Networking can be for two reasons. One to gain contacts, information and leads OR two to increase awareness and educate yourself about jobs and the market. And when you are looking to gain awareness and education you want to be inspired.

What does that mean? It means that networking with inspirational people helps us to see what is possible, to give us courage and strength to challenge ourselves, or to give up unhealthy practices and replace them with effective ones.

I advise my coaching clients to:

  • Network with people who can inspire them with their stories. 
  • Look for mentors who can also motivate and influence them through their experience. 
  • Network with other job-seekers can be useful for information and as a support mechanism.
  • Hang out with people who are already working in that career if they want to change direction. 
     

And I also advise my clients NOT to:

  • Spend a lot of time with people who are desperate or negative about their job hunt.
  • Hang out with people who are jaded or broken down by their job search.
  • Network with people who are not inspiring or who cannot educate them

In Hollywood there are lots of people desperately trying to break in, who spend a lot of time with other people who are also desperately trying to break in. 

Be inspired by networking

Author's Bio: 

David Couper is a career coach and writer who for the last twenty years has worked in Europe, Asia, and in the USA with major organizations including the BBC, Fuji Television, Mattel, Sony, and Warner Bros.

He has successfully coached individuals at all levels including CEOs of major companies wanting a new challenge, frustrated souls wanting to make their dream come true, and front-line employees laid off and desperate to get a job.

David has published seven books. His works on interpersonal skills, counseling in the workplace, and management issues (published by Connaught, Gower, HRD Press, Longman, Macmillan/Pearson Publishing, Oxford University Press) have been translated into Swedish, Polish, and Danish, and published in the UK and the USA.

David has a degree in Communication, a postgraduate qualification in education, is certified in a number of training technologies, and has a Masters in Psychology. He is a member of the American Society of Training and Development, Society of Human Resources Professional, Writers Guild and the British Academy of Film and Television.

He has dual US/UK citizenship and speaks French and Japanese.

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