It's not what you know, it's who you know
March 5th 2008 11:51
It's an old saying, but networking is the fastest way of either finding a new job or advancing in a career, especially if you are looking for another position in the same company, where the good jobs are always by word of mouth.
We are always waiting for that perfect opportunity. We look high and low, online and on the notice boards. Yet, somehow other people seem to always get to that job before we do.
Opportunities can arise from anywhere. It can come from education, from deliberate search, or simply pop up randomly in your lives. Often, it's the random opportunities that turns out to be the best opportunities you will ever anticipate.
Networking is an important skill to have, and it is one way to make these opportunities come to you. Go along to conferences, seminars and short courses. There are always people in the same industry who possibly just need someone like you. Have a chat to them, find out what they do and subtly hint you are on the look out for new challenges. Exchange business cards, keep a friendly distance and this could be the door that will open for you.
Be aware not to make your network efforts seem a bit try hard and a self-promoting activity. People can tell if you are being insincere and only want the benefits of knowing them. Over friendliness and self-promotion can harm the relationship you are trying to build.
There are many ways to make new opportunities, however networking is one valuable way to create opportunities to make new opportunities. You can spend hours trying to look for new opportunities that could happen within ten minutes of talking to the right people.
Network your way to a better career (Image Source: Businessweek.com)
We are always waiting for that perfect opportunity. We look high and low, online and on the notice boards. Yet, somehow other people seem to always get to that job before we do.
Opportunities can arise from anywhere. It can come from education, from deliberate search, or simply pop up randomly in your lives. Often, it's the random opportunities that turns out to be the best opportunities you will ever anticipate.
Networking is an important skill to have, and it is one way to make these opportunities come to you. Go along to conferences, seminars and short courses. There are always people in the same industry who possibly just need someone like you. Have a chat to them, find out what they do and subtly hint you are on the look out for new challenges. Exchange business cards, keep a friendly distance and this could be the door that will open for you.
Be aware not to make your network efforts seem a bit try hard and a self-promoting activity. People can tell if you are being insincere and only want the benefits of knowing them. Over friendliness and self-promotion can harm the relationship you are trying to build.
There are many ways to make new opportunities, however networking is one valuable way to create opportunities to make new opportunities. You can spend hours trying to look for new opportunities that could happen within ten minutes of talking to the right people.
| 62 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
