Remember the saying, "It's not what you know, it's who you know"? The "who you know" is established through networking. Don't wait until you need a job to start.
How Can I Help You?
The most effective networking isn't about getting a job, it's about helping people. But the end result could land you in your next big opportunity.
The best way to show your value is by helping people find their next opportunity. It provides people with insight into what you're about, and who you are. Those are the kind of people we want to work with; those are the kind of people we want to help. You should always be thinking, "How can I help you".
You should constantly be looking for opportunities to network: standing in line at the supermarket: going to the gas station, standing in line at Starbucks, air travel, sports activities, and church. Don’t be afraid to ask people what they do and where they work. Many people are more than happy to talk about their job and careers. Be prepared to discuss your background and skill set at any time and any place. You never know when the occasion will present itself and what opportunities you will discover. Have a business card at hand that helps these people remember you. You never know when someone will reach out with a new opportunity.
Your Elevator Speech
A big part of networking is your elevator speech, a 30-60 second summary about who you are. Most elevator talks include name, experience level, job titles, skill sets, target companies, and how you can help others. Creating your elevator speech is a very simple task, just make sure to practice. The elevator speech will constantly evolve, and change to your current situation (are you employed or in transition). To coin a phrase “practice makes perfect”, it is a good idea to call your home phone and leave your 30 second elevator speech on your answering machine. You can then listen and critique your presentation. Have family, friends, and colleagues give you pointers to enhance your elevator speech. Have fun with it, and create something that people will remember and think of you in the future. Visit our article on How to Create an Elevator Speech for more help.
Getting Connected
Networking today takes on many faces, and I explore different tools and methodologies in several articles, at buubug.com, that can help you connect with new people, strengthen existing connections, and leverage off these relationships to find your next opportunity.
See these articles for more information:
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