Today’s economic environment has proven that almost every industry and profession provides little job security. Whether we work for a Fortune 500 corporation or start-up business, we are all “self-employed”. Corporate downsizing, outsourcing and consolidation are ever increasing the volatility in our employment and the frequency of our job changes. Networking, both social and professional, is one of the most important skills you need to survive these uncertain times.
Modern technology has created a variety of ways for us to build our social and professional networks. All you need is a laptop and wifi to make new “friends” or “connections” every day via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and the many other networking websites available to us. According to the Wall Street Journal, leading networking websites attract approximately 110 million unique visitors each month. While these virtual connections are helpful, they have become commoditized due to their saturation on the internet.
Building your social and professional capital is as important today as it has ever been. You should consider your network to be as valuable as your education, industry certifications and professional skill set when it comes to career advancement / placement. While virtual networks are good, tangible networks are better. As the popularity of social media continues to grow, I believe that it will only revive the need for face-to-face networking as a means to differentiate oneself from the rest. While it’s easy to ‘Accept a Friend’, it’s certainly worth the effort it takes to meet people in-person. Join networking groups, professional associations and social clubs; even something as simple as volunteering can introduce you to new and interesting people.
A few quick tips to help you develop your network:
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Expand your horizons. Meet people from different companies / industries. You never know when you might consider switching career paths or might meet a potential customer / client.
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Never eat alone. It’s a bit cliché, but lunch and afternoon coffee breaks are great opportunities to arrange quick meetings with new contacts. Take full advantage of this downtime.
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Scratch their back. Always look for opportunities to help the people that you need help from. If you can make a connection for them, they are more likely to return the favor.
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Ask questions. It’s not an interrogation, but make sure to ask new people you meet about their background (ex. Where else have you worked?) and current involvement in the community (ex. What groups are you a member of?). You never know how a person’s past might help you in the present.
