WOMEN in BUSINESS - April/May 2009 - (Page 30) WO r K pL AC E CastNet your Networking Best Practices and Beyond writ ten by MiCHELE COMpTOn networking has been around for years. it seems that it has slowly become something you “do” to advance your career or job prospects. it’s an activity to be performed or an item on your checklist for the day. For some, the stream of business lunches, happy hours, and associate dinners stopped being networking and just became work. while these successful networkers were working their magic, many failed to notice that networking as we know it has taken giant leaps. on the heels of the internet, networking went crazy. Fortunately, even with a world wide web of options, the key to networking still relies on some of the same old rules. Show your Face by far, one of the most effective networking techniques is faceto-face. Chamber of Commerce mixers, after-work hors d’oeuvres and AbwA functions—meeting people is still the quickest way to build a solid, valuable network. “Face-to-face networking is still one of the best ways to get a job today,” says Pam Higdon, president of express Personnel services and member of AbwA’s Company Connection. Following the golden rules or best practices for networking is the most effective method for making key contacts in a short time. Networking online is not just for teens anymore. Business professionals are taking over the online networking realm. You could find your next job, career, or business opportunity online. 30 w o m e n i n b us i n e s s A p r / M Ay 2 0 0 9 Mix, Mingle, and Make your Mark networking won’t work without interaction. Don’t sit with your usual group of friends. make an effort to meet at least two new people at every event. Ask and you Shall receive Collecting business cards is not enough. Ask questions. start conversations. Find out why that person is a good person to know. if necessary, make notes on the back of her business card. For example, if she’s a recruiter that specializes in administrative assistants, note that information.
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