With all of this focus on internet social media – it’s easy to lose sight of those tried and true methods of decades past.  

In recent years, it seems like everywhere you look the term “Social Networking” is staring you right in the face. Stories abound from recruiters and jobseekers alike telling of how their latest social media experience lead to that last “great” hire. But what about back in the day of the dinosaur: before Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn dominated the marketplace? How did people network for jobs before social media? Did people really have to *gasp* meet face-to-face??? It seems like a foreign concept – yet recently, I’ve discovered that face-to-face networking events are making a bit of a comeback. And you know what else? I think they actually work better. 

After a suggestion from one of my out-of-work friends, I decided to try out a networking event known as the Seattle Job Social, which is held monthly at Twist Lounge in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood (if you’re interested in relocating – Belltown has great nightlife, just FYI). While I’d been to my share of job fairs, this was my first social networking event, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

I was fortunate in that my friend had attended previously and gave me a little background information – but I was still under-prepared for the sheer volume of attendance and the constant flow of people wanting to talk shop. A lot of these conversations were difficult for me, as I specialize in Software Development recruiting. I didn’t have a lot of input when it came to topics around sales, marketing or finance. Most of these conversations were more of a learning opportunity for me, and the best I could do was offer to try to connect people with someone else I know. In fact, I met so many people that I’m still working on following up and researching where to connect them all.
 
At the end of the event, I did end up collecting a fair number of resumes and business cards – however, one of the most valuable resumes came days after the event and not even from a candidate interested in a job! Instead, it was from someone I had been networking with who caught what I was looking for and actually happened to know someone else who fit the bill (BTW - Thanks Steve!). That referral turned out to be a fit for an SDET position in one of my teams and we ended up interviewing and making him an offer! This just goes to show that you never know which conversation might lead to that next great opportunity.  

Overall, the event was a wonderful experience for me and has really changed my opinion of what to expect from in-person networking events. If you ever get the opportunity to attend such an event, I’d definitely recommend at least giving it a try.

-Kenji

PS: Next month, I’m traveling to Washington, DC for an interview event and would love to hear from you if you’re in the area. I’ll also be a regular attendee at Seattle Job Social each month – so feel free to stop by and say “hi” if you’re in town!