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?

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?

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.

Incubator

This past spring, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Wagner College’s Business Program.  This innovative program offers an exciting class under Professor Frank DeSimone, which gives students the opportunity to work with businesses to develop marketing and advertising goals.  As part of the course, students work to develop these goals into actual products.  At the end of the semester, the company has received a product or several products that they can implement immediately and students receive opportunities to build their skills, create a portfolio of work, and network.  

The Graduate’s Guide to Networking was chosen to be a part of this incubator project.  The students I worked with, Symphonie, Kayla, Samantha, Kathrine and Lauren, designed a new logo, prepared advertising copy and revamped our social media.

I was expecting great things from these Wagner students.

I was blown away by their creativity, technical skills, and problem solving.  The commitment and dedication that was shown by the students I was lucky to work with was truly admirable.  Ultimately for these students, this was a class project, however, I never felt that I was working with anyone less than a professional.

Thank you so much Symphonie, Kayla, Samantha, Kathrine and Lauren.  With your work ethic, positivity and creativity, I know you will accomplish all that you pursue.

Congratulations, What's Next?

Congratulations New Graduates!

Whether you have graduated from high school, college, graduate school or professional school, you deserve to take time to appreciate and celebrate your accomplishments.

Maybe you will have a small intimate dinner party to celebrate.  Maybe you have the party of the century planned to celebrate FINALLY getting your degree.

Whatever your celebration plans, be prepared for the party.

“Congratulations!” Your neighbor will greet you.  “What are you going to do now?” He’ll ask.

And your stomach drops.  The balloons deflate.  The room grows silent.

What are you going to do now?

Maybe you have a fantastic job lined up with a Fortune 500 company that offered to pay off your student loans as a sign on bonus.  

Right.

Most likely, you are like the majority of the Class of 2012 and you aren’t quite sure what your next step will be.  You are casting a wide net in your job search, but continue to come up empty.

Breathe easier.  You have a tremendous networking opportunity before you--your own graduation party.

Mingle, talk to the people who support and love you.  

Dream, let people know what you’d like to accomplish.

And most of all, celebrate your accomplishments today.  You’ve earned it.  

DIY Student & Alumni Networking Event

Alumni are fabulous networking resources.  They have been where you are and have the experience and drive to help you.

Where do you meet alumni?

Contact career services at your college or alma mater.  They often organize events each semester to bring alumni back to campus.  Often, the career services director reaches out to a wide pool of alumni and extends an invitation.  Alumni from a variety of academic backgrounds will attend.  It is a great opportunity that you should take full advantage of when available. 

Would you like to take your networking up a notch?

Organize a student-alumni get together for alumni of your department, organization or team.  Utilize your organization’s contacts as well as the college’s alumni development office.  Arrange for food and drinks, because everyone is more social when they are well-fed.  Be prepared to talk about the accomplishments that have occurred in your time with the group.  Did your team qualify for a tournament?  Did your department present at a national conference?  Don’t forget to bring a sign-up sheet so alumni can be placed on your mailing list for future events.

You now have successfully organized an event where students can network with alumni with whom they have strong ties. 

Encourage this student-alumni relationship by hosting a yearly event to bring alumni back to campus.  Create a newsletter detailing events and accomplishments and email it to the alumni on your mailing list.

The more alumni know about your organization, the more they will be willing and able to help.