Networking

I believe we all have the best intentions when it comes to networking.  We want to stay in touch with bosses and former coworkers, clients, fellow alums, etc. but it doesn't make our "to do" list.  Then one day we find ourselves in need of support and networking becomes a priority again.  

Have you found yourself in this situation?  

If so, don't worry. All is not lost.  You can learn how to best reach out to colleagues with whom you've lost touch with my Networking Lesson on Whole Living Daily. 

Whole Living Daily is the blog for Whole Living Magazine (formerly Body & Soul.)  I'm honored to be a career expert for this focused, relevant and much needed resource to help you live a balanced life in a busy world.  Find my career tips & advice each week on Whole Living Daily.

Unfortunately the best intentions aren't enough to create a great network.  But consider how you can put networking at the top of your list.  Make it a priority to network with former bosses and colleagues with tips and advice in this recent Washington Post article: Don't Slam the Door on Your Way Out by Dan Rafter.

What keeps you from networking?  Is it time?  Is it energy?  Is it having your elevator pitch?  Or perhaps you are a master networker with ideas and strategies to share.  All concerns, questions and comments are welcome.  Share them here and we'll help each other turn good networking into great networking!

It’s not the direct connections within our networks but the 2nd and 3rd degree contacts (friends of friends) that yield the most opportunity.  

In preparing to speak at a networking event this week, I realized how true this is.  Looking back, my initial interview at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia came through my college alumni network.  The head of HR was the wife of a fellow alum.  I didn’t know her but I had worked with her husband and had built a solid reputation. 

I took an informal poll on Facebook and Twitter to see how others had benefitted from their networks.  Several landed jobs through introductions.  One even built a successful business with publicity solely from her network. 

Using online networking tools like LinkedIn.com, it's easy to see not only whom you are connected to but your 2nd and 3rd degree contacts as well.  Recently I was on Martha Stewart Living Radio with Krista Canfield of LinkedIn.com and was amazed to see that I have almost 5.5 million contacts when looking at my network this way.  To see how far your network can go, put your profile online at LinkedIn.com and start building your contacts!

I also recommend following these key principles for effective networking: 

1. DEFINE: where you want to go with your career, what title or role you aspire to & what opportunity you seek.
2. ASK: share this information with your network to see which “friends of friends” might exist to help you reach your goals.  Don't forget to include high school, college, employer and community contacts in your network. 
3. GIVE: be someone people want to help, share your contacts and make connections for others, take a genuine interest in what others are doing and find proactive ways to help them reach their goals.  Give before you need help.

Expand your network and you will expand your opportunities!  Please share your tips and comments below on networking.  I'd love to hear the networking success stories, tips & advice that worked for you!  

• For my fellow Villanova alums looking to expand their networks, I'll be speaking at a networking event sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia chapter this Tuesday December 1st at 6:30pm on campus.  To sign up, click here.
• For those of you who can tune in, I'll be live on SIRIUS 112/ XM 157 on Living Today with Mario Bosquez at 1:30pm this Tuesday December 1st taking career questions at 1-866-675-6675. Click here for a free 30-day trial of SIRIUS!
  

Landing your next great opportunity doesn't need to involve an endless array of resume revisions, phone screens and interviews. 

There is an easier quicker way using less official channels and Marci Alboher was on Making a Living with Maggie this week to share her insights on this back door approach. According to Marci, a regular New York Times Contributor and Author of Working the New Economy blog, some of the best job opportunities are landed through contacts made at social events where people share a common interest whether that be kayaking or poker. Because the activity isn't work related, it gives people a chance to get to know each other's interpersonal style which is key part of working well together. 

Marci also stressed how important it is to become visible to your network for what you do best. To do that she suggested proactively looking for ways to help the people in your network using your expertise. For instance if you're a graphic designer and learn about a friend's new business venture, offer to help with some of the organization's marketing materials. It's an easy way to demonstrate your abilities to someone who could be in a position to hire you at some point. One word of caution, it "takes a longer courtship" as Marci puts it, to land a job in through unofficial channels. But considering that Marci landed a New York Times column through a monthly poker group of other journalists, it sounds like time well spent. 

For a replay of Making a Living with Maggie, tune in this Sunday at 6am EST. Use this FREE trial of SIRIUS Radio!

You'll also hear a very inspiring day in the life interview with Laura Howard. A former entertainment executive, Laura decided to combine her passion for food with her work and is now a very successful ice cream entrepreneur and founder of Laloo's Goat Milk Ice Cream. 

Here's to you Making a Great Living!

This week on my radio show, I'll be speaking with a man who has over 25,000 connections on networking site LinkedIn.com. In anticipation of the show, I wanted to hear from you in an informal survey:

1) Have you listed your professional profile on sites like LinkedIn.com?
2) Have you found a job using online networking?
3) Do you prefer online or in-person networking when it comes to landing a job?

Please comment on your answers to these questions and share your networking success stories. Most jobs are still found through referral. If we can help each other network more effectively, we may very well thrive not just survive this recession!