The evolving role of technology in recruitment

February 6, 2024

The evolution of technology in recruitment has significantly transformed the way companies attract, engage, and hire top talent.

Many innovative tools and platforms, from AI-powered candidate screening systems to sophisticated recruitment software, have driven this transformation.

These are designed to streamline processes, automate time-consuming tasks, enhance efficiency, and ultimately deliver better hiring outcomes.

In this blog, we will discuss the role of AI in transforming recruitment practices. We will also cover the many benefits of using recruitment technology, including streamlining and automation, facilitating remote recruitment, and providing data-driven insights.

Lastly, we’ll delve into the challenges recruitment technology presents to the sector and the latest AI developments. This covers advanced candidate matching systems, gamified assessment tools, video interviewing software, recruitment marketing platforms, and future tech for recruiters.

To understand the true impact of technology in recruitment, we should really start at the beginning. So, before we delve into the latest developments in tech, let’s start by taking a closer look at the rise of technology in recruitment!

The rise of technology in recruitment

Historical perspective on the use of technology in recruitment

The recruitment industry has a rich history, with its roots dating back to ancient times. However, the arrival of technology significantly transformed the way recruitment is conducted.

In the early days, recruitment was a manual process, heavily reliant on physical job advertisements, paper CVs, and face-to-face interviews. The birth of social media and the digital revolution marked a significant turning point, making recruitment a lot more interactive.

The 1970s saw a shift in the recruitment landscape, with agencies transitioning from working with job seekers to working for companies. Large corporations began outsourcing their recruitment processes, marking the beginning of the modern recruitment industry.

Shifting from traditional methods to tech-driven strategies

The rise of the internet in the late 20th century brought about a seismic shift in recruitment strategies. The traditional methods of newspaper advertisements and walk-in interviews gave way to online job portals and email applications.

Advancements in tech have led to cloud-based recruitment technology and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which automated, improved, and streamlined the recruiting process.

Today, technology has revolutionised how employers and recruiters find potential candidates. The shift from traditional methods to tech-driven strategies has been facilitated by a host of innovative platforms and tools designed to enhance efficiency and deliver better hiring outcomes.

The role of AI in modern recruitment practices

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed HR and the recruitment industry, reshaping traditional practices and introducing new efficiencies.

AI helps automate data collection and analysis, enabling recruiters to efficiently process large volumes of information and identify potential red flags or discrepancies.

This has significantly reduced the time-to-hire and improved the quality of hires.

AI recruitment can also minimise hiring bias. By focusing on objective criteria, AI provides a more comprehensive and fair assessment of a candidate’s background. This has led to more diverse and inclusive workplaces, which are known to foster innovation and drive business performance.

Moreover, AI has revolutionised the candidate sourcing and pre-selection stages of the recruitment process.

AI-powered tools can sift through thousands of resumes in a fraction of the time it would take a human recruiter to identify the most suitable candidates based on the job requirements. This streamlines the recruitment process and ensures that no potential candidate is overlooked.

AI is also transforming the way recruiters engage with candidates. AI-powered chatbots, for instance, can provide real-time responses to candidate queries, improving the candidate experience and freeing up recruiters to focus on more strategic tasks.

Overall, AI is playing a pivotal role in modernising recruitment practices, driving efficiencies, reducing bias, and enhancing the overall quality of hires. As AI technology continues to evolve, its impact on the recruitment industry is set to grow, offering exciting possibilities for the future.

How AI and new tech for recruiters are transforming the hiring process

The role of AI in candidate sourcing, screening, and engagement

AI has technology in recruitment and here’s how: AI-powered recruiting uses algorithms to locate specific keywords in an applicant’s resume, thus helping hiring managers in intelligent candidate screening. This process, often referred to as ‘semantic search’, goes beyond simple keyword matching. It understands the context and the intent behind the words in a resume, allowing it to match candidates to job descriptions more accurately. This has significantly reduced the time-to-hire, with some companies reporting a 70% reduction in hiring time. Moreover, AI’s role in candidate screening extends to the evaluation of a candidate’s soft skills, such as communication and teamwork.

By analysing a candidate’s language use, tone, and speech patterns, AI can provide insights into these crucial yet often overlooked aspects of their profile.

The use of predictive analytics in making informed recruitment decisions

Predictive analytics is a powerful tool that is revolutionising the recruitment industry. By analysing historical data, predictive analytics can help recruiters make more informed decisions about which candidates are likely to succeed in a particular role. This streamlines the recruitment process and ensures the best candidates for each role are selected.

Predictive analytics works by identifying patterns in past recruitment data and using these patterns to predict future outcomes. This could include predicting which candidates are most likely to accept a job offer, which will perform well in a role, or which candidates will likely stay with the company in the long term.

One of the key benefits of predictive analytics is that it can significantly improve the quality of hires. By accurately predicting a candidate’s potential for success and fit within the organisation, predictive analytics can contribute to higher employee retention rates.

Hiring candidates who are more likely to thrive in their roles enhances job satisfaction, engagement, and long-term commitment.

Moreover, predictive analytics can help companies forecast hiring needs based on growth projections and employee turnover rates. This allows companies to proactively source candidates and reduce the time to fill critical roles.

The role of chatbots in improving the candidate experience

Chatbots are transforming the recruitment process, particularly in the initial stages. These AI-powered tools can provide instant responses to candidate queries, provide updates on the application process, and schedule interviews.

They can even interact with candidates in real-time, answering queries and providing information about the company and the role. This improves the candidate experience and allows recruiters to focus on more complex tasks.

Chatbots can analyse resumes and profiles, match candidates to suitable roles, and provide immediate feedback. This automation reduces manual effort for recruiters by automating repetitive tasks such as sending reminders, providing application process updates, shortening time-to-hire, and ensuring only the most qualified candidates proceed to the next stage.

The benefits of using recruitment technology

Streamlining and automation

Technology in recruitment has the power to streamline administrative tasks, freeing up valuable time for recruiters. With the help of AI and automation, tasks such as scheduling interviews, sending follow-up emails, and updating candidate information can be handled efficiently.

This allows recruiters to focus on more strategic aspects of their role, such as building relationships and developing effective recruitment strategies.

Facilitating remote recruitment

With the rise of remote work, technology has made it possible to recruit candidates worldwide. Video interviewing tools, virtual job fairs, and online onboarding programs have made recruiting, hiring, and onboarding candidates remotely easier.

This expands the talent pool and allows companies to hire the best candidates, regardless of their location.

Providing data-driven insights

Technology in recruitment also provides valuable data-driven insights that can help improve the recruitment process. For instance, analytics can provide information on the most effective recruitment channels, the average time-to-hire, and the quality of hires. These insights can help recruiters make informed decisions and continuously improve their recruitment strategies.

In conclusion, the use of technology in recruitment offers numerous benefits, from streamlining administrative tasks and enhancing employer branding to facilitating remote recruitment and providing data-driven insights. As technology continues to evolve, its impact on the recruitment industry is set to grow, offering exciting possibilities for the future.

The challenges of using technology in recruitment

Potential for bias in AI recruitment tools

While AI has the potential to reduce human bias in recruitment, it’s not entirely free from bias itself. AI algorithms are trained on data that may contain inherent biases, and these biases can be perpetuated and even amplified in the recruitment process.

For instance, if an AI tool is trained on data from a company that has historically hired a certain demographic of candidates, the tool may favour similar candidates in the future, potentially excluding qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds.

One example is when a hiring manager favours candidates with a specific education (a Harvard graduate over one from Oxford).

Suppose the AI algorithm is taught that these are the only worthwhile candidates. In that case, it will exclude more qualified candidates if they don’t graduate from Harvard.

In this way, unconscious bias can easily be trained into an AI recruitment tool.

The risk of over-reliance on tech and loss of human touch

While technology can streamline the recruitment process, there’s a risk of over-reliance on these tools at the expense of human interaction.

Recruitment is not just about matching skills to job requirements; it’s also about building relationships and assessing cultural fit, which requires human judgment. Over-reliance on technology can make the recruitment process feel impersonal for candidates, potentially impacting a company’s employer brand.

Challenges in keeping up with rapidly evolving technology trends

The pace of technological change presents another challenge. As new tools and technologies emerge, recruiters need to update their skills and knowledge to stay ahead continually.

This requires ongoing training and development, which can be time-consuming and costly. Additionally, implementing new technologies can disrupt existing processes and require significant change to management efforts.

Thinking machines are as smart as people

We tend to think machines and AI-powered tools are as intelligent as humans because they work so well. But they are only as good as their most recent update or how well they process data that day. We need to be aware of our own inherent bias of thinking machines are as smart as we are.

How many times has Google Maps taken you the wrong way, and you followed it because it told you to, even though you knew it was wrong?

While we can rely on AI technology in recruitment to help us in many ways, we need to remember that it doesn’t have the complex thought process humans do. It will never truly understand how years of experience in several different roles and fields can make a candidate a better choice for a position over someone that has followed a linear career path.

AI doesn’t understand nuance. Recruitment technology should always assist us, not replace human intelligence.

While technology offers numerous benefits in recruitment, it’s important to be aware of potential drawbacks. By understanding these challenges, companies can take steps to mitigate them and ensure that they leverage technology effectively in their recruitment processes.

The latest developments in recruitment technology

Candidate matching systems

Advanced candidate matching systems, also known as applicant tracking systems, or ATS are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using AI and machine learning to match candidates to job vacancies with greater precision.

These systems can analyse a wide range of data, including skills, experience, and even personality traits to find the best match.

These systems can analyse a wide range of candidate data beyond just skills and experience. It can also look at personality traits, cultural fit, and even career aspirations. This comprehensive analysis allows for a more holistic assessment of candidates, leading to better matches and ultimately better hiring outcomes.

ATS are highly scalable, making them suitable for companies of all sizes. They can handle large volumes of data and can be used to screen thousands of resumes in a short time. This makes them particularly useful for large-scale recruitment drives.

Gamified assessment tools

Gamified assessment tools are a new trend in recruitment technology. These tools use game elements to assess a candidate’s skills and abilities in a fun and engaging way. They can provide valuable insights into a candidate’s problem-solving abilities, creativity, and teamwork skills.

This recruitment technology is an interactive way to assess an applicant’s technical knowledge and soft skills, making the process more enjoyable and attracting top talent. It can also help to differentiate a company from its competitors, enhancing its employer brand.

Some people can talk a big game, but don’t always have the skills to back up what they say they can do. While other candidates may lack the ability to sell themselves in interviews but are very technically skilled and highly qualified. Gamified assessment tools give recruiters and employers a chance to see for themselves what candidates are capable of.

They can also provide a more objective assessment of candidates, unlike traditional interviews, which can be influenced by unconscious bias. Gamified assessments provide a standardised measure of a candidate’s skills and abilities.

Video interviewing software

Video interviewing software is becoming a standard tool in the recruitment process, especially with the rise of remote work. Platforms like HireVue, Harver or even Teams allow recruiters to conduct live interviews with candidates anywhere in the world, but they can also record interviews for later review and use AI to analyse candidate responses.

Video interviewing software is particularly beneficial for remote onboarding. It allows companies to conduct interviews, provide company orientations, and even conduct training sessions remotely. This is especially important for onboarding a global workforce, as it allows companies to reach candidates regardless of their geographical location. This not only saves time and resources but also allows companies to tap into a wider talent pool.

This technology can also play a significant role in boosting diversity and inclusion, by allowing companies to interview candidates from all over the world, eliminating geographical barriers and opening opportunities for people who are restricted to working from home due to medical reasons, carer responsibilities or physical limitations.

Recruitment marketing platforms

Recruitment marketing platforms are emerging as a key tool in attracting top talent. These platforms allow companies to create engaging employer brand content and distribute it across multiple channels, including social media, email, and job boards. They can also track the effectiveness of recruitment marketing campaigns and provide insights to improve future efforts.

By distributing content across multiple channels, recruitment marketing platforms help companies expand their reach and engage with a wider pool of potential candidates. Whether it’s through social media, email, or job boards, these platforms ensure that a company’s brand and job opportunities are visible to as many people as possible.

Recruitment marketing platforms also provide valuable data and analytics that can inform recruitment strategies. They can track the performance of different content types, channels, and campaigns, providing insight into what works best for reaching potential candidates. This data can be used to refine recruitment strategies and make them more effective.

The future of recruitment technology

Looking ahead, we can expect to see further advancements in recruitment technology. For instance, augmented reality could be used to provide virtual office tours, giving candidates a more immersive experience of the company culture. Additionally, blockchain technology could potentially be used for verifying candidate credentials, ensuring the authenticity and accuracy of the information provided by candidates.

The latest developments in recruitment technology are set to revolutionise the recruitment process, making it more efficient, effective, and candidate-friendly. As these technologies continue to evolve, they will undoubtedly shape the future of recruitment.

Conclusion

The role of technology in recruitment has seen a significant evolution, transforming the way companies attract, engage, and hire top talent. From advanced candidate matching systems and gamified assessment tools to AI recruitment tools, chatbots and recruitment marketing platforms, technology is reshaping the recruitment landscape.

These technologies offer numerous benefits, including increased efficiency, improved candidate experience, and enhanced ability to reach a wider pool of candidates. They also provide valuable data and insights that can inform recruitment strategies and decision-making.

In this context, working with tech-savvy recruiters becomes a strategic advantage for both candidates and companies. Technology recruiters, adept at leveraging the latest recruitment technology, can streamline the hiring process, ensuring that companies find the right fit efficiently. They utilise technology in recruitment to its fullest potential, from AI recruitment tools for intelligent screening to tech for recruiters that assists with candidate engagement and onboarding.

For candidates, these recruitment agencies offer a seamless and engaging experience, often enabled by AI and other innovative technologies. They ensure that candidates are matched with roles that align with their skills, experiences, and aspirations, thereby improving job satisfaction and retention in the long run.

However, while the benefits of technology in recruitment are clear, it’s equally important to maintain a balance with traditional, human-led strategies. Technology can support and enhance the recruitment process, but it can’t replace the human touch. Personal interactions, intuitive judgement, and relationship-building are central to recruitment and still play a crucial role.

As we move forward, recruiters should embrace the opportunities that technology offers, while also recognising the value of human connection. By striking the right balance, they can leverage the best of both worlds to attract the best talent.

In the ever-evolving world of recruitment, staying abreast of the latest technologies and trends is key. It’s clear that technology will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the recruitment industry. However, it’s the combination of technology and human insight that will truly drive success in recruitment.

This post was written by: Charlotte Bosley-Plumb, Content Marketing Coordinator

Source: https://www.airswift.com/blog/technology-in-recruitment

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8 lessons you can learn from business leaders

July 1, 2024

Lessons learned in business introduction Whether you’re a junior member of the team or at management level, a continual learning attitude and understating business lessons is key to career success. If you want to fast-track your progress up the career ladder, it’s important to look to your true business leaders and learn from their actions. Not only will this encourage you to carry yourself like a workplace leader, but it will also highlight differences between good and bad management . This is especially important when one wants to see great success in business. Although businesses fail, being equipped with the write business lessons can avoid risk and increase the likelihood of success. Here are eight key biggest lessons to learn from business leaders. 1. How to motivate people Watching your leaders, or considering past experiences with your manager, can give you great insights into the right things to say and do to motivate colleagues or direct reports. You can learn life lessons they've learned in business and understand how to avoid bad habits in the long run to maximize the success for any company. What’s important to remember is that every person is different with different core values and a sense of their own path – and their motivational drivers can change from week to week, depending on workload levels. While one person might benefit from tough love, others may require a gentler approach. Great leaders take the time to get to know their team members’ personalities and motivators, and how they each react to different communication styles. Motivating people is a key skill for any successful business leader to succeed. One of the life lessons we can learn from business leaders is the importance of creating a strong culture that fosters a sense of purpose, passion, belonging, and accountability. By aligning employees' goals and values with the company's mission, leaders can inspire them to take ownership of their work and strive for excellence. In addition, effective leaders recognize the power of recognition and rewards, which can help to incentivize and motivate employees to achieve their goals. By cultivating a culture of positivity and growth, business leaders can build a motivated and engaged workforce that drives innovation and success. Although there are many life lessons learned in business, another important life lesson we can learn from business leaders is the value of stepping out of one's comfort zone to achieve success. Leaders recognize that complacency can be a major obstacle to growth, and they encourage their teams to take risks and embrace change. By fostering a culture of experimentation and learning, business leaders can help their employees overcome fear of failure and develop resilience. This not only motivates employees to push themselves to new heights, but it also enables the organization to innovate and stay ahead of the competition. Thus, business leaders understand that by creating a culture that encourages stepping outside of one's comfort zone, they can create a motivated and dynamic workforce that is poised for success. 2. How to nail your organisational skills Organisational skills are critical for most roles, and it’s important to learn what works for you from the outset so you can be as productive as possible. Business leaders – often the busiest or having the fullest plate compared to most staff members – will have many techniques about how to remain organised. Not all of these will work for you as we all have different styles of working. But having conversations with your manager and other leaders about how they stay organised – on a day-to-day level and when work gets incredibly busy – can quickly teach you about which approaches you’d like to try out and assess if they helped you stick to schedule. RELATED: What are soft skills? 3. How to have difficult conversations Most people don’t enjoy having difficult conversations at work and find the situation awkward. However, these are unavoidable for managers, and it’s crucial to know how to approach these conversations delicately. Good business leaders take a diplomatic approach to difficult conversations and allow the individual to have their say. Talking through problems rather than dictating a change is more productive and will allow you to build better rapport with your team members. 4. How to say ‘no’ tactfully Business leaders often negotiate with partners, clients, and third-party providers – it comes with the territory. At times, this means having to say ‘no’ to requests. Good leaders know how to approach these situations in a way that doesn’t cause upset or worse, ruin relationships. This is especially significant when your a business owner. For instance, rather than saying, “We can’t do this for you”, they might say, “We will review our current workloads and priorities and come back to you next week with a proposal to move this forward”. When it's your own business saying no and managing expectations are important lessons learned and often come naturally as you progress through your own personal development. RELATED: How a leader can gain better engagement with their team 5. How to embrace change Any workplace-related change can be unnerving, particularly when it’s significant. But the responsibility falls on the leader to guide their team through any changes, whilst boosting productivity and ensuring everyone feels comfortable within their role. A great leader will welcome times of change as an opportunity and provide the groundwork for their team members to be creative, innovative and resilient. These are business lessons learned over time. It's also important to stay up to date with business news, customer insights 6. How to accept criticism Criticism can be difficult to hear, even when it is constructive. Business leaders often receive the most criticism at work because they’re ultimately accountable and responsible for the business performance and the performance of their team. But a great leader knows how to accept feedback, learn from their mistakes, and use the experience to their advantage for a successful outcome next time. 7. How to treat people as individuals Individual differences – and therefore experiences and insights – are what drive businesses forward to develop innovative new idea. The most effective workplace leaders embrace, and are highly considerate of, their employees’ unique personalities and working styles. If you can learn how to do this as a manager, you’ll be rewarded with a team that’s motivated, feel comfortable sharing their input, and is committed to success. 8. How to be empathetic Empathy is grounded in understanding rather than judgement, and it’s a trait shared by some of the most successful business leaders. In fact, studies have shown that empathetic leaders are rewarded with higher-performing teams, better quality work output and more loyal team members. Empathy is ultimately the ability to understand others’ emotions, so as you progress in your career and work with all sorts of people, you’ll need to continually develop this important interpersonal skill just like any other skill you learn and get better at on the job. Applying empathy to employees, as well as customers problems will take you far. Source: https://www.pagepersonnel.com.au/advice/career-and-management/career-progression/8-lessons-you-can-learn-from-business-leaders

How to build a professional network for career development

June 26, 2024

The changing job market requires professionals to be adaptable and continuously learn new skills to stay competitive. Networking can help navigate this dynamic landscape by providing access to job opportunities, industry insights, and mentorship. In this article, we cover: What is networking? How to build a professional network How to expand your network reach The art of effective networking Nurture your network for long-term success Where to find people to network with Grow your career with Airswift What is networking? All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to, those people they know, like and trust. - Bob Burg Networking is not just a single action but a process involving multiple elements working together. It's not primarily about making sales ; selling may naturally follow from successful networking efforts. When you network, you're part of a larger team where everyone plays a valuable role. Your network comprises the people you've connected with through work and personal interactions. Building strong relationships is at the core of networking because these connections often lead to valuable referrals. Behind every referral is someone who vouches for your credibility, building trust in your abilities. Professional networking goes beyond collecting business cards; it fosters genuine connections and creates a mutually beneficial ecosystem. A strong network is invaluable for established professionals, offering many benefits beyond job hunting, such as access to industry insights, mentorship, and career advancement opportunities. How to build a professional network Identify your goals Defining your career aspirations and areas of interest is crucial to building a robust professional network. You can tailor your networking strategy to align with your career objectives by identifying your goals. For example, if you're interested in shifting industries or pursuing leadership roles , you can focus on connecting with professionals in those fields. This approach ensures that your networking efforts are focused and effective, helping you build a network that supports your career goals. Leverage existing connections Reconnecting with former colleagues, classmates, and professional acquaintances is an excellent way to expand your network. These individuals already know you and your work, making it easier to establish a connection. Additionally, seeking introductions from senior leaders or mentors within your current company can help you connect with influential individuals in your field. These connections can provide valuable insights, mentorship, and opportunities for career advancement. Informational interviews Informational interviews offer a wealth of industry insights and networking opportunities. Start by contacting professionals in your interest and expressing your desire to learn from their experiences. Prepare thoughtful questions to guide the conversation, listen actively, and express gratitude for their time. Keep in touch with interviewees to maintain connections and share updates on your progress. These interviews are valuable resources for exploring career paths and expanding your professional network. Expanding your network reach Participate in industry events Attending conferences, workshops, and industry gatherings relevant to your field can provide high-quality networking opportunities. These events offer a chance to meet like-minded professionals, learn about the latest industry trends, and establish yourself as a thought leader. Focus on events that provide targeted networking opportunities, such as roundtable discussions, workshops, or networking receptions. This approach ensures that your networking efforts are focused and effective, helping you build a network that supports your career goals. Engage with professional organisations Joining industry associations, alumni networks, or leadership councils can help you increase your visibility and connect with like-minded professionals. Participating in committees or volunteering for leadership roles can further enhance your networking efforts. These opportunities allow you to demonstrate your expertise, build your brand, and establish yourself as a leader in your field. Cultivate an online presence Optimising your LinkedIn profile with relevant keywords and accomplishments can help you establish a professional image and attract potential connections. Sharing thought leadership content and engaging in industry discussions online can also help you build your brand and establish yourself as an expert. Building a solid online presence can help you expand your network reach, connect with like-minded professionals, and establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. Second, participation fosters professional growth by granting access to valuable resources and opportunities. Engaging in online communities like industry forums, Slack groups, and niche social media groups can provide access to a pool of individuals with common interests, facilitating meaningful connections. Thirdly, it allows individuals to showcase their expertise, amplify their brand, and expand their horizons by connecting with diverse people. Additionally, active involvement helps individuals stay current with industry trends, fostering personal growth and career advancement. Lastly, online communities enable building lasting relationships and friendships, enhancing networking experiences. The art of effective networking Make meaningful connections Networking has its rules, mainly centred around being a connector. A connector is someone others turn to for help. Networking isn't about you but the value your connections can offer. Focusing on helping others deepens relationships and creates goodwill. Networking is about who your connections know and the potential value they bring. Keep in mind that different industries have different norms. Observing interactions at events can help tailor your approach. Being too aggressive can deter people, so adapt your tone to suit the industry's nature. Research individuals beforehand and find common ground for conversation. Focus on building genuine relationships and offering value to your connections. By prioritising quality over quantity, you can create a network that supports your career goals and offers long-term benefits. Be a master communicator Honing your elevator pitch to articulate your career goals and expertise succinctly is essential for effective networking. Practice active listening and ask insightful questions to demonstrate a genuine interest in your connections. By being a master communicator, you can establish a solid first impression, build rapport, and establish a connection that supports your career goals . Here are ten questions you could ask that demonstrate genuine interest and curiosity and get a conversation started and going: What got you interested in your line of work? Could you tell me about a moment in your career that stood out? What's the best part of what you do? How do you see our industry changing soon? Have you ever faced a tough challenge at work that you overcame? Any good reads or resources that have inspired your approach to your job? If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting in our field, what would it be? Is anything exciting happening in your projects lately? How do you balance your job and personal life? What networking tips do you swear by for making meaningful connections? Body language is universal Body language is aessential aspect to effective communication during networking events. Positive body language can convey confidence, engagement, and interest. It can also help establish a connection with the other person, making the conversation more enjoyable and productive. On the other hand, negative body language can convey disinterest, discomfort, or lack of confidence. Here are 10 steps to being aware of your body language and consciously displaying positive body language during networking events: Maintain eye contact with the person you're speaking to. This shows attentiveness and confidence. Wear a genuine smile to convey warmth and approachability. It helps in creating a positive atmosphere during conversations. Use non-verbal cues such as nodding to show you're actively listening and engaged. It encourages others to continue sharing. Keep your body language open by avoiding crossing your arms, which can signal defensiveness or disinterest. Minimise fidgeting or restless movements. This conveys nervousness or lack of confidence. Instead, try to maintain a relaxed posture. Subtly mirror the body language of the person you speak to to establish rapport and build a connection. Respect personal space boundaries and avoid standing too close, as it can make others uncomfortable. Use appropriate hand gestures to emphasise points or express enthusiasm, but avoid excessive or distracting movements. Before attending networking events, practice your body language to become more aware of your non-verbal cues. Ask for feedback from trusted individuals on your body language to identify areas for improvement. Approach people Networking can be daunting, but the right approach is a valuable tool for building meaningful connections and advancing professionally. Here are actionable steps to help overcome fears, focus on helping others, and cultivate authentic interactions, ensuring that each conversation is a mutually beneficial exchange: Acknowledge any fear of talking to new people, but don't let it control you. Remember that each conversation is an opportunity to help someone in ways they may not even realise they need. Approach conversations with courage, focusing on how you can assist the other person rather than your fears or desires. Avoid desperation by genuinely focusing on the needs of others. This will shift the conversation away from what you can gain and how you can contribute. Engage fully in conversations by actively listening, nodding, agreeing, commenting, and asking thoughtful questions. This demonstrates your interest and investment in the interaction. Do not dominate conversations with stories about yourself. Instead, maintain a balanced dialogue in which both parties have an opportunity to contribute. Be genuine and authentic in all interactions. Authenticity fosters trust and attracts others to you, leading to meaningful connections. Maintain consistency in your behaviour and interactions. People appreciate knowing what to expect from you, which builds trust and reliability over time. Tell your story Storytelling is a powerful tool in networking. It can help create a personal connection with others, establish credibility, and make a memorable impression. Individuals can showcase their skills, values, and achievements by crafting compelling narratives about their career journey. Here are some actionable steps towards great storytelling with networking in mind: Tailor your story to resonate with your audience's interests, values, and needs. Share genuine experiences and emotions to establish credibility and build trust. Focus on the key aspects of your career journey, highlighting relevant skills, values, and achievements. Use vivid details and compelling anecdotes to make your story memorable and engaging. Rehearse your story to ensure clarity, coherence, and confidence in delivery. After sharing your story, follow up with a clear purpose, whether seeking further discussion, collaboration, or referrals. The power of follow-up A study by LinkedIn found that connecting on LinkedIn and sending personalised follow-up emails within 24-48 hours can help you maintain the momentum of your initial connection. Briefly recap your conversation and offer to connect them with relevant resources. Following up after a networking event is essential for building long-term relationships and establishing yourself as a valuable connection. Nurturing your network for long-term success Become a resource Offer your expertise and knowledge to support your network members. Recommend them for opportunities or make relevant introductions. By becoming a resource for your connections, you can build long-term relationships, establish trust, and establish yourself as a valuable connection. Maintain regular engagement Stay connected by sharing industry updates and congratulating them on their achievements. Schedule periodic coffee chats or virtual meetings to maintain relationships and demonstrate your commitment to building a solid network. By maintaining regular engagement, you can build long-term relationships, establish trust, and establish yourself as a valuable connection. Reciprocity is key Networking is a two-way street. Be genuinely helpful and supportive to build trust and long-term connections. By practising reciprocity, you can establish a mutually beneficial relationship that supports your career goals and offers long-term benefits. Competition can be healthy When faced with competition in a networking setting, consider this scenario: You're one of several fishbowl salespeople at an event with 1000 attendees. Being yourself naturally attracts those with whom you share a connection or interest. It's essential to recognise that there's enough opportunity for everyone present. Rather than pursuing every potential lead, focus on those who resonate with you. Look for individuals who could become long-term partners, providing ongoing business beyond just one transaction. Ask yourself: Do I genuinely enjoy this person's company? Could we see ourselves collaborating for years to come? Networking is a marathon, not a sprint. For sustained success, prioritise building relationships based on mutual trust and compatibility. Where to find people to network with Finding people to network with is simpler than you might think – they're everywhere! Here’s how: Begin engaging with those closest to you, such as friends and family. Practice delivering a concise elevator pitch highlighting your interests without dominating the conversation. Instead, focus on learning about others by asking genuine questions and showing interest in their experiences. Use everyday situations, like waiting in line at the bank or chatting with fellow gym-goers, to practice your networking skills. Consider joining community associations, Chambers of Commerce, or trade organisations and attend trade shows to connect with like-minded individuals. Remember to be approachable, friendly, and genuinely interested in others beyond what they can offer you. As you engage with more people, networking becomes more natural and enjoyable. Three questions to ask every person to guarantee a follow-up meeting post-networking Towards the end of a conversation, once you have all the information you can get about someone, ask the following questions: Are you looking for new clients/prospects at this time? What sets you apart from your competition? What does your ideal client look like? If this is the case, let them know you have some people who could use their services or need their help. Ask if they might be interested in getting their details. If it’s a yes, arrange a meeting time and follow through on your promise to help. When you show up for your meeting, pass on that referral or the name of a great contact to them. Doing so creates trust and a relationship, proving that you can and will help when you can. This makes them want to do the same for the other person, and you are now truly part of their network. Grow your career with Airswift 85% of all jobs are filled through networking , highlighting its importance in landing jobs. A strategic professional network is crucial for career advancement, providing access to opportunities, mentorship, and industry insights. However, building and maintaining a solid network can be challenging, with time management and introversion being common obstacles. To overcome these challenges, prioritise networking activities that align with your career goals, leverage existing connections, and allocate time for networking activities. Whether you're looking to advance your career, explore new opportunities, or stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends, Airswift has the expertise and resources to help you succeed. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your professional growth. Source: https://www.airswift.com/blog/professional-networking