The value of adding connections on Jobcase

Have you ever heard the expression it’s not always what you know, but who you know?

What they were really talking about is the importance of building and maintaining connections both personally and professionally.

Having connections in your work life gives you access to a network of individuals to build your career, references, and when you're looking for a new job.

Jobcase now offers a very simple and fast way for you to connect with others here in our community and beyond! Let's first take a look at why building connections is so important.

Why should I connect with others?

Many people think that the only way to find jobs is to search online job boards and blast your customized resume out to hundreds of openings.

While this is certainly the most common approach, it’s not the only method. Another frequent way career changers land a new job is through a referral. That is, someone in their personal or professional network recommended them to their manager for an open position.

That’s where the real value lies in creating great connections on Jobcase.

When you expand your network, you’re improving the likelihood that you’ll be recommended for jobs or that others will come across an opening and send a link your way.

This can be true even if you aren’t actively looking for a job, which is often when those great opportunities come up!

More than that, growing your network on Jobcase allows you to refer connections to jobs at your workplace (scoring some brownie points and maybe even a referral bonus).

A network is also helpful for obtaining career advice (perhaps you’re unsure what to do about a specific problem at work, so you ask your connection for help) and for learning about new jobs and industries you weren’t previously aware of.

Check out a few techniques to find connections at the places you want to work at and how to effectively reach out to them.

Can my connections help me land a job?

Connections are incredibly important to growing and maintaining your personal and professional network.

73% of professionals say they’ve been hired through connections before, and close to 85% of all new jobs are obtained through a personal or professional connection.

(Image Source)

Many of those who’ve been hired based on a connection say even just a casual conversation has led to a new opportunity.

Reaching out to build those connections is critical because you never know where one may lead! Learn more about how building connections can help you land a job.

How do I connect with someone on Jobcase?

Connecting with others on Jobcase is easy, and the great news is that most members are open to expanding their network and finding new connections.

Here’s how to start.

1. Start with people you already know

An easy way to begin is to connect with people you already know. You can do so by clicking the “add your personal contacts” button here to quickly find and connect with them.

(Image Source)

2. Connect with people who interest you

While you’re scrolling through the community, you may come across someone really inspiring or interesting. Go ahead and click on their name.

This will take you right to their profile so you can read more about them. If you still like what you see, click the “Connect” button under their name.

(Image Source)

Connecting is a two-way street, so they must accept your invitation to connect.

You can check in to see who has already connected with you as well as those who wish to connect in the connections section of your profile.

3. Search for someone

Let’s say you remember seeing someone’s post or a comment they made, and you forgot to connect, but you remember their name. No problem!

Simply search for them here.

(Image Source)

Once you find their profile, connect with them!

TIP: Make sure to have a profile picture uploaded to your Jobcase profile. No one likes to connect with an individual if they can’t see their face.

Learn more about this and how to pick out the perfect profile picture here.

Get networking!

Follow the steps we’ve just discussed to grow and expand your network and connect with other like-minded individuals on Jobcase who might be able to help you develop your career and land a new job.

Remember, Jobcase is a community. The more you give to the community by way of engagement in online discussions, the more you’ll get out of it (and the more connections you’ll make along the way).

Head to the Jobcase community board here and get talking!