No matter where you are in your career, networking is a vital part of your success. In fact, many positions are never posted but are instead filled through word-of-mouth. As the name implies, networking takes some work. It requires consistent attention, regular outreach and helping out your connections. Here’s a quick look at what you need to do to network effectively:
- Stay connected with former classmates, colleagues and employers. But connect more broadly, too. You can do that by volunteering to serve on a board or committee of an organization that interests you, and by getting involved in community activities and clubs.
- Go on informational interviews. The connections you make may not lead to a position right now, but getting to know someone today could be the relationship that puts you on the path to career success tomorrow.
- Attend a career fair to meet employers in person, find out more about their organizations and make connections.
- Leverage your social media network to learn about job openings, share tips with others and build your online community.
- Think of every meeting or event as a potential networking opportunity. Be prepared with what you want to accomplish and who you want to talk with. Sometimes the most important networking happens when you least expect it.
- Take time to really listen and get to know people. Networking is a two-way street. You want others to be there for you when you need them and point you in the right direction when a career opportunity arises, and you need to do the same for them.
Let us know what we can do to help you network your way to a satisfying and successful career.
