The value of networking was driven home to young job seekers as part of Labour Day celebrations this week.Speakers at the Bermuda Industrial Union event were united in their message: who you know will get you in the door what you know will keep you there.About 200 people were in attendance for Monday’s discussion, “Retooling our Young People for the Workplace”.KPMG partner Craig Bridgewater and McKeisha Smith of Butterfield Bank spoke on a panel moderated by former Education permanent secretary Radell Tankard.The panellists urged people aged 18 to 35 to keep competitive, and to take advantage of the Island’s networking possibilities.Mr Bridgewater told those present that he had never formally applied for any of the three professional positions he held in Bermuda.“Make sure you build an appropriate image and build your own network,” he said. “Although we are accustomed to thinking of Bermuda as unique, the companies that do business here can do it anywhere else in the world.”Asked what skills workers entering today’s job market should possess, Ms Smith urged them to focus on the appropriate skills for the job.“Always keep ahead of the curve,” she said, pointing to online learning, local courses and in-house training as a means of advancing themselves.Mr Bridgewater encouraged young workers to build on their “soft skills”. He listed these as personal presentation, effective writing, and the ability to “go out and host a proper business lunch”.Ms Smith advised job seekers to “find something that you love to do, and be passionate about it”.“However, on the flip side, because of where we are in today’s economy, some of the things we love, we aren’t able to do. Half a loaf is better than no loaf at all, and until you find that thing that you love, you may have to take a step backward to get there.”Asked by Dr Tankard about Bermuda’s greatest challenges, both speakers identified the Island’s high cost.“We are still seen as a very expensive jurisdiction, as far as wages and salaries are concerned,” Mr Bridgewater said.Ms Smith added: “We will still see downsizing, going forward, until we can deal with it.”The talk drew applause from one audience member, who called on young people to treat the public with courtesy.“Greet people in the way they should be greeted,” she said.Another said: “Having worked with young people, I see that mothers and fathers are enablers of our young people not going to work.”Encouraging young workers to be responsible, she said: “If you get paid on Thursday afternoon, please show up for work on time on Friday morning.”Ms Smith, vice-president of human resources at Butterfield Bank, said older workers should apply for work in companies like hers even if the desired position wasn’t available.“We may not have the specific position available, but we may also take a closer look at a resume. In the event that something does become available, we will have learned more about you.”She said the bank also gave advice on presenting better resumes.Government Senator LaVerne Furbert asked the speakers about the importance of volunteerism.“It goes back to networking,” Ms Smith replied. Sitting on the boards of the Bermuda Equestrian Federation and Sandys 360 made her “part of a bigger network”, she said.She urged young workers: “Don’t just be an ‘A’ student. Be a well-rounded individual.”Useful website: www.biu.bm.