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Seven Tips For Better Networking by Pat Lewis As you may know from reading Executive Insider, at ExecuNet we like to raise the "Networking Flag" as often as we can. In our opinion, networking is not just an activity you do when looking for a job, but part of the bigger picture of "career management". In a recent survey of our members, some 32% rated building a network as their most important career management activity. How would you rate the health of your current networking activities? Here are seven tips to give your networking some renewed vitality: 1) Develop a weekly networking review list. This list represents your weekly log of new and old contacts that you've connected with, either face-to-face, by phone, fax, or e-mail. Review the list each week and look at your level of activity. Your list will be a gage as to how well you're doing. 2) Make time for lunch. (Really). Meeting with vendors, colleagues, ex-colleagues, new contacts, etc, will broaden yourself, your exposure, your value, and your possibilities. We all know how busy it can get, but make the time to get out there. You'll find it pays-off in the long run. 3) Volunteer for any new cross-functional teams that are being created so that you can meet and work with new people. 4) Always look to grow your network. Adding one person per week will give you 52 new people to connect with in a year. 5) As we often say, "giving something back" is the best way of being remembered and referred. Always demonstrate your interest and willingness to support your networking relationship by offering your assistance. 6) Keep track of your discussions with your contacts. This way you can ask the status of issues or individuals that were discussed earlier, rather that simply asking, "So, what's new?" 7) Never walk into a meeting empty-handed. Try to always have some information, some idea, some bit of news that might be of interest to the other person. This way, you both walk away with a sense of having received something and have increased your connectedness. For additional advice on networking and access to resources that can help streamline a search at no cost, log on to http://www.execunet.com. Director, ExecuNet 800-637-3126 Fax: 203-840-8320 |
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