What is Networking?
- Networking is establishing and maintaining career-related contacts
- It's talking with people to gather information, seek advice, and expand awareness
- Networking can be done face-to-face, by phone, by letter, email, and electronic bulletin boards, but personal meetings are most effective
Why should you be networking?
- Networking is the NUMBER ONE way that people find jobs.
Networking goes beyond actual job leads:
- Through networking you can learn the jargon of a particular occupational field
- Identify role models or mentors to guide your professional development
- Gain feedback on your qualifications and resume
- Learn about an unfamiliar geographic region or city
- Obtain support and encouragement from others who share your interests
- Identify good and bad managers to work for
- Identify which companies/departments are expanding or laying off
- Identify who knows about the type of work/business you're interested in
- Identify other types of jobs/businesses that could use your skills
Some Networking Etiquette:
- Meet at the convenience of your contact
- Be clear about your objectives
- Seek advice, information, or feedback
- DO NOT ask for a job
- Ask only for what a person can comfortably give you
- Avoid asking for information you can obtain through personal research
- ALWAYS Write a follow-up thank you note
Ready to network? Here's a script to help you get started.