Networking and Your Career

Establishing mutually supportive associations for a variety of reasons is known as networking. Practically anyone whom you have met can be a part of your network, but obviously, not all members are active.

Remember to receive each person into your network and you will be astounded at how you will be lead to other contacts who eventually become a part of your own network. The associations that you establish are bi-directional and you need to offer support and value to each member as well as ask for it. Why do you need to network? Simple - it can be considered as one of the most effective career advancement tools.

Benefits of networking:



As commonly believed, networking is not merely a means to acquire a job for yourself. While it could in due course navigate to career opportunities, there are several other ways you can benefit from networking. Remember that nothing essentially can surpass its benefits and although the first person you contact for help may not have all the answers, it is a step which kick starts a journey which eventually leads to your success.

• You can get in-depth knowledge on a variety of subject matter which you are interested in but are unfamiliar with.
• Networking helps you to get recommendations if you are on the look out for new employees.
• It also helps in you getting extensive feedback regarding potential employers and clients.
• From the members of your network, you can acquire information about a certain occupation.
• Competition of job hunting can be reduced to a great hunting by getting information about an opportunity not yet advertised.
• Instead of making a cold call application or interviewing for people unknown to you, networking can provide referrals that could make the process of acquiring the job easier.
• It is more productive than going through advertisements and is less stressful.

Because networking is essentially a proactive technique to achieve career advancement and opportunities, you need to also be very alert about whom you should have as an active member. You need to make a proper list of members within your web who can assist you most in your career and work a great deal towards maintaining these relationships. Sooner or later they are bound to be useful. Master the art of staying connected to as many people as possible. It's inexpensive and easy. It only takes a single phone call or an email and that isn't making too much of an effort. Form connections based on common interests and do everything within your power to care for them. It is a two way process - you feed them and you will be amazed at how well your network feeds you.

Nothing else equals up to networking. Presidents have been put in office due to networking. Billions of dollars have been raised due to networking. Countless professionals have reached soaring heights only because of networking. Are you still thinking? Wake up, form your own network and watch the growth chart of your career - you will be amazed at the leap!