Building A Professional Network

Networking is a valuable tool that can significantly expand your opportunities and enhance the effectiveness of your job search. People are by nature helpful and typically willing to help others. Networking enables you to use this natural human inclination to further your career objectives.

What is Networking?

Networking is simply "talking to people." When people advise you to network, they are suggesting that you expand your conversations to include as many people as possible.

How to Network

A. Make a List

The list should include every person to whom you can talk. It is not essential that the people you list be friends, or even acquaintances, just any and all people with whom you have enough of a common thread to initiate a conversation. Use the telephone test; if you can pick up the phone and call, for any reason, the person is a potential networking contact. Using this loose definition, most people have hundreds, perhaps even thousands of contacts.

B. Make it Easy

Maximize the use of your network by giving contacts an EASY way to help you. Avoid open-ended requests for help such as: "I am looking for a job. Do you know of any jobs?" Instead, ask for tips, leads and suggestions. (If contacts know of a specific job that fits your experience, they will tell you!) Good questions include: who did you send your resume to at ABC company? Do you know anyone who works for ABC Company or XYZ Company? Ask for specific leads, information, and introductions.

C. Do not Prejudge Contacts

The most helpful contacts may not be the most obvious. Do not limit yourself by assuming that your gardener knows nothing about the legal profession; his father may be the Attorney General. Remember that everyone has a network and your contacts may introduce you to their contacts.

Sources for Networking Contacts

Remember that you only need a connection (such as a mutual friend) that allows you to call and identify yourself.

A. Personal Contacts

Friends, acquaintances, neighbors, relatives, classmates, teachers, club members.

B. Professional Contacts

Employers, supervisors, colleagues, subordinates, clients, customers, fellow association members

C. Internet Contacts

Subscribers to mailing lists you participate in, any personal or professional contacts that you might communicate with via e-mail.

Good luck developing your professional network. The more options you have, the better your choices will be!!