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CNBC.com has an excellent article “Network Your Way to Your Next Job!“ (by: Connie Thanasoulis-Cerrachio)
In it you will find 5 tips on how to network effectively. In a nutshell, the tips include:
Tip #1: If you are really nervous about approaching someone, don’t approach them just yet. Observe and watch others in the room. See how they do it and read their body language. Are they establishing good eye contact, but not staring people down? Are they shaking hands and smiling at the same time?
Tip #2: Ask open ended questions like how did they get into the business they are in? Keep it positive but allow them to do the talking! Be authentic. Another great networking question would be to ask what advice they could give to you at this point in your career. Again – the trick is to NOT ask for a job.
Tip #3: Have thick skin. If someone doesn’t get back to you, do not take it personally. Continue to network with them by sending them articles that may be of interest to them (if you let them talk enough, you’ll find out what they are interested in), send them a holiday card, send them an article about their company, their industry, about themselves if they are in the news.
Tip #4: Create a LinkedIn account, and start to include everyone you know. This should include present and past co-workers, people you went to school with, people you play sports with, people from your place of worship. In fact, as an exercise, you should create a list of at least 100 people you know, and attempt to connect with them via LinkedIn.
Tip #5: Ramp up activities during prime networking seasons/events like the holidays and summertime BBQs. Get out there and act like things are going well because positive attracts positive and negativity repels.
Tip #6: Keep a calendar and proactively network with people every single day because the more you network, the easier it will become. The world couldn’t turn and business couldn’t be done without networking, yet you’ll not find one networking class in a college or university.
We at JobNetworkingCenter.com recommend everything you have just read, but would like to take you to the next level. Join several job networking groups in your area. If you are in the Atlanta area, find networking groups at JobNetworkingCenter.com by “Event Locations” or “Event Calendar“ .
If you have more tips, we would like to hear from you.
Bob
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