Have you ever found yourself in a room full of unfamilar people all trying to push their product or service.  I know I have and sometimes it can feel very uncomfortable. There were may times that I would walk away from these events with a handfull of business cards and not a lot else. 

I do however still believe in the power of networking for both business and future employment and therefore decided to get some tips from a good friend of mine Sean Reddell who has years of expertise in the area.  

I am now going to functions  to meet people that may be able to assist using my network and taking more time to get to know their business, remembering their names, doing my best to make a good impression and seeking to build relationships.  Who knows their company may well be looking for someone with my exact skills in the future.   

First the background on Sean.  He runs a career management company http://www.blazeunlimited.com.au and has done his fair share of networking, so I asked him to give me some more advise on becoming a better networker.  Believe it or not I met Sean while playing a game of squash with a mutual friend.  He provided me with some great advise at the time and I have been kept up to date with his newsletters ever since.

Sean said - "Like most things in life, there are right ways and wrong ways of networking. After working with many of my clients on developing this valuable skill I think it’s time to dispel a few of the myths and in doing so encourage each of you to develop and tap into the incredible power of networking.

In my experience networking is one of the most important career, business and personal relationship skills an individual can have.When performed effectively it is a genuine connection (or relationship) between two individuals seeking to explore mutual benefit at some point in the future.

The benefits of networking are numerous and well established.Here are just a few of them:

  • Great source of access to the ‘hidden job market’ – that elusive area where up to 80% of vacancies are promoted and filled… without being advertised.
  • Exposure to decision makers in your organisation that are able to provide development and/or promotional opportunities supporting your career.
  • People do business with people they know and like – from their own personal/professional networks, grow your business through your networks.

Ian Benjamin, professional speaker, consultant and author of a book on the topic of networking, suggests the following…

“It’s not what you know, it’s not who you know, but who knows YOU” that will determine your success in your chosen field.

Here's the summary -

With a genuine interest in the other person and with a focus on how you can add value is the short answer.Don’t approach networking with a “what’s in it for me” attitude.This is despite the fact that you may have some very specific outcomes you’d like to get from your network.

What I’d like you to do is to think of networking as simply building relationships.Now most people I know are capable of, and comfortable with, building relationships.  Furthermore, most people I know are happy to ask a friend to help them move house, or to read over a job application, or to ask a neighbor for a cup of sugar.  It’s just that as soon as you add the word “networking” to the process many people get cynical, scared, or simply end up with a bad taste in their mouths.If you are concerned about appearing mercenary, pushy, selfish, or annoying then you are thinking the right way and more importantly, have four key things to focus on that will ensure your networking efforts don’t come across that way.

Some tips.

  • Networking is a long term strategy – develop your networks when you don’t need them so they will be there when you do.
  • Look for mutual benefit - find opportunities to proactively help those in your network.
  • Work on developing your network one step at a time – projecting into the future and making assumptions about who can help you, and with what, will only trigger your fears and stop you from progressing at all
  • Nurture your network – it’s made up of living people so it needs to be looked after like a living thing (much like a garden really).
  • Value your network – demonstrate how important these relationships are to you and those involved through respectful interactions, only passing on appropriate contacts and following up to make sure your contact was treated well.

These tips are general philosophical approaches that I use and that have served me well.They ensure that the relationship between me and those who are in my network is genuine, respectful and remains productive.If you want specific “How to” tips we have a wide range of resources that are available (just ask) or a simple Google search will reveal millions of pages on the topic.

Speaking of the internet... The internet has changed the face of networking.Now more than ever we really are a virtual hop, step and a jump away from just about everyone.Social networking sites like FaceBook and MySpace are hugely popular and are rapidly becoming valid business tools.Just look to see how many unknowns have been launched into stardom through sites like YouTube.

So.The take-away message today is don’t overlook the power of networking in your own life.Think of it like a parachute.It would be better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Approach it like you would any normal relationship with the same level of respect and you’re off to a great start!

If you have any thoughts on jobs in Australia.... please feel free to drop me an email.

Chris Bauman
The Jobjett Team - Get Headhunted !

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