How do you Network

[tomalak301]

One of the biggest barriers I have in terms of finding a job or just anything is I don't get many opportunities to network. Perhaps it's just my shyness or lack of social life (Something I'm not really proud of) and I am an introvert, but it seems like the best way to find a job in this market is more about who you know rather than sending in resumes and hoping for an interview.

This week (And in the next few months) there are some recruiting events and meet the firms events set forth from my old community college. I've been to these before but I don't feel they've been successful.

Anyway, just a simple question regarding a job or life in general. What are the best ways to network, and if you got a job through networking, how were you able to cross those barriers?

 

[Rii]

I don't, and whenever I hear the term "social networking" I'm reminded of the passage from one of the Dune novels wherein Leto(?) says that machines condition their users to employ each other in the manner that they employ machines: as merely tools to an end.

 

[Holdfast]

There are several different aspects to networking:

1) finding opportunities
2) being able to schmooze effectively
3) actually being bothered to do so

1) is relatively straightforward - there are zillions of organisations/groups out there who love to host meetings/conferences or even plainly labelled "networking evenings". I guess it would be straightforward to use the internet too to find opportunities. More simply, keep an eye out for opportunities to network in your day to day life. Everyone knows someone, and face-face contact is much better for building relationships. I hate social phone conversations, for instance, and much prefer to do my schmoozing in person.

2) is simply a matter of practice - force yourself to practice small talk, conversation-steering, negotiation and you'll get better at it. You can do it effectively whether you're an extrovert or introvert. The only difference will be how tired you are when you go home!

3) is the real issue, at least for me. Most people who attend specific networking events are either deeply boring or deeply stupid, and often there's an overlap. The hit rate is appallingly low, but if you want to network, that's the price you have to pay. I prefer to be far more selective - cultivating particular contacts over time rather than trying to create a vast network of superficial random acquaintances. I guess this depends on your career/personality to some extent.

 

[An Officer]

I don't, and whenever I hear the term "social networking" I'm reminded of the passage from one of the Dune novels wherein Leto(?) says that machines condition their users to employ each other in the manner that they employ machines: as merely tools to an end.

Exactly. There is something cold and calculating about the practice.
I prefer to get to know people as people who I am genuinely interested in. Sincerity has it's own rewards.

 

[FPAlpha]

If you're in the service industry it pays to have good contacts with your customer and have a good working relationship with the guy/woman on the other side of the phone.

I can recount many times friends of mine had to be let go and asked their customer if there were any job opportunities at their place and since they already know you and your quality of service/work (important.. no bother asking if they always have some problems you caused).
It's an interesting experience to give orders to your former colleagues especially if you didn't like them

 

[Mallory]

Networking often works in mysterious ways. Sometimes you can make an impression of people without even realizing it. For example, I got six months worth of contract work in college from an older friend of mine that I spent months with restoring a 1960s Corvair. Totally unrelated from being a software engineer, but he had friends and recommended me. My first job out of college came about because a teacher I was friends with knew a guy who was starting up a new business. He was impressed by my contract work and hired me. At my next job I made it a point to spend at least an hour a day schmoozing, pretty soon I knew enough to ask about their spouse, kids, parents, pets, whatever. When the layoffs came in the early 80s recession and the company laid off about a hundred people, I suddenly had about a hundred companies that I could call if I wanted to change jobs. Since then I've never lacked for employment opportunities. And it all started with scavenging for fuel pumps for an old Corvair.

 

[Lindley]

I typically just use 802.11g.

 

[Commander Rabbit]

Perhaps it's just my shyness or lack of social life (Something I'm not really proud of) and I am an introvert,

That describes me, too.

I'm 59 and about to become unemployed next month. This is the first time I have actually done any networking to find a job. I'm able to do it this time because my current position involves making quite a few contacts in my field (outside my own agency).

Something you might want to do is get involved in some kind of volunteer work. It shows people what kind of worker you are and gives you a ready-made topic of conversation. And, if you're unemployed right now, it gives you something constructive to do.

 

[tomalak301]

I have been thinking about volunteer work, but I am currently employed. Just not part of the degree I've worked for. I know it's temporary for now, but it is a job, gives me something to do, and it's income coming in.

 

[Alpinemaps]

It's tough when you're first starting out. I don't actively network, but at the same time, I do. I attend regional events in my field. I do presentations. I volunteer my time, and I'm active on email lists within my community. So, now I"m on the receiving end of networking - everyone wants to network with me.

But, if you put yourself out there, and show yourself off as a good person, you'll get people in my position interested in helping you, without you even having to approach them.

 

[Commander Rabbit]

I have been thinking about volunteer work, but I am currently employed.

Not all volunteer work is on-going; maybe you have time help some organization w/ an occasional project? Or maybe there's something you could do on work time?

I currently volunteer w/ an agency that is related to the one I work for. It takes just a few days a year, all on work time (though if my boss had made a fuss about it, I would've agreed to use vacation time). The contacts I've made have been good for our agency and now will be helpful for my job search.

I also have known a couple people who were members of a State board (totally unrelated to their jobs), whose employers allowed them to attend the monthly meetings on work time. We're not talking high level people here, either -- one of them was a cook in a very small non-profit.