Networking comes naturally to almost all of us. We network when we ask afriend's opinion of a movie. We network when we seek recommendations forgood doctors. We network when we try to line up cheap or free lodgings for atrip to Europe. And if the friends we ask can't tell us what we want to know, they often know someone who can. So why not network to learn about careerfields, companies, and job opportunities?Networking can accomplish four important things:
1. It can give you information that will help you direct your efforts moreproductively and present yourself better.
2. It can garner introductions to people who may control job opportunities.
3. It can let you in on these opportunities earlier in the cycle, giving you acompetitive advantage.
4. Finally, the networking process itself adds to your credibility, since theperson who refers you is adding his or her favorable judgment to yourqualifications.
While you certainly want to take advantage of on-campus interviews andInternet job services, you should also use networking to broaden and improveyour opportunities.
Networking comes naturally to almost all of us. We network when we ask a
friend's opinion of a movie. We network when we seek recommendations for
good doctors. We network when we try to line up cheap or free lodgings for a
trip to Europe. And if the friends we ask can't tell us what we want to know,
they often know someone who can. So why not network to learn about career
fields, companies, and job opportunities?
Networking can accomplish four important things:
1. It can give you information that will help you direct your efforts more
productively and present yourself better.
2. It can garner introductions to people who may control job opportunities.
3. It can let you in on these opportunities earlier in the cycle, giving you a
competitive advantage.
4. Finally, the networking process itself adds to your credibility, since the
person who refers you is adding his or her favorable judgment to your
qualifications.
While you certainly want to take advantage of on-campus interviews and
Internet job services, you should also use networking to broaden and improve
your opportunities.
Sonal Aurora is director and co- founder ofPerfman HR.
