Successful Networking Strategies
Interviewing
If you're conducting a job search or considering a career transition, "networking" is an approach that will multiply your employment opportunities. Imagine having a team of experts helping you conduct a job search campaign. That's what effective networking can do for you. A successful networking campaign takes time and fortitude, but the rewards are far-reaching: the experience will help you identify your transferable skills and enable you to communicate them effectively with others. The networking process is a reciprocal activity-a give-and-take approach to finding meaningful employment. Networking is accessing the knowledge and wisdom of others, and with the right approach, you'll find that most people will be happy to share their expertise with you. The right approach requires preparation, for as you cultivate your networking skills, you'll be expected to share your knowledge as well.
A Wealth of Information
The first steps to networking are self-assessment, research, and organization. Careful assessment of your experience, skills and aspirations will help you to clarify the direction you want to take and the type of work you're interested in. Writing a prospectus that defines the skills you want to use in a specific line of work will help, but you'll need more information: What about the trends in a particular industry? What are the ways in which you can apply your experience and skills to specific employment objectives? Are your skills transferable? You need access to information. To get in touch those who have the answers, you must compile a database of names: a listing of the people you know and a listing of the people you wish to contact for interviews. There are many sources from which to gather names:
- Begin with people you come into contact with everyday, i.e., friends, family, professors, bosses, co-workers, members of your church or synagogue, new acquaintances, etc.
- Research career center directories for company information, professional associations, and people doing the type of work you want to do.
- Search company home pages on the Internet; you'll find names of professionals who run the organizations. Communicate with professionals in chat rooms, discussion groups, through e-mail, and on bulletin boards.
Compile a list of all the people you know, and a list of your top prospects. If you don't know the name of a prospect who holds a key position that you wish to explore, contact the department in which she/he works, and ask for a name. Show your prospect list to everybody you know, and ask them if they know anyone on the list. If they don't know anyone on the list, ask them if they know anyone in a similar position. If one of your acquaintances knows any of your prospects, ask if you can use his or her name as a referral. Joining a professional association is a great way to make direct networking contact with knowledgeable people. Contact all of your referrals for appointments, regardless of their importance. All networking will not be productive, but remember, everybody you meet knows somebody important. What at first seems like an unproductive networking experience may end up producing a referral that leads to the opportunity of a lifetime.
Map Your Strategy
Set daily and weekly goals for networking: making phone calls, contacting referrals, interviewing contacts, and writing approach letters and thank-you notes. Letters are good ice-breakers, but they are easily set aside. Calls are great if you can get through the screening process. Keep your requests for interviews low key: identify who referred you, explain your career objective, and request 20 to 30 minutes of time to discuss the ideas that you've formulated. Whether you're defining or broadening your career options, emphasize that you are seeking ways in which you can utilize your skills more effectively. Agree to meet your contact at her or his convenience.
Network Meetings
You are responsible for what takes place in your meeting. Arrive prepared to talk briefly about your skills and accomplishments. Your objective is to learn how your ability can be utilized most effectively. Ask your contact how, in his or her opinion, your skills can fit into a specific position or field. Brainstorm with your contact, and try to make the meeting as informal and fun as possible. Ask about trends in the career you are exploring. Share your knowledge and expertise as well. Ask for names of others who could be helpful in your campaign, and add them to your list. Write a thank-you note the day after your meeting, pointing out ways in which your contact has been helpful. Stay in touch with your contacts; you may need their advice in the future. Finally, keep your network alive: when your networking endeavors yield the job you've been seeking, thank your contacts again. You may wish to enlist an exchange of information with them in the future.
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