Summary Sunday Clarifying Networking

Summary Sunday Clarifying Networking Perhaps one of the most misunderstood and botched activities in career management is networking. Either people dont do it, they do it wrong, or some combination of those two. Only a small number of savvy careerist get it! Ive rounded up some posts this week that might help you understand this concept better. I believe networking is one of, if not the, most important activities in your career! FYI: You dont just network when YOU need something. It must be a long-term strategy- not a job search crisis tool. Please, define Networking Bob Burgs interview in this My Treat blog post sums it up. (By the way, Bobs book The Go-Giver is a great read! RT @debra_feldman: Outstanding thoughts on #networking by @bobburg via @mytreat Develop Your Army bit.ly/U5PG8L â€" Hannah Morgan (@careersherpa) February 11, 2013 These are the highlights and I hope it entices you to go have a read! Defines networking as cultivating mutually beneficial, give and take, win/win relationships Networking not just about handing out business cards All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to, those people they know, like, and trust When meeting new people take time to find out about their lives and business When following up position yourself as a high quality resource Each time you communicate with someone else be thinking “how can i proved value” to them Remember, it’s not about you; it’s about them. Why Arent You Networking? It takes too much time It takes too much effort I dont know how It is uncomfortable I dont like meeting new people I hate it when I get contacted out of the blue by old acquaintances (really?) Or one of these Top 8 Excuses you are making for not networking. Please go read this post   In Hiring, A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed from the New York Times Referred candidates are twice as likely to land an interview as other applicants How do you think you become a referred candidate? Taking Your Networking Online This post from The Social Freelancer demonstrates the power of online networking and how it translates into in person networking. Tracy Ready was just an ordinary guy trying to make a living! He still is, but his life is richer because he understands the value of relationships. The influence of social at its finest! RT @markwschaefer: A beautiful post from @tracetv: REAL Social Media:tracetv.tv/6032/real-soci… â€" Hannah Morgan (@careersherpa) February 13, 2013 I don’t really “know” Mark Schaefer, but I have been a reader and fan of his excellent work at BusinessesGrow.com for a few years now. He has also kindly shared some of my posts from this blog on Twitter. For Christmas, my wife gave me a copy of Mark’s book on influence marketing “ROI â€" Return on Influence” which I read and enjoyed immensely. A special shout out to the many online friends who have become IRL friends! Each one has a story and I am so fortunate to know you all!