Networking: Some Basic Tips to Improve Your Career
Everyone is always talking about "networking" - you see people
all the time who got jobs that you don't think they're the best
person for, or you watch people pass over you because they've
got the right friends. Networking is something everyone needs to
be actively doing to advance their career - it's actually much
easier than you'd think, and it's all about planting seeds for
the future.
The basics of networking are simple. If you know how to talk to
people and don't have problems with social interaction, all you
have to do is make friends. You don't have to be the closest
friend of somebody to gain benefits from their friendship - you
just need to be an acquaintance, someone they can call on if
they need something. Favors are the basis for networking - you
scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. You should always be ready
to do a favor for someone where it doesn't hurt you. If it just
takes up some of your time, it's well worth it - the whole point
of a favor is that it benefits the person receiving it much more
than it hurts the person giving it. That little bit of time can
mean that the other person is much more willing to help you out
in the future. The making friends part is easy as well - just go
join local organizations. They don't even have to be related to
your business - any social club where local business people meet
will do. The Rotary Club, your local church, a political group -
pick something you're interested in, and be active in it. Join
committees, and do things that will require you to meet
regularly with other people - you'll make friends with them, and
they'll be likely to help you out in the future in business if
you need it. A good network of friends can get you a job, find
you new business, or any number of other things.