Why Network?
In the world of work, networking is incredibly valuable -- even the Wall Street Journal reported recently that 94% of successful job seekers claimed that networking had made all the difference for them. Networking can make the difference between just getting a job you need and creating a career you want.
- It's Not What You Know, It's Who You KnowAs job seekers, we tend to think it would be nice if we were chosen for a certain job based solely on our skills. Hand in a resume, get a phone call and, wham! you're sitting at a big oak desk, smoking a cigar. But it doesn't happen that way. No one will know what kind of person you are, your glowing personality, your persuasive abilities with clients, your creative number-crunching skills unless they know who you are. By networking and talking to people you already know, you can put yourself in the position of being known by people who could be potentially important to your career. Who you know doesn't lessen the importance of your skill set, in fact those people you talk to along the way can help put your skills in the spotlight.
- Who Do I Network With?Networking does not have to be a schmoozefest. Lose the images of being a smooth-talking socialite, handing out business cards and shaking every hand in the room. In fact, your grandmother might be a better resource than a roomful of suits. Networking comes in many forms everything from meeting an old friend for a cup of coffee to talk about how she likes law school, to having your best friend's father put in a good word for you at his company, to talking to family members who not only know you, but have your best interests in mind. Everybody knows somebody, who knows somebody, who might be able to help you. Here are a few places to start networking:
- Your college alumni association or career office networking lists
- Your own extended family
- Your friends' parents and other family members
- Your professors, advisors, coaches, tutors, clergy
- Your former bosses and your friends' and family members' bosses
- Members of clubs, religious groups and other organizations to which you belong
- All the organizations near where you live or go to school
- Why Should I Network?One conversation can be very enlightening. Here are a few things that can happen when you network with someone:
- They can tell you what it's really like (from their perspective, of course) to work in a given field or organization now. They can also tell you how the field has changed and what they see for the future.
<95> They can help you understand the aptitudes and training needed to get into and be successful in a particular field. - They can give you the inside scoop on schools and training programs.
- They can give you "insider" information on an organization, such as who is in charge, what the culture is like, what kinds of people have held the job you're looking at, what it takes to succeed in that position, what new directions or changes might be happening soon, how to customize your cover letter and resume to get noticed, how to market yourself effectively and tips for interviewing. A cover letter and resume that demonstrate that you are just the kind of person an organization is looking for can really give you an advantage.
- They can be living demonstrations of what it's like to work in the field. Can you imagine yourself doing what they do? Does the picture you imagine feel good? Or does it horrify you?
- They can suggest other people to talk to.
- They can tell you what it's really like (from their perspective, of course) to work in a given field or organization now. They can also tell you how the field has changed and what they see for the future.
- Every Conversation is Valuable Not every person you talk to will impart grand wisdom or give you the contact information for the CEO of the company you are dying to work for. But every conversation will offer something, even if it means finding out something you don't want to do. Regardless, the nuggets of information you gather along the way are essential to your end goal: creating the career you want.
© Monster 2006
