Networking 101
What is networking? and How can it benefit you?
What is networking?
Networking is the process of discovering and utilizing connections between people. Genuine networks stem from friendships or business relationships. Everyone knows other people, and thus has a network. But "networking" implies movement beyond one's immediate network and involves tapping into other people's networks, perhaps far removed from one's own.
It is a planned process in which you will interact with and become known, through formal and informal settings, to people who can provide information about job openings, leads, personal contacts, employers that are hiring, etc. Networking is about talking with people and obtaining referrals so that every contact you make is a "warm" contact. You may feel a bit awkward about asking for help this way. It takes skill to network effectively. Networking is a must to uncover job opportunities in the "hidden" job market which constitutes over 50% of jobs (The U.S. Department of Labor reports that 63.4 % of all workers use informal job finding methods).
The bottom line: Networking is the #1 job search strategy of the 1990's and you'll be professionally networking for the rest of your life. There simply is no such thing as a job or career field in which you can be rewarded entirely for what you know and how well you do your work. You not only have to do your job well but also make sure that others know you're doing your job well. Visibility is key to keeping yourself employable given today's business realities - high uncertainty, unrestricted competition, globalization, mergers and acquisitions.
Numerous Ways Networking Can Benefit You:
- Sharpen your perceptions of the job or career you've been considering
- Validate the choice of career by investigating the day-to-day experiences of someone working in the field
- Narrow the list of potential employers developed from reviewing background literature to those who form the most likely market for your qualifications
- Develop familiarity and self-confidence in your career interest
- Observe people at work in their work setting
- Gain recognition and visibility in your field
- Learn interviewing skills without the pressure of an actual interview
- Build confidence in your ability to discuss your career interests and goals
- Provide support during your job search
- Get additional leads to jobs and/or information
- Develop a knowledge of the vocabulary of the field
- Gather information that will make a positive impression on employers in a cover letter or a job interview
- Help maintain employability in highly uncertain job market
Last updated on Monday, September 18, 06 at 01:41:17 PM EDT.
