"You can make more friends in two months by becoming genuinely interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”  Dale Carnegie

Networking can be an important part of your job search strategy.  However, networking is not just for finding a job.  It is about resource identification, finding out about a chosen field, a company, or  job leads.  The key to networking is developing long-term mutually beneficial relationships. 

Developing your network of people, resources, and ideas occurs by establishing rapport with other people.  Building strong trustworthy relationships establishes links which may lead to recommendations.  The recommendation occurs because of your character and the other person’s understanding of you, your talents and abilities.  However, before your talents and abilities are understood, you need to put in the time and effort to understand the other person. 

Networking tips

·  Identify people with a history of helping others.

·  Network with anyone willing to introduce you to people.

·  There is strength in numbers, especially if you network with multiple people in the same organization.

·  Don’t rule people out just because they are not in your field. (Teachers, nurses,  ministers, and police officers may know more people working in your field  than you might think).

·  Engage others in conversation, don’t just give a sales pitch.

·  Listen attentively.  Listening could be more important than anything you could possibly say.

·  Who you know may get you in the door, but what you know will keep you there.

·  Remember that many  people who aren’t half as capable, qualified, talented and nice as you, are,  advancing simply because they connect with others and
make themselves visible.