| The Ideal Action Plan for Career Networking |
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by WorkBloom
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The goal of career networking is to start, develop
and maintain specific relationships that
will be important
to you now and in the future. Networking allows you to
share information, resources, opportunities and time
with others.
Here are some tips and guidelines to follow:
- Don't start networking when
you need to. Look at networking as part of your job.
- Use a notebook, index card or address book to
maintain and keep track of your contacts. You don’t
want any of these contacts to fall through the
cracks. Save all the
business cards that are handed to
you, write down the date when you had an
interaction with someone at a meeting, on a phone
call or elsewhere. Make a written record of who
referred you to a job lead and how you followed up
with the lead.
- Ask for information and help,
but also offer same. This will show that you are in
good faith and will only go toward strengthening
your relationship with the other person.
- Keep your word. If you say
that you are going to do something do it.
- Be appreciative of other
people's time.
- Always be professional, you
never know where a job lead may come from.
- Get the word out about your job hunt. It is not
only about the people that you know, but also the
people that they know.
- Let people know what you want
or what you are looking for. Looking for a job is
not precise enough and will not allow those who want
to help you to do so.
- Have your own support network of people that are
familiar with your strengths and who will
give you advice
when needed
(what career coaches often refer to as your "board
of directors").
- Smile, be positive and show
confidence.
- Step outside of your comfort
zone. Practice makes perfect.
- Networking doesn't mean that
you have to change who you are. It only means to
open yourself up to others.
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