Networking With a Purpose

There's a very good chance your network is going to lead you to your next job. You'll get a better net return on an hour spent networking than an hour spent scouring job boards online. 

Knowing how important those connections can be, some people turn themselves into networking machines. They go to networking breakfasts, networking social events, networking receptions, networking roundtables, and networking workshops. They sign up for everything and show up at everything.

Cartoon Network

They invest massive amounts of time. They meet some interesting people - and strike up some acquaintances.

Yet all too often, they fail to find work. And they wonder why.

This type of hyper-networking doesn't bear fruit because it's not targeted.

Networking for the sake of networking...it isn't very effective.

The point is not to shake every hand, collect as many business cards as possible, or meet every business person in town. The plan should be to meet people who can help you achieve your goal.

What is your goal? ("To get a job" doesn't qualify.)

If you don't have a specific objective in mind, stop. Don't do another thing before you figure that out. The more specific you can be (i.e. type of job, company), the more you're going to get out of the effort you apply to networking.

Once you know you want to work for Company ABC, for example, then you know who you need to target to help you get your foot inside the door. You know which types of networking events are more likely to be useful to you. You know who you need to make a point of talking with at these events. You can think about people you already know to see if any of them can help you...if none of them has a direct connection to the company, one of them might know someone who does. You can create a short list of people who work at the company whom you'd like to meet - and then you can figure out how to make it happen. And so on.

Use your time wisely. Network with a purpose. You'll get much better results.

Networking With a Purpose

Rebecca Metschke helps professionals improve their marketability. The author of The Interview Edge (http://www.TheInterviewEdge.com), a comprehensive career guide to career management, she also writes a daily blog posting strategies, tips and advice for thsoe whose careers are in transition (http://blog.TheInterviewEdge.com). You're welcome to friend her on Facebook.