Congratulations! You’ve found a job!
It was hard work to search for a job, network, complete applications, send out resumes and get through the interview process.
You have to learn how to do your job and do it well. You have to adapt to the culture of your company. This may be your first “real” job and you have to adjust to working full-time.
Who has time to network?
You must.
Networking will set you apart from your peers. It will give you the edge in a down market. It will give you options in a recession.
Networking is the key not only to finding a job, but finding success and fulfillment in your career.
If you are no longer looking for a job, where will you network?
Look to the people you admire in your field, inside and outside of your company. To which professional organizations do they belong?
Ask your manager or mentor to help you formulate a networking plan. This is especially important if you are in an industry that expects you to regularly bring in clients.
Sample a few organizations before you commit your time.
When you commit your time, truly commit yourself. Join committees. Hold a leadership position. Don’t just join an organization, serve an organization. It is a great way to get to know your fellow members and begin to establish your professional reputation.
As a professional, where do you find your networking time is best spent?
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Will Network for Work
If you are currently searching for a job in a particular industry, you may find that your options for networking events are overwhelming.
There are local, county and state professional associations. There are networking groups within religious organizations. There are civil groups such as your local or county chamber of commerce. There are regional alumni groups. There are meetups and start ups. There are breakfast meetings, lunch meetings, and happy hours.
You have a limited budget of both time and money. You must decide where you will spend your time networking.
But, where do you begin?
Start by looking to the leaders in your field. To which organizations do they belong? What committees do they join?
Reach out to people who are doing what you would like to do. Ask their advice.
Attend multiple meetings and talk to people. Ask them what they like about the organization and what they take away from it.
Slowly narrow down your organizations to a manageable group of organizations to which you can truly commit your time.
What organizations do you find most valuable to your job search?
There are local, county and state professional associations. There are networking groups within religious organizations. There are civil groups such as your local or county chamber of commerce. There are regional alumni groups. There are meetups and start ups. There are breakfast meetings, lunch meetings, and happy hours.
You have a limited budget of both time and money. You must decide where you will spend your time networking.
But, where do you begin?
Start by looking to the leaders in your field. To which organizations do they belong? What committees do they join?
Reach out to people who are doing what you would like to do. Ask their advice.
Attend multiple meetings and talk to people. Ask them what they like about the organization and what they take away from it.
Slowly narrow down your organizations to a manageable group of organizations to which you can truly commit your time.
What organizations do you find most valuable to your job search?
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
When Do You Network?
If you’ve read my book or followed by blog, you know that my favorite answer is every day!
Whether you have a full-time job, or are searching for the same, you may have noticed that there are many networking breakfast meetings.
If the thought of waking up an extra hour early to network makes you hide your head under the covers, you may want to think again.
Breakfast meetings are popular because they start before the regular workday. Before the office is open, before clients or customers start calling, you can attend an event once a week or once a month to boost your career.
But, you may be thinking, that’s SO early.
True.
But, according to this interesting article by Inc.Com, successful people are more likely to be up earlier. Whether they are getting into the office before the phones are ringing, finishing up a writing project or networking, there is evidence that suggests getting up earlier is the secret to success.
What do you think? Will you be getting up earlier and giving this a try?
Whether you have a full-time job, or are searching for the same, you may have noticed that there are many networking breakfast meetings.
If the thought of waking up an extra hour early to network makes you hide your head under the covers, you may want to think again.
Breakfast meetings are popular because they start before the regular workday. Before the office is open, before clients or customers start calling, you can attend an event once a week or once a month to boost your career.
But, you may be thinking, that’s SO early.
True.
But, according to this interesting article by Inc.Com, successful people are more likely to be up earlier. Whether they are getting into the office before the phones are ringing, finishing up a writing project or networking, there is evidence that suggests getting up earlier is the secret to success.
What do you think? Will you be getting up earlier and giving this a try?
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Mani/Pedi Networking
I love a nice manicure and pedicure. It’s a time to relax, slow down and be pampered.
According to the Wall Street Journal’s Jo Piazza, “Manicure Meetings” are more and more common among women in New York. It’s the professional woman’s answer to the boy’s club bonding over the 9th hole. At the nail salon, Piazza points out, you can’t reach for your phone to check your messages. You can’t jump out of a meeting to answer an important email. You have to engage, listen and contribute to conversation.
I know I would happily attend an evening meeting if it was a mani meeting.
As someone who truly appreciates the value of networking, I would love to see this taken in another direction as well. Instead of a cocktail networking meeting or early morning breakfast meeting, what about a mani/pedi/networking event? Here are my top five reasons for why I think this innovative event would be successful:
1. You can’t help but be relaxed as you network--you’re being pampered;
2. It’s something different, so different that the event in itself would spark conversation;
3. It’s an event that supports small businesses;
4. You can’t check your phone, emails, texts etc. while your nails are dry; and
5. It would help to build stronger community ties by hosting events where you live and work.
What do you think?
Read more about Jo Piazza's article here.
According to the Wall Street Journal’s Jo Piazza, “Manicure Meetings” are more and more common among women in New York. It’s the professional woman’s answer to the boy’s club bonding over the 9th hole. At the nail salon, Piazza points out, you can’t reach for your phone to check your messages. You can’t jump out of a meeting to answer an important email. You have to engage, listen and contribute to conversation.
I know I would happily attend an evening meeting if it was a mani meeting.
As someone who truly appreciates the value of networking, I would love to see this taken in another direction as well. Instead of a cocktail networking meeting or early morning breakfast meeting, what about a mani/pedi/networking event? Here are my top five reasons for why I think this innovative event would be successful:
1. You can’t help but be relaxed as you network--you’re being pampered;
2. It’s something different, so different that the event in itself would spark conversation;
3. It’s an event that supports small businesses;
4. You can’t check your phone, emails, texts etc. while your nails are dry; and
5. It would help to build stronger community ties by hosting events where you live and work.
What do you think?
Read more about Jo Piazza's article here.
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