Networking
People who are adept at networking will say networking is a way of life, not just a one time experiment in order to find a job. The act of networking can have a bad connotation because there are people who do not network correctly. Networking has been associated with phrases such as: schmoozing, pressing the flesh, and working the room. Nobody wants to be associated with these images and thus give up on networking without giving it an honest try. We would like for you to think of networking in a different light. Networking can be summarized in two words: Building Relationships.
“If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.” — George Bernard Shaw
In its truest form, networking is when people meet to exchange ideas, information, and contacts. It can take place in a formal networking meeting, an office, an airplane, bar, holiday party; anywhere two people are talking and building a relationship. The topic of the conversation is irrelevant as long as people are building a rapport, a level of trust, or a bond with each other.
In an earlier stage, you should have written down all the people on your contact list and completed your spring cleaning. Now it is time to follow the four steps of networking:
- Send a letter or email to prepare the networking contact. Follow up within 72 hours with a phone call requesting a meeting or phone conversation.
- Conduct your meeting/informational interview.
- Send a thank you note.
- One month later, send a follow up email, letter, or phone call to networking contacts with whom you have had a positive experience. The conversation is simply to update the networking contact of your progress. This step is often forgotten, but it will produce your best results.
Stay in contact with your networking contacts and always be willing to help them. Networking is a two-way street and remember:
“You just don’t luck into things as much as you’d like to think you do. You build step by step, whether it’s friendships or opportunities.” — Barbara Bush