The Magic of Networking
One of the best ways to achieve success in your own life is to talk to others with similar interests and see what has worked for them. Why reinvent the wheel?
I recently read a survey that showed that many recent college graduates felt one of the greatest benefits of their college experience was the development of their social structure and opportunities. In particular, the personal development that results from meeting new people and sharing new experiences and desires, frequently referred to as networking. Many of these individuals said they were able to find the job they wanted by help they received from friends, and friends of friends, made during their college years. In my opinion they are exactly right and have found the secret to a successful life very early in their careers. As a matter of fact, I consider networking the number one key to success and I say that without exaggerating.
One of the wisest things anyone can do in life is find out what the other guy is doing and thinking. Just getting out there and communicating and meeting people can help you more than you can imagine. Networking can make you friends and it can make you money. It is definitely a method of finding balance in your life. If you continue to try to accomplish all your life's goals alone, you will be traveling a difficult path; a path that might never lead to a successful conclusion.
Let's say you are currently looking for that dream job. You should keep in mind that only about 5 to 10 percent of all new jobs are actually posted in the classified ads of your local newspaper or on the Internet. The rest are filled by word of mouth. And that means you should be out there networking, talking to people about your next high level position. Yes, you've heard it all your life and it might sound trite but it is all about who you know…not what you know. Don't get me wrong, you still have to be qualified, but if you're in the path of a new position that just opened up then chances are you'll be in a good position to take the job. Let me quote another cliché saying, you must be in the right place at the right time. There is a lot of truth to that statement. Your goal is to talk to as many people as possible about the position you're looking for. And don't be afraid to have others do some networking for you.
We are in the technology age with so many resources connected electronically. The tools we take for granted today were virtually non-existent a decade ago. The speed at which we are able to communicate and the resources available are overwhelming! Connect with others through surfing the Internet, text messaging on your cell phone, instant messages, email or chat rooms. Check Web sites for various corporate openings and don't forget the major job search sites like Monster.com.
Relationships are critical to success; so often, knowing the right person to ask is as valuable as knowing the answer yourself, if not more so. Being well-connected is the ultimate source of personal effectiveness. And it's now a case of shared success - with what you can give being as important as what you get out of your networking success.
Start creating your personal network today. Chances are you've already started without even realizing it. Perhaps you recently attended a professional or trade association meeting, volunteered your time to help a non-profit organization, started a conversation with someone at the dentist's office or went to a Chamber of Commerce breakfast. Those are all examples of networking. And remember networking does not have to be a carefully managed process of meeting and greeting people. Often it's more effective on a more informal basis, but remember - networking is always a two-way street. It must benefit both persons to be most effective. So as you ask your network for help when you need it, be prepared to return the favor when asked.
Originally published in the Outspoken e-newsletter.