Groupon HR Tip #5: Network Network Network!

Posted by Hailey on Feb 1, 2011 in News | 5 comments

It’s not only about what you know, it’s about who you know. And that is why knowing how to network effectively is crucial.

On Thursday 27 January Groupon took part in London Business School’s on-campus Career Fair. Myself and Max were joined by our CEO Chris and directors Emanuel and Rajen for the 3 hour event that had us meeting more than 350 students interested in hearing more about what Groupon has to offer.
However, the fair reminded me of a few crucial points that would be good to share whether you are meeting the CEO of your potential future company or setting up your profile on LinkedIn.

• Do your homework. Always do research on companies you are dying to work for before making first contact. I cannot tell you how bad it looks when someone comes up and says they really want to work for Groupon then asks me what it is we do.
• Be proactive. Get your name (and CV!) out there. Don’t be shy to approach someone who works for a company you are really interested in- whether it is in person at an event or through an Inmail on LinkedIN. Employers like initiative!
• Always follow up. If you have met a really great connection either at a networking event or while on a train home to visit your family, always follow-up a few days later with a “nice to meet” you e-mail with your CV attached (if you are looking for work). That keeps you fresh in their mind and also shows….yup, you guessed it…initiative!
• Get involved. If you are interested in a career in Social Media (for example) but you have never held employment in that particular field get out there to meet contacts and let them know how keen you are to gain work experience. Sign up for conventions, talks or lectures. Most professional communities are “small” so the more you get out there, the more connections you make while seeing familiar faces over and over again.

So go ahead, yet another step towards taking the job world by storm. Get your LinkedIN profile up to scratch now by visiting www.linkedin.com and create a profile to use when networking with other business professionals. If you already have an account great job, you are on your way! Now it is time to grow your network- so don’t be shy, feel free to send me an ‘Invite to Connect’ and check out our shared connections. I bet you’ll be surprised to see who we both have in our networks!

You don’t need to be a high-flying suited professional to network. You just need to be confident, proactive and show a lot of initiative. In a tough job market but getting out there to show you have the drive to go the extra mile- before you are even hired by a company- really stands out and it leaves a lasting impression.

I hope you take advantage of these tips – do have a look at our current vacancies too, who knows – maybe we’ll see you in the office tomorrow!

Photography: Tychay and amodiovalerioverde