How to successfully network?
Seven rules to follow for successful networking:
-
Don't ask for a job… Ask for information.
Networking is not about asking everyone you know for a job.
As a matter of fact, when you network you should never ask someone for
a job. You ask them for information that will help you in
your search. Your goal is to build a relationship and establish rapport
so that if a potential opportunity becomes available in the
future, your contact will want to refer you.
-
Don't take up too much of the other person's time.
Have an agenda and keep the meeting on track. Nothing scares
people more than the prospect of someone eating up a lot of their time.
Many people don't want to cram yet another meeting into
their already jam packed day.
-
Give the other person a chance to speak. Ask questions.
When you network it is imperative that you do not do all the
talking. If you have asked another person for advice, make sure he or
she has the opportunity to offer it. Also, when you do all
the talking, the other person might feel confused and unsure of what
action to take with the information you have supplied. Here
are some questions you can ask to keep your exchange balanced and
establish rapport.
- How long have you been with this company/ field?
- What do you like/ dislike about your job?
- What type of training do you need for positions such as yours?
- What is the culture of this company and what are its guiding principles?
- Ask for suggestions on how to expand your network.
One of the main goals of networking is to tap into the
network of the people you are meeting with. Each person you meet knows
200
or more people. If you can gain introductions to some of
them, you quickly increase your network and your chances of finding the
right connection. Ask your contacts if they can
recommend a professional organization or the names of some other people
you should
be talking to.
- Create a vehicle for followup.
If you want to establish rapport with another person,
create ways to keep the relationship going. Ask the person if you may
keep
them informed of your search progress. If you read an
article that pertains to a discussion you had at a networking meeting,
cut
it out and send it to them with a brief note. Try to
find at least two to three opportunities yearly to reconnect with
members of
your network.
- Find ways to reciprocate.
Building a network is about creating a genuine, caring
relationship. Thank your contact for the information they have supplied
and
see if you can help them in some way. Maybe your contact
is interested in living in an area that you are familiar with or has a
child interested in attending the same school you just
graduated from. Share your knowledge of the school and your experience
there as a way to help the other person. Keep notes on
what you learn about your contacts so that future correspondence can
have a personalized touch like "How was Jane's first
year of school?"
- Send a thank-you letter.
Always thank your contacts in person and follow up with a
letter. If your handwriting is legible, the personalized touch is
always appreciated.
In addition, consider these tips as you prepare for and maintain your job search and networking efforts:
- Do think creatively about where to find network contacts. You can find people to add to your network almost anywhere.
- Don't
go anywhere without copies of your resume and business cards or
networking cards. You can keep your resume in your car or briefcase,
but be sure you can access it easily if you meet someone who could pass
your resume along to a hiring manager.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. Most people are flattered to be asked for assistance and advice with your job search. It makes
them feel important.
- Do join a professional organization related to your field. Professional organizations were cited as the top venue for networking
- Do volunteer. Volunteer work was cited in the survey as the No. 2 way to make network contacts.
- Do
find a mentor. A mentor -- that one person who can guide you, help you,
take you under his or her wing and nurture your career quest -- can be
the most valuable kind of network contact.
- Do
come up with a system for organizing your network contacts, whether a
spreadsheet on your computer, a file box of index cards, a three-ring
binder, or whatever works for you.
- Don't
forget to thank everyone in your network who has been helpful to you,
preferably with a nice thank-you note. It’s just common courtesy to
show your appreciation for peoples’ time and assistance, and your
contacts will remember your good manners.
- Do keep networking even after you’ve found a job. You never know when you might need your network contacts again.
Source:
(http://www.quintcareers.com)
