Whether you’re searching for a hot new restaurant to take that special someone, or if you’re searching for that dream job, networking will get the job done.  For the context of this article I will address professional networking because it is what I know and do best, everyday.  I was fortunate to learn the value of having a network in my early 20’s and I continue to benefit from it daily.

There are several networking fundamentals to understand before you can network effectively.  First and foremost, have a purpose or goal for making a connection.  You won’t get what you want unless you know what it is you want.  A goal of any job seeker is to find a job in which you enjoy the environment and enjoy the work.  When you find this combination, your day will fly by.  It’s critical to talk to people in different fields, and don’t be afraid to try different things out.  It’s great to connect with like-minded individuals but you will also learn much from those who are different from you.  Second, you must be willing to “put yourself out there”.   This means that you must be willing to step outside of your comfort zone to introduce yourself to another with confidence.   Corporate experience was my goal and I was able to get a variety of it early because I knew what I wanted and understood how to brand myself with confidence to a target connection.  Third, provide value first.  To me, networking is the selfless sharing of knowledge and resources for mutual benefit.  Be mindful of what value you can bring to the connection, or in a job search to the position/company.   Give of yourself and ask for nothing in return.  My purpose in doing so is to create options and help people.   Giving selflessly builds trust and increases your credibility, which are both instrumental in a positive business relationship.   Finally, understand that networking is a process that shouldn’t stop when you’ve landed a job or achieved your goal.  It’s an ongoing process and rewarding skill that becomes fun, but you must first be willing to step outside of your comfort zone and know what you want before the magic happens.

It’s ok to graduate college and not know exactly what you want to do. I was able to find my dream job prior to graduating because I networked at an internship.  Two months into an internship I realized that my manager didn’t have work for me and that internship would end unless I did something.  I received good advice to network internally to gain more experience and that is exactly what I did.  I emailed various department managers and introduced myself as an intern seeking project work.  I didn’t hear back from everyone but I didn’t take it personally, you can’t in networking because you won’t hear back from everyone.  As a result of my willingness to “put myself out there”, I found a passion for helping others get jobs and gained diverse experience.   A misconception about networking is that it only happens at events or career fairs.  With an open mind you can network and meet people anywhere!  A firm hand shake, eye contact, smile, and 20 second pitch is all that you need.

DePaul provides more than enough opportunities to network offering a variety of career fairs and events.  The Alumni Sharing Knowledge Program is a network of over 1000 DePaul Alumni ready and willing to help students/alumni get connected and network.  The opportunities are there but you must be willing and ready to engage.

Websites like Linkedin and Facebook are also great tools to connect with others.  You will find that more often than not, people want to help.   After establishing a network it’s important to keep it organized and managed in spreadsheet software that you can update.

As you continue to grow your network with new connections, you personally will also achieve greater success.   And the more you give of yourself to others, the more they will give back.  Believe me…it’s easy!

About the author:

John Jameson
Connecting Insights – Strategic Interviewing and Networking
www.connectinginsights.net
john@connectinginsights.net