Job Market in Spain for Graduates

18 Friday May 2012

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Finding graduate work in Spain is currently very difficult as unemployment is extremely high. In February 2012 it passed 23.6% giving the country the highest unemployment rate in the euro zone. You will be competing in a large market of Spanish graduates. Foreign graduates may find it easier to secure work in Spain’s consulting, industry and computer science sectors. These sectors are undergoing a huge process of globalization and offer opportunities to graduates fluent in Spanish and English.

  • Typical problems encountered: language requirements (see below); getting access to the ‘hidden job market’; the amount of experience required for graduate roles (usually two-three years); and legal restrictions for non-EU graduates.
  • How to improve your chances: make as many contacts as possible. Do not underestimate the importance of networking. Enquiries to companies who work in your field are one way to make contacts. If you are looking for a professional level job, remember that it is a competitive market so your experience and skills must be impressive.
  • Language requirements: if you do not have a working knowledge of Spanish (Castilian), job options are extremely limited except in areas such as tourism and teaching English. Multinational companies may sometimes offer jobs where Spanish is not essential and work for non-Spanish speakers is sometimes available within the ex-pat community. If you are seeking work in the Catalan, Basque, Galician or Valencian regions, you may be expected to speak the local language (all these languages are officially recognized by the Spanish government). Courses may also be offered by your university or local language institutes, or local city council centres. Your local library may have Spanish learning resources as well and you could learn Spanish while doing work experience in Spain.
  • Major industries: retail/wholesale, manufacturing (especially chemicals, metals, food, motor vehicles), construction, real estate, transport, tourism.
  • Recent growth areas: service sector, hotels and restaurants, IT and hi-tech industries.
  • Industries in decline: construction, real estate, agriculture.
  • Shortage occupations: skilled trades, mechanics, restaurant/hotel staff, sales representatives.
  • Average working hours: average full-time hours are just over 40 hours per week. The working day varies between organizations, but is commonly 9am until 6 or 7pm with a long lunch break. Shift work is common.
  • Holidays: usually one month per year plus various national holidays.
  • Average graduate starting salary: Spain has some of the lowest graduate salaries in Europe with starting salaries at around €19,000 a year. Salaries vary widely depending on the subject of your degree, with technical graduates doing far better than social scientists, for example. Female graduates tend to earn significantly less than their male counterparts.
  • Tax rates: the income tax rate is 15.66% – 27.13% depending on your level of earnings. If you intend to work in Spain, you should register with the national tax office Agencia Tributaria on your arrival. Non-residents are taxed on any income earned in Spain, but if you work in Spain for over 183 days, you will be classed as a resident for tax purposes and will be asked to declare all your income for that year.

Where can I work?

  • Major industries: retail/wholesale, manufacturing (especially chemicals, metals, food, motor vehicles), construction, real estate, transport, tourism.
  • Recent growth areas: service sector, hotels and restaurants, IT and hi-tech industries.
  • Industries in decline: construction, real estate, agriculture.
  • Shortage occupations: skilled trades, mechanics, restaurant/hotel staff, sales representatives.

What’s it like working in Spain?

  • Average working hours: average full-time hours are just over 40 hours per week. The working day varies between organizations, but is commonly 9am until 6 or 7pm with a long lunch break. Shift work is common.
  • Holidays: usually one month per year plus various national holidays.
  • Average graduate starting salary: Spain has some of the lowest graduate salaries in Europe with starting salaries at around €19,000 a year. Salaries vary widely depending on the subject of your degree, with technical graduates doing far better than social scientists, for example. Female graduates tend to earn significantly less than their male counterparts.
  • Tax rates: the income tax rate is 15.66% – 27.13% depending on your level of earnings. If you intend to work in Spain, you should register with the national tax office Agencia Tributaria on your arrival. Non-residents are taxed on any income earned in Spain, but if you work in Spain for over 183 days, you will be classed as a resident for tax purposes and will be asked to declare all your income for that year.

Save The Date: “Informal Business Networking with the European Chambers of Commerce” Barcelona, May 24th 2012

18 Friday May 2012

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The European Chambers of Commerce in Spain serve the interests of every industry and every size of European business, reaching over 6.000 members. Their project is to take action to enhance and affirm the presence of other European countries in Spain, by promoting the cooperation and the connection of their members through events, lunches, dinners, business drinks and other activities.

The European Chambers of Commerce in Spain organize an informal business gathering in Barcelona on Thursday, May 24th in Barcelona. It will be an opportunity for improving and developing new business contacts in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

  • Entrance is free. Youare asked to confirm your attendance beforehand.
  • Each attendee will receive a badge holder in which they can insert their business card.
  • Drinks are paid for directly to the restaurant.

Location: Restaurant 1881 Plaça de Pau Vila, 3 – Barcelona. (Museu d’Història de Catalunya)

Date and time: Thursday, 24th May 2012 07:00 p.m. 09:00 p.m.

Registration is essential: attendees can register with their own national European Chamber of Commerce on their page here 

More information: http://www.camaraseuropeas.com/encuentros.htm

Save The Date: “Barcelona Guiri Business Drink” Barcelona, May 09th 2012

06 Sunday May 2012

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May will see  Barcelona Guiri Business Drink back. This business networking event had over 75+ members last month in Barcelona.

Guiri Business Group invite you to join them at the MEAM museum to network while viewing the artwork and enjoy free wine through the kind support of Bodega Jean Leon (for first hour and while supplies last).There will also be wine, beer and soft drinks to purchase later.

- Where? MEAM, el Museu Europeu d’Art Modern de Barcelona
- When? May 09th 19:00- 21:00
- How much? Entrance to the business drinks is 10€ but FREE for LinkedIn Guiri Business group members.
- IS RVSP required? Yes it is.

For more information: http://linkd.in/ISoD75

Guiri Business Group is primarily on LinkedIn, where they host discussions and post most of our information and tips. It mainly consists of English-speaking, Spanish-based, foreign professionals – many of them self-employed – that become member for business networking purposes.

The group eases professional networking through the exchange of information, knowledge, jobs and business opportunities. Guiri Business Group offers useful resources, Business drinks & Business community contacts in  Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, San Sebastián, La Coruña, Seville and Granada.

Save The Date: “The Business Formula” Barcelona, May 12th 2012

06 Sunday May 2012

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Isabel Anthony Torres  co-owner of Se Ese Uno and trainer of several business and comunication courses, presents us her next training session of The Business Formula.

“Isabel Anthony Torres: In the current economic times, all entrepreneurs must face huge challenges in order to survive.

Running our own business is a way to generate income, experience freedom, fulfilment and contribution. But is is not at all easy!

If you are a freelancer or small business owner, and you have a good product or service but lack the business skills that will help you and your company thrive, The Business Formula will give you the tools you need to get extraordinary results in 2012!

You need the right formulas and strategies in order to grow your business and increase your profits.The Business Formula is a one-day training and networking event in Spanish that will help you boost your business. Imagine what kind of success you would have in your business if you would know the right strategies.

What will you learn in The Business Formula?

  • How to adopt a mentality that supports your business
  • The 3 best ways to grow your business
  • The one mistake most entrepreneurs do – and how to avoid it
  • How to get your clients to say 7 times more “YES!”
  • The 5 marketing basics that are necessary to prosper in spite of the crisis

We use a proven method called “Accelerated Learning” that will support you to make the most out of our teaching. The principle of this method is that students that are involved in the learning process will learn faster, remember more, implement more and have more fun.  And one thing is for sure: you won´t be bored!  And the best part is, once you complete this seminar, you will be firmly in control of your business. “

Useful information:

  • When : Saturday, May 12th 2012.
  • Hours: from 10.00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m.
  • Investment: 47€ for each attendant.
  • Location: Edificio CINC, c/ Llull 321-329  Barcelona.
  • Full agenda in Spanish available on CINC Website. 
  • Registration on CINC Website ( in Spanish only).
  • More information available on Se Ese Uno Website.

Isabel Anthony Torres

www.seeseuno.es

Blog: Se Ese Uno – Impulsa tu negocio

Twitter: @seeseuno

LinkedIn: Isabel Anthony Torres

TALENT PICTURES “Alberto Profesor” Innovative Online Spanish Teaching

06 Sunday May 2012

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Today, in our Talent pictures Section, we will interview Alberto, Founder and Owner of “Alberto Profesor” an Online Spanish teaching project, based in Barcelona, but aimed to global students. With an experience based on over 3.000 hours of Spanish classes, Alberto Vara is a certified teacher of Spanish as foreign language, but also a passionate guy, that loves people, teaching and opening students the gates of Spanish culture and language.  He is continuously developing material for high quality Online Spanish learning and he works to the production of some Podcast series.

Let´s him explain his business idea with his own words.

What is your business about?

“Alberto Profesor” is a project that tries to connect a professional Spanish Teacher with individuals and companies interested in Spanish training. This means that money doesn´t get wasted in language schools or intermediaries, and that students can get 100% attention from their teacher. The lessons are held online, using Skype software, so time wasting is also dramatically reduced. Busy people, who haven´t time to go to normal classroom lessons, can learn Spanish from their homes or offices. As a result, students get great private Spanish teaching at lower cost and less time wasting than in a traditional language school. A perfect deal!  Alberto Profesor also offers a free Spanish blog, and some Spanish podcast that can help beginners to have their first steps in Spanish.

How did you get the idea of your business?

I was teaching Spanish for more than 4 years for different companies, until realizing that language teaching had to be done in a different way. During my experience as Spanish teacher, I met a lot of businessmen who complained about not having enough time to learn Spanish properly. They wished they could have lessons in their lunch time, or at home after they came back from work. Now, I work as a self-employed teacher, mainly using Skype and Internet resources. My teaching method allows people with little time to improve a lot their Spanish in a really fast way. Students don´t lose time, just learn. I´m also developing a great number of learning resources, such as different Spanish learning podcast and radio programs

What makes your business so special?

My lessons are interesting and engaging, and are focused on communication from the first second. I avoid too many grammatical terms or boring drillings. My lessons try to make a difference, and not doing what the student can do by himself The good thing is that it doesn´t matter if my student has to move to Madrid, London or Singapore, he can keep his Spanish studies using Skype.

What do you think your mission is?

My mission is to help people and companies to learn Spanish, and help them with any language related solution they may need. I like to have happy students, who don´t waste their time and money. Learning Spanish is easy if you put the effort and get the right teaching and method applied to you.

How did you start your business up?

After one of my lessons in the Spanish school a student approached me and told me that he had to come back to Poland, but he would like to keep having me as his teacher. I suggested Skype lessons… and it worked! He was the CEO of a big Polish company and asked me if I could train some of his workers, so that´s how I started developing my company and my Skype teaching system.

What were the main difficulties and best moments as a would-be entrepreneur?

The main difficulties are related with all the legal Spanish system, which I think is too complicated for entrepreneurs: too many papers to sign and it takes too long to start anything. Then, the best moment comes when you see how a guy who wasn´t able to speak a word in Spanish is suddenly having a 100% Spanish conversation with you.

Why did you choose Barcelona to develop your business idea?

Barcelona is a city with a lot of expats and foreign people who come here to start a new career. These people need to learn Spanish, and they want it to be fast and convenient. So I thought it could be a good idea to start here, and combine my Skype lessons with face to face lessons, to gain the trust of my students in the short distances.

Do you think that Barcelona is a good city to develop entrepreneurship?

Yes, I think so. Barcelona is such an international city, where anything you may want to sell will find someone willing to buy it. Furthermore, it is a really pleasant city to live, so it attracts all kind of people.

Would you recommend any mentorship program/resources for entrepreneurs in Barcelona to start a business up?

I found really useful to ask around the 22@ district, where the city government has its offices to help entrepreneurs .I would recommend anyone willing to start a business to go there and ask for help and information.

Want to know more about “Alberto Profesor”? Have a look at these links:

Main page: http://albertoprofesor.com

Blog:  http://albertoprofesor.com/blog

Podcast : http://albertoprofesor.com/free-spanish-podcasts

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/onlineSpanishTeacher

Your Network of Contacts: How to Implement a Networking Action Plan

26 Thursday Apr 2012

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Given that it is done by human beings in a social setting, all networking involves a range of psychological aspects that are related to a person’s mood, attitudes and principles. These have a direct impact on the development of social skills.  Therefore it is as important to review them as it is to find the right moment to establish and maintain contacts. Competencies related to emotional intelligence also deserve special attention. These are decisive in how we relate to other people.

Four stages can be defined in the process of developing a network of contacts: classifying contacts; meeting people; contacting professionals within the sector that you are interested in strategically; and maintaining and exploiting contacts.

For each of these, there is a series of basic tips to get the most out of your network of contacts, and also expand it.

  1. 1st stage: Classify contacts.

-       Find the right format to collect the more important details about your contacts. On this, new technologies enable you to store this information on PCs and electronic mobile devices (mobile telephones, PDAs etc) With regard to software, there are online utilities that make it easier to compile and expand the details relating to your contacts – such as social networks and similar applications.

-       Classify the contacts according to the most useful variable for you: type of contact (personal or professional), economic sector, field of contact (gym, university, work) etc. To recover former contacts and create new ones, you can find points of interaction between people that cross over more than one of these areas.

-       Improve the descriptions for your contacts with keywords and meta tags) so that it is easier to find them and recall them when you need to.

-       Have a clear contacts map based on relationship levels.

  1. 2nd stage: Make new contacts.

-       Be open, accessible and confident in yourself. If you are not feeling like that, it’s better to leave it for another day. It is better to cancel an interview (with a company or contact) than go without being in the best frame of mind.

-       Prepare a quick presentation of who you are and what you want to do – that is, a good elevator pitch.

-       Seek out contacts that are very active in terms of networking; normally, they are people who connect naturally.

-       Compile as much information as possible about your contacts: name and surname, contact details, place of work, company, role and responsibilities, training and experience, projects that they work on, etc.

-       Make sure that you know your contacts well: make time to talk to them and shown interest in them – both through formal questions, for example what they do, where they work etc) and informal questions, for example about their family, holidays and so on).

-       Remember specific details about your contacts: professional (customers, projects that they are working on etc) and personal (birthday, where they live, etc). Any information that helps you establishing a conversation related to their interests.

  1. 3rd stage: Contact professionals from your industry or field, in a strategic way.

-       Ask people that you know about other people they know who work in the industry or professional field that you are interested in.

-       Attend events held within your industry or professional area: trade fairs, round tables, conferences etc.

-       Become a member of professional associations and colleges, unions and working groups.

-       Participate in groups or forums within the social networks and virtual communities.

-       Watch out for changes taking place around you as well as new trends in your industry.

-       Create a list of target companies where you would like to work.

-       Find people who work or have experience in your industry, follow what they do, contact them and let them know who you are and what you are interested in.

-       Build relationships with professionals who do your job in other companies.

  1. 4th stage: Maintain and exploit your contacts

-       Update your contacts continually.

-       Share your knowledge and make the most of other people. Think about the interests of the other party in this win-win relationship.

-       Use social network and Web 2.0 applications mainly at the start and end of the day, which is when most people connect.

-       When choosing your networking tools, think about how you will combine different platforms to find and maintain the contacts that match your objective.

-       Take advantage of any opportunity to do something nice for your contacts and build your appeal among them.

-       Involve others in conversations and social situations.

-       Actively participate in social events.

-       Connect people from different environments that you think could get on with each other.

-       Request contributions, help and suggestions from other people and offer yours.

 

Conclusions

-       Networking has no limits in terms of space or time. Our network of contacts can range from our more immediate environment (family, neighbours, colleagues and former work and study colleagues, friends and acquaintances) to people that have no direct connection with us.

-       However, it requires a continual investment in time and effort. Just as human capital steadily develops through a person’s training and experience, social capital can also grow on a daily basis if you constantly feed it.

-       Actively participating in social networks and the internet enables you to demonstrate your knowledge and contribute to strengthening your digital identity. It is not essential to find work but it helps to make you more visible and position you in the job market. In short, it can set your candidacy apart from other people with similar profiles.

-       Networking however is not just an important tool for finding work; it has become a key aspect in career development. It helps you to promote your personal brand and knowledge of the context that you are working in and enables you to keep up-to-date and learn through other people. Networking activities help you get the most out of your human capital and maximise the opportunities for professional success.

 

TALENT PICTURES: “Lost In Translation”? Ask Ontranslation!

22 Sunday Apr 2012

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Today, in our Talent Picture Section, Oscar Nogueres CEO of Ontranslation, will explain us his vision about Translation and Interpretation Project Management.

Ontranslation is a hub of multilingual and multidisciplinary professionals that network to respond quickly and effectively to communication needs. They manage and execute multilingual translation and interpretation projects, to facilitate communication among people, with special attention to both linguistic and cultural aspects.

Barnatalent: What is your background?

I would use just two words: teaching and translation. Both almost happened at the same time. Teaching took me to talent and people management plus translation to translation management. However, if there is something that links both worlds together, is my passion for communication and team-building.

I studied English philology, because I was rejected from Translation and Interpretation due to my unacademic English, then a postgraduate in Translation and IT – I reckon that my English sounded more university-like type of English, then e-learning, human resources management and nowadays I’m trying to finish my psychology degree from the Open University in my “free” time.

Careerwise, I first started working as a teacher in academies and businesses, then I was offered collaboration with a museum to translate art catalogues which I obviously accepted and have been doing for more than 8 years, then I turned into teacher coordination, kept on translating as a second job, director of studies, more translation job in my free time, general manager of a training and language centre… Nowadays I combine my training and development consultant job with managing Ontranslation, a multilingual communication agency.

Barnatalent: What are you passionate about?

I love communication between different cultures, people coordination, training, translation… I also like literature and cinema, and really enjoy contemporary art. (I would tell you a secret: I sometimes spend my Saturday afternoons doing collage that I give to my friends for Xmas or for their bdays).

Barnatalent: What is Ontranslation?

Ontranslation or Ontrans, as we sometimes call it in the office, is a multilingual communication agency that facilitates communication among people. We manage and execute translation and interpretation projects with special attention to both linguistic and cultural differences. We specialize in marketing and communication, urbanism, innovation and biomedicine. We offer help with internationalization processes of companies that try to make business worldwide.

To illustrate what we do, we have a video mkt campaign called “No es lo Mismo” (It’s not the same) that tries to explain our services in a funny peculiar way. They triggered different reactions, especially one… It’s four 22-second videos about our most relevant services. The campaign ends with a fifth one-minute video entitled “No somos lo mismo” (We are not the same) that talks about us. Have a look and tell me what you think!

Barnatalent:How did you start your business up?

Ontranslation is a spin-off. It comes from a department of translation and interpretation of a training company I was managing a couple of years ago. We had quite an important portfolio of clients that had been trusting our team for four years. When I decided to leave the company, the owners didn’t want to keep on with the translation business so I decided to set it up independently… New brand, new ideas, and make it grow. However, most of the translators and collaborators that were working then, are still working with us nowadays.

Barnatalent: What is the profile of your customers?

We have a variety of clients. Most of them are marketing and communication agencies, web design studios, some big governmental institutions, but also small and medium companies and also individuals who look for sworn translations.

Barnatalent: What is your favourite motivation motto?

It’s quite difficult to choose one… I think it depends on the day… Maybe one of them could be Jeffrey Gitomer’s “Create a story of WOW that will be retold.” 

Barnatalent: What are the opportunities for start-ups n Barcelona?

To tell you the truth, I have not yet gone to any of the governmental or state programmes for start-ups. I’m planning to, though. I have to find the time to sit down, study the possibilities and go for it. I think your blog is a good starting point to see what Barcelona has to offer in this sense. Lately, there are lots of networking events that we try not to miss, and many other free socializing venues that can make it easier for entrepreneurs and start-up companies to meet and exchange ideas on their businesses.

Barnatalent: How do you see the development of your business?

We are growing slowly but steady. Rapid and uncontrolled growing can be fatal. I don’t like doing things in a rush. We are now planning to expand to UK markets. Let’s see how it goes!

Ontranslation

Balmes 167, 3-2

08008 Barcelona – Spain

http://www.ontranslation.es 

http://www.linkedin.com/company/ontranslation

http://vimeo.com/ontranslation

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrOntranslation  

https://twitter.com/#!/on_translation

https://www.facebook.com/ontranslation  

Save The Date: “Fund-raising Workshop with Mujeres In! “, April 26th 2012

20 Friday Apr 2012

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Mujeres IN! is a training, entertainment and networking initiative, which aims to boost the potential of women both at a personal and professional level. It is a participating platform for women who consider themselves or would like to become: Interesting, Intelligent, Intuitive, International, Innovative, and Independent. It is a meeting point for women who would like to improve as persons, businesswomen and entrepreneurs, who want to promote the qualities of leadership, make life balance, overcome obstacles, create networks and synergies, interact, help, learn and improve.

They host a FREE workshop in Spanish about Fund-raising ”“Conferencia taller Fund –raising. Los programas europeos pueden ayudar a las empresarias” on Thursday, April 26th at 07:30 p.m. at Esei International Business School, Barcelona to connect businesswomen related to start-up world, and help them with the fund-raising for their business and the presentation of their business plan.

For registration and location details, please check this link:

http://mujeresin.es/260412-conferencia-taller-fund-raising-los-programas-europeos-pueden-ayudar-a-las-empresarias/

 

The Importance of Evaluating a Training: Kirckpatrick’s Four Levels of Evaluation

19 Thursday Apr 2012

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Evaluation of training means measuring the effectiveness of a training program. Evaluation helps in defining the learning outcomes more sharply, remove unnecessary training content, and ensure that the training method meets the training needs of the learners and consequently of the business.  This effectiveness is as much about short-term retention as about the long-term retention and application by learners.

 Today most organizations talk about measuring the effectiveness of the training programs. While most traditional institutions have mechanisms in place where they measure the effectiveness of the classroom training programs, most modern day training programs are still not evaluated objectively or accurately.

Kirckpatrick’s Four Levels of Evaluation

There are several approaches used to measure the effectiveness of training in an objective way. One popular approach is Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Evaluation, created by Dr. Donald Kirkpatrick in 1959. In this model, each successive evaluation level is built on information provided by the earlier lower level.  The Four-Levels are as follows:

  • Level 1 – Reaction. To what extent did the participants find the training useful, challenging, well-structured, organized, and so on?
  • Level 2 – Learning. To what extent did participants improve knowledge and skills and change attitudes as a result of the training?
  • Level 3 – Behaviour. To what extent did participants change their behaviour back in the workplace as a result of the training?
  • Level 4 – Results. What measurable organizational benefits resulted from the training in terms such as productivity, efficiency and sales revenue?

By going through and analyzing each of these four levels, you can gain a thorough understanding of how effective your training was, and how you can improve in the future.  It’s not that conducting an evaluation at one level is more important that another. All levels of evaluation are important. In fact, the Kirkpatrick model explains the usefulness of performing training evaluations at each level. Each level provides a diagnostic checkpoint for problems at the succeeding level.

Should I evaluate all levels in all training programs?

Bear in mind that the model isn’t practical in all situations, and that measuring the effectiveness of training with the model can be time-consuming and use a lot of resources. The difficulty and cost of conducting an evaluation increases as you move up the levels. So, you will need to consider carefully what levels of evaluation you will conduct for which programs. You may decide to conduct Level 1 evaluations (Reaction) for all programs, Level 2 evaluations (Learning) for “hard-skills” programs only, Level 3 evaluations (Behavior) for strategic programs only and Level 4 evaluations (Results) for programs costing over 50.000€.  

When considering what sources of data you will use for your evaluation, think about the cost and time involved in collecting the data. Balance this against the accuracy of the source and the accuracy you actually need. Will existing sources suffice or will you need to collect new information?

Think broadly about where you can get information. Sources include:

  • hardcopy and online quantitative reports
  • production and job records
  • interviews with participants, managers, peers, customers, suppliers and regulators
  • checklists and tests
  • direct observation
  • questionnaires, self-rating and multi-rating
  • focus group sessions

Above all else, before starting an evaluation, be crystal clear about your purpose in conducting the evaluation. Once you have completed your evaluation, distribute it to the people who need to read it. In deciding on your distribution list, refer to your previously stated reasons for conducting the evaluation. And of course, if there were lessons learned from the evaluation on how to make your training more effective, act on them (process improvement).

Networking: a Key Part in Professional Development Processes

12 Thursday Apr 2012

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Networking means “working over a network”. The concept comes from IT, where a network consists of a set of computers and management programs that are connected together for the purpose of sharing resources and exchanging information. Similarly, among humans networking is the exchange of knowledge between two or more people, to facilitate the processes of work.

Imagine everybody on earth could share human knowledge with the maximum possible freedom and accessibility” Jimmy Wales (Wikipedia founder)

In the world of business, contacts have always been used as a means of communication and obtaining details. Through this, recruitment managers saw the potential for hiring new candidates. Similarly, jobs are frequently advertised by word-of-mouth and contacts are therefore considered to be a valid job hunting channel.

Networking though is not simply knowing people and getting what you can out of them; it is also helping them to be successful too. It means being generous with the time that you give to other people and establishing relationships on the basis of “give and take”. Thus, more than a way of working, some people consider it to be a general philosophy and extrapolate it to all aspects of their life.

In short, networking is a work-related tool that can be used as part of the process of professional improvement, as a way of learning about the job market and even as a direct channel for finding work.

 Having good relationships with the people you work with is essential for the process of professional improvement – whether this relates to doing things better or changing job or industry. Furthermore, knowing people outside your immediate work environment helps expand your perspective of what you do, and what you could do, professionally, learning and staying up-to-date with new subjects, technologies and ways of working as well as locating resources and people that may be of help in your career development.

The best professionals, beyond using their technical or personal competencies according to each situation, know how to apply these effectively, and mix and match them to achieve their objectives. In other words, they make the most of their competencies because they are able to balance the specific knowledge they have of their working area with the relationship that they have with their environment.

There are basically two different types of methods for establishing and maintaining contact: 

  • Physical networking: This is the most common type of networking given that it occurs naturally. We all interact face-to-face with people that we meet in our daily lives.
  • Virtual networking: This form of networking has developed as a result of new technologies being incorporated into our daily lives. This can be done by telephone, by sending e-mails to contacts, or by taking part in web 2.0 applications, such as wikis, forums, virtual communities and so on.

In developing relationships with other people, most of us combine the two methods. The factors that determine which channel of communication is selected for each situation is dictated more by physical (time and distance) and social (level of relationship and trust) factors rather than psychological matters (the person’s communication style).

Advantages Drawbacks

Physical networking:

-       Enables the message being communicated to be backed up by non-verbal communication

-       Closer and more natural

-       The other person’s reactions are seen immediately

-       Requires finding the right time and place

-       Requires a proactive attitude and social skills

 Virtual networking:

-       The ability to communicate anywhere and at any time

-       Focus on the message to be communicated

-       Enables contact with people that we would not otherwise know

-       Lack of non-verbal communication to back up the message (can lead to misunderstandings)

-       Requires technological devices (telephone, computer, etc.)

-       Communication may be slow and may not even go in both directions

Webography

Digital identity and social wealth. Digital article that discusses the loss of digital identity with a change in professional career; how we can adequately manage contacts with our surroundings; and the importance of our digital identity within our self-concept.

Design your “Twitter Pitch” and get ready to find work . Digital article. Post about how to put together a summary of your profile and what you are looking for when using on Twitter. Although these tips are applicable to any other networking activity.

Google yourself before you are Googled. Digital article about the importance of online reputation for recruiters.

The eight habits of highly effective bloggers. Digital article about the habits that a blogger needs to be highly effective and even turn their blogs into a source of income.

Web 2.0 and networking, essential for finding work. Digital article that brings together the main contributions made by different experts during the session”Improve your career through networking” organised by Porta22 in collaboration with XING and AERC.

Key things you need to do to avoid losing control of your social network .Useful tips to bear to use Internet-based social networks.

Plaxo.com.Online application that synchronises social networks with e-mail and automatically updates details’contacts and what they have published on the internet.

Networking Activo Magazine. Digital magazine.Complimentary to the social network and blog Networking Activo; this is a publication that covers all types of news, events and articles about networking.

TwitterJobSearch.com. Search engine for job adverts using Twitter. Search for potential work based on keywords and filter results by date, salary and required skills.

Jobsket.es. Website that combines employment portals and social networks. Its main appeal is that when candidates publish their CV, the value of their profile can be calculated, based on parameters such as the companies that they have worked at, their experience, and their professional skills competencies.