The Essence of Successful Networking

What is networking?

We are already always networking.

Networks are communities of like-minded individuals building together toward common goals.

Networking for a job is simply the act of realizing where it is you belong and joining forces with people who share your same common interests. As your goals change, the role that people play in your life changes. And as you refine your goals your target companies take shape. So, networking is just this:

Define your Brand: 

What do you love to do? What are you good at? And what jobs are out there that match up?

Narrow down your target companies:

Only focus on those companies you are excited about and that share your values. Company culture matters more than job descriptions.

Recognize the specific role people play in your network:

Strategize about how the people you already know relate to your Brand and Target companies.  

Live your life so that your Brand is visible:

Give people a chance to connect you to your target companies. This works best by finding ways to help those who are already in your network.

As you develop your brand, narrow down your target companies and define the role that people play in your network, you will start to find opportunities to meet people with common interests. As you build upon those interests, you will network into a meaningful job and long term career.

(Along the way, if you need to get a survival job, it will be much easier because the passion that drives your long term job search will shine through in the survival job interview.:-)