Networking as an Employee?

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?

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?

Associate! The Importance of Joining a Professional Association

This summer, I had the opportunity to attend the annual Association for Continuing Legal Education Administrators (ACLEA) meeting in Boston, MA.  It was a fabulous four day event that included conferences, exhibits and networking events.  I only recently began my career in continuing legal education (CLE) and I have a lot to learn.  Joining an association, attending meetings and joining committees is the best thing I can to do to gain expertise in my career.

Joining an association gives you the opportunity to meet colleagues and mentors.  Now, when I have a question about an application that I am working on or a bar association I am reaching out to, I have someone to whom I can ask questions.  I have someone with whom I can brainstorm ideas for new programming.

It also gave me the opportunity to meet and network with people who own businesses that are complimentary to mine.  This is a great opportunity to network and learn how we can help each other’s businesses grow.

Joining a national professional association puts me in a room with the big players in my industry.  I was able to meet national speakers, state bar directors, and the officers of the association.  This is a great opportunity to introduce myself and the work that I do.  Now when I send an email, I can include “It was so nice speaking to you at the ACLEA convention this summer. I hope you had a safe trip home to Colorado…”  I’m no longer sending “cold” emails. 

How can a professional association benefit your career?

Speak to people in your industry.  Ask them which organizations they are affiliated with.  In your industry, the local association may be the best way to network and make connections.  Maybe there are a few professional associations that you should look into joining; maybe there is only one.  You won’t know until you do some research.

Start your research today!