Networking Is Here To Stay

Most of us have a circle of friends, family, and colleagues that we can relate to. You might be surprised at just how large your circle is. According to the American Funeral Directors Association, 250 people attend an average funeral. Think about this for this a moment - if the average person has a loose circle of 250 people in their lives, the potential reach of the ordinary person is mind-boggling.

When you are searching for work, you need to think about using or expanding this network of yours. From my experience working in career and employment counselling I would say there is a direct relationship between people’s networks and the level of success they reach in their careers.

Why network?

As the saying goes, it’s not what you know, but who you know. This is why some people manage to find opportunities while others just get stuck regardless of their skills, expertise, and experience.

When searching for work it is far more productive and less taxing to build on the goodwill and warmth of your network than to cold call and apply for jobs at companies where you have no connections. The best positions are usually found through word of mouth.

Networking can also help you in all aspects of career management. It provides you with valuable information, support, and feedback regarding the following:

• Assessing yourself, in terms of checking in with others in your field and understanding where you are in comparison to your peers.
• Searching for work and opportunities, and changing careers.
• Finding creative work options, allowing you to “think outside of the box”.
  
  

Admittedly, networking is harder for some than it is for others. If networking is tough work for you, just remember that it is an opportunity to develop and maintain relationships.

Tips for Improving Your Networking Skills 

There are two types of networking. The first is passive networking, also known as the “shotgun” approach. This means broadcasting your employment goals to your established network using means such as social media. This gets word of your goals out to many people at once with little effort, but these people may not be paying much attention or may not be able to help you.

The second type of networking is active networking. This requires some work. Active networking is connecting with peers and managers in your career field. Here are some tips for meeting and impressing the right people:

• Be targeted in your networking efforts. This means taking stock of your skills, experience, expertise, knowledge, values, and workplace preferences and being clear about your career and job search goals. Individuals within your career target(s) are far more likely to tip you off about openings than are general acquaintances.

• Make connections with people in your desired field. When making contact with new people, especially potential employers, stay away from the word “job”. Tell them you are looking for information or opportunities within your chosen field and that you would like to have the chance to introduce yourself and perhaps meet face to face for a discussion on the topic at their convenience. DON’T ask for a job. The point is to expand your contacts.

• Learn about the culture and norms in your chosen field. Networking is about forming relationships, getting to know people, and participating in the practices of a career community. Every community has norms and practices, and people in the same career often share similar interests and values. Go to a trade show or similar event and do some people-watching – maybe you can learn something that will help you make connections with people.

• Keep up with news and events happening in your field. You may want to allocate money for conferences, lectures, and other opportunities to meet people and exchange information. This will help you engage in conversation with new contacts.

• Become a joiner. Other places to meet people include sporting activities and social groups. Find an activity that you’re interested in and participate. Target the career field or occupational community you wish to join and figure out where the members of that group socialize, or volunteer in the field.

• Be prepared to be helpful to others. Networking is a two-way street. If you ask someone for leads and you have a good relationship with them, they’ll put your name forward. Be prepared to make connections for others. What goes around comes around.

Developing your own network does not have to be painful. Done right, it will be energizing and rewarding. Making your contacts work for you is not mercenary; rather it is the secret to having successful relationships that will work for you. Infuse fun into networking, work on, and nurture relationships that will enrich your life.