Networking for a Successful Career

Many people mistakenly assume that professional life begins with a job hunt and successfully securing employment. In reality our professional lives begin in the last few years of high school and although we are not expected to decide on a career path, our internships, extra curricular activities and whom we choose to socialize with all play a vital role in determining the ease with which we can find a job after graduation and our later years. Networking is a vital ingredient in any job search or career success and needs to be built over the years using organization, regularity and social skills. Here are some of the obvious ways of networking throughout your life as a student and professional.

Summer Jobs
Most students intern in their last few years at school and throughout their college lives. Internships allow you to explore different career industries and help familiarize you with the basic workings of different organizations. It is also a great opportunity to build contacts with people interning with you and your supervisors. Remember your supervisors have been through the ropes and can offer valuable advice and help you locate and secure jobs in the future. Your supervisor may be an assistant today but they could be heading their own division tomorrow. Make sure you stay in touch.

Groups and Clubs
Summer internships have regular working hours and hence, are normally possible during vacations. Clubs and groups allow you to socialize and make contacts through out the year, as they are less demanding on your time. Join different groups and clubs and volunteer for events sponsored by companies you can see yourself working for. Try to take responsibility and show an interest, talking to and mingling with corporate executives. Ask for their business cards and contact details.

Social Contacts
Your family, friends and their families and friends are all a part of your social network and can help your career in unexpected ways. Don’t avoid dinners or lunches where grown up, employed people are attending. Use it as an opportunity to discuss career choices, current events and things that interest you.

Schools and Colleges
Your friends and acquaintances through school and college and your professors and counselors are people you want to remain I touch with all your life. Networking has become so much easier with large social network sites and helps you stay in touch with large groups of people effortlessly and effectively. If you’re ever out of a job or looking for new job openings your employed alumni can help provide you with tips and leads and maybe even secure an interview for you. Professors and counselors are often closely associated with companies and can also recommend you for open positions.

Job Expos
Job carnivals are a common occurrence on and off campus and are great avenues to meet professionals from a diverse lot of fields and companies. Go to stalls that interest you, get details, talk to the HR personnel present and get their contact details. Keep them on your email list and send them periodic updates on your life and accomplishments. Someone might recognize your name on a resume and offer you an interview in the years to come.

Closing Remarks
Remember that your frequency of staying in touch will vary from group to group. Your social connections, and school and college buddies are easier to stay in touch with and you tend to communicate more frequently. With your supervisor, professors, counselors and colleagues your communication should be less frequent and more meaningful. The idea is to keep the communication alive and to show that you’re a highly enthusiastic, motivated and active individual. Your high friend count on a social networking site can be an impressive personal quality.

Networking will never work if you think of it as an opportunity to use people to your own advantage. You have to be genuine and sincere and offer help whenever required. And don’t be afraid to ask for help either just because you think someone might mistake your intentions. Your efforts may not always be reciprocated but you need to rise above that and be the bigger person. Just remember that networking is an opportunity not only to help your career but also most importantly, make some really good friends along the way.