Blog Post: Networking Notworking? Find Out Why

Networking, it is all over the place, it seems you don’t have a chance to find a job or a career unless you NETWORK.  Networking came into style about the same time two people appeared on earth.  It has been going on virtually forever, it is a normal way to do business and we would not be able to survive without it.

That being said, in the context of networking to find a job, an understanding of the dynamics, rules and etiquette are absolutely necessary to achieve success.

Most often, the failures encountered during a networking attempt can be pinpointed to the expectations of the meeting not being achieved.  As with most things in life, failures are measured by outcomes, outcomes are expectations; expectations not being met are regarded as failures. 

If you want to be successful at networking, it is imperative you know what you are expecting from a particular meeting or event.  With the desired outcome identified, you must seek the event or venue that will meet your objectives.  Selecting the appropriate venue depends upon your goals. 

Set your goals:

Meet a hiring manager?

Meet an employee of a target company?

Get a job offer?

Meet a community leader?

Meet a dedicated professional, ie President of the "Local Chapter"

Set reasonable and attainable goals, learn the appropriate etiquette and learn the correct way to follow-up and build the network.  Do this well and you will be successful in your search.  Do this without the skills and a plan and you will waste time and money looking for work. 

Visit www.mycareerstartshere.com for more information on Networking and how to make it work for you.