How often have you heard that networking is the best way to find a job; build relationships, or find business opportunities? Too many times than you care to remember, particularly if it hasn’t worked for you, right? For some of us, networking is like going to the dentist. We know it has its benefits, but we are so fearful that we either refuse to go, or when we do, we break out in a cold sweat.
Successful networking depends on your perception – you either believe in it or you don’t. There are those who believe it is forced, pushy, artificial and one-sided, and does not work. Of course, many people behave just like that and give the process a bad name. Then there are those who have evidence that it works, but that it takes a lot of time to cultivate and nurture relationships. They also know that networking is unselfish and a two-way process.
Networking also depends on your personality. If you are an introvert you might not feel comfortable talking to people you do not know, and for you it becomes a burden. If you are an extrovert who enjoys interacting in a stimulating, fast-paced, energizing environment, then networking will be easier.
Whichever label best describes you, you don’t have to be afraid and you don’t need to know a lot of people for you to be successful at networking. You may have heard of the six-degree of separation theory that says we are only six introductions away from meeting the person or persons we want to meet. This, of course, takes a lot of effort, but if you want to get anywhere or you want to meet anyone, you have to do what it takes to get noticed. You can begin the process now by following these six tips:
1. Assess yourself to determine if you are an introvert or an extrovert. Are you the one who stands in a corner of the room waiting for someone to make the first contact, or are you the one who feels comfortable approaching an individual or a group?
2. Decide what type(s) of networking activities you want to pursue. Do you want to attend an event where you meet only a few people and spend more time with those people, or do you prefer to meet and speak with an individual for a few minutes, then politely excuse yourself and move on to the next person?
3. Cultivate an Online Identity. This is the newest fad called social networking. Familiarize yourself with groups such as Ryze, LinkedIn, Zoominfo.com, Yahoo 360, MySpace, Facebook, Friendster and Zerodegrees. According to a former recruiter at Microsoft “Social Networking is the newest fad in looking for a job, and if you are out there and are not exploiting all of these sites with information about your education, employer, interests and background, you are missing out.”
While some of these sites might not appear to be business-related, if you cultivate a businesslike image, they can work for you. It has been reported that approximately 75 per cent of recruiters “google” candidates on the Internet before they meet them, and they frequently search any or all of these sites.
4. Create and contribute to blogs that relate to your career interests. A blog, or weblog, for those who do not know, is an online journal. Become known as an expert by writing and/or discussing trends in your field. Be mindful of what you write because according to the website Blogger.com, "...blogs are available to a public audience like television, newspapers, and radio. When you publish a blog entry, you are broadcasting this information to a potential audience of millions." To get an idea of what a blog looks like visit ours at http://thewrightcareer.blogspot.com.
5. Write articles for e-zines. If you enjoy writing, search for e-zines (electronic magazines) that match your interests and submit your articles. These will be published on the web if they fall within the editor’s publishing guidelines. Again, this is another way of becoming known as an expert. One popular e-zine site is http://www.ezinearticles.com.
6. Join Toastmasters. Becoming a part of Toastmasters is not only one of the most cost-effective ways to develop your public speaking and networking skills, but it also provides opportunities to hone your overall communication and leadership skills. Visit them at www.toastmasters.org to find a chapter that’s close to you.
Some words of caution as you explore ways to increase your networking effectiveness. Be very professional in everything you do on these social networking sites and don't post anything that you wouldn’t want a prospective employer to read.
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Daisy Wright is a career transition coach, professional resume writer and contributing writer to several career books. She is the author of “No Canadian Experience, Eh? A Career Survival Guide for New Immigrants”, to be available soon. She can be reached by phone at (905) 840-7039, by email at careercoach@thewrightcareer.com or website - www.thewrightcareer.com.
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