For networking to produce the results you want from your job search, then you need to see it an ongoing process/strategy. You can network your way to new contacts, potential opportunities, help & support, and a job by keeping the lines of communication open with those who can help steer you in the right direction.
Whether your networking is the traditional in person or the growing popular of online networking, creating and developing a personal network is a process that comes highly recommended by every leading individual. So how do you make this creating & developing of a network work for your job search? To help answer this question, below are a few helpful suggestions to help aid your efforts.
The ‘Secret’
It’s no secret but the recipe to successful networking of any type is by invest time and effort into people. There is no quick results with networking so you need to view it in the right way. You invest time and effort in making connection, building respect & trust. By taking time to develop and invest time in these networking contacts will pay off in time. In a way you can view at as an investment. You invest time, effort, trust & respect that can pay off in favours, recommendations etc. It must be remembered that it’s a two way-street so at times you’ll have to give as well as receive.
The ‘Process’
You already may be already building promising connections with people you meet in the normal course of your life. It’s worth keeping a list of who they are and how to reach them. Just in case you need your memory refreshed, here’s some examples of personal-network activities:
The ‘Benefit ‘
By developing and investing time building bridges to a group of individuals whom you are willing to help, and who are willing to help you in return, you create a safety-net infrastructure to mobilise when you back in the job search world.
Whether your networking is the traditional in person or the growing popular of online networking, creating and developing a personal network is a process that comes highly recommended by every leading individual. So how do you make this creating & developing of a network work for your job search? To help answer this question, below are a few helpful suggestions to help aid your efforts.
The ‘Secret’
It’s no secret but the recipe to successful networking of any type is by invest time and effort into people. There is no quick results with networking so you need to view it in the right way. You invest time and effort in making connection, building respect & trust. By taking time to develop and invest time in these networking contacts will pay off in time. In a way you can view at as an investment. You invest time, effort, trust & respect that can pay off in favours, recommendations etc. It must be remembered that it’s a two way-street so at times you’ll have to give as well as receive.
The ‘Process’
You already may be already building promising connections with people you meet in the normal course of your life. It’s worth keeping a list of who they are and how to reach them. Just in case you need your memory refreshed, here’s some examples of personal-network activities:
- Attending professional association & alumni meetings
- Helping your neighbours
- Exchanging pleasantries with people like sales reps etc.
- Striking up conversations in dentists’ and veterinarians’ offices
- Chatting to other parents at your child’s school
- Getting to know other volunteers in local community projects
The ‘Benefit ‘
By developing and investing time building bridges to a group of individuals whom you are willing to help, and who are willing to help you in return, you create a safety-net infrastructure to mobilise when you back in the job search world.