It’s a Small World – Networking

Author: CareerAlley

I ran into some former coworkers the other day both of whom I worked with a few years back at a large financial institution. I had also worked with one of the two, coincidentally, early in my career at another financial institution (yes, I’ve worked at lots of places). We got to talking and, at the end of an hour or so, had discussed an impressive and very long list of people we all knew from our travels in our careers. It was then that I realized that it really is a very small world. Depending on your industry and the city you work in, your network and extended network can span a very large number of people and companies.

• Formal and Informal Job Networking – So exactly what is an “informal” job network? This article, posted on Geekinterview.com, provides one definition of both formal and informal job networks. The article stresses how our ever more connected world has changed the way we network. As a first start to understanding networking, this article is a good start. There are related topic links at the bottom of the page as well as job search resources on the left hand side of the page.

• Job Search Networking: Merging Formal Networking with Informal Networking – One more post on this topic, Associatedcontent.com provides this article which provides a good overview of networking, followed by good definitions of formal and informal. The article is spread across two pages, so you will need to click on the next page at the bottom right hand side of the screen. Tabs at the top of the page provide links to additional job search resources (like networking events and Job Openings) with links to related articles at the bottom of the page.

• Networking Advice – What better place to seek out networking advice than the Rolls Royce of job search, The Riley Guide. In typical fashion, this page has an amazing number of links to networking tips and pointers. Directly below this are links to “netiquette” which is then followed by links to Online Networking. While you are here, don’t forget to look at all of the other related job search links but especially the other networking tips at the top of the page.

• Face to Face Networking for Introverts – What, don’t have the confidence to network? Not to worry. This article, posted by Miriam Salpeter on Secrets of the Job Hunt, provides some great advice for “breaking the ice” on your networking fears. My favorite is “Use the Buddy System” (although get a drink is appealing as well). Plenty of great advise, all presented in bite size chunks for quick reading.

• 20 Networking Mistakes You Should Not Make – It isn’t always as easy as it sounds. This article will help you avoid some of the most typical mistakes. Posted on Thewisdomjournal.com, there are some great tips like don’t be a time hog and creating a script (a much longer version of your elevator speech). This article is definitely worth a read.

Good luck in your search.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.