WHY IS NETWORKING IMPORTANT?

Please list all of your workplace skills ?

Networking simply involves talking to Networking simply involves talking to people. people.

When people say you should When people say you should “network” to find a job, they mean “network” to find a job, they mean you should talk to people about you should talk to people about possible opportunities that may exist possible opportunities that may exist that they could help you with.that they could help you with.

When you do talk to people, you When you do talk to people, you should be clear about WHAT you’re should be clear about WHAT you’re looking for and be clear about HOW looking for and be clear about HOW you’d like their help.you’d like their help.

• To make new friendsTo make new friends• To find a new jobTo find a new job• To develop your current To develop your current

careercareer• To explore new career To explore new career

optionsoptions• To obtain referralsTo obtain referrals• To obtain sales leadsTo obtain sales leads• To broaden your To broaden your

professional horizonsprofessional horizons

#1: Make a list of all the people to whom you can talk.

• Don’t have to be friendsDon’t have to be friends• Just people you’re Just people you’re

comfortable talking tocomfortable talking to

#2: Make the best use of your network by giving people an easy way to help you.

#1: Make a list of all the people to whom you can talk.

• Do not just say: “I’m looking for a job. Do Do not just say: “I’m looking for a job. Do you know of any jobs?”you know of any jobs?”

• Ask for their tips, leads & suggestions.Ask for their tips, leads & suggestions.• Use leading statements that tell them what Use leading statements that tell them what

you’re looking for and the kind of help you you’re looking for and the kind of help you need.need.

Example: “I’m looking for part time job working with people. Do Example: “I’m looking for part time job working with people. Do you know anyone that is hiring? May I use your name as a you know anyone that is hiring? May I use your name as a reference?”reference?”

#1: Make a list of all the people to whom you can talk.

#2: Make the best use of your network by giving people an easy way to help you.

#3: Know your sources for networking contacts.

• All you need is a All you need is a connection.connection.

• Be specific.Be specific.• You don’t want to annoy You don’t want to annoy

your network contacts or your network contacts or you may lose them.you may lose them.

• Possible sources include Possible sources include personalpersonal, , professionalprofessional, , and and internetinternet contacts. contacts.

Personal ContactsPersonal Contacts::

• friendsfriends

• acquaintancesacquaintances

• neighboursneighbours

• relativesrelatives

• classmatesclassmates

• teachersteachers

• club membersclub members

Professional Professional ContactsContacts::

• employersemployers

• supervisorssupervisors

• co-workersco-workers

• customerscustomers

Internet ContactsInternet Contacts::

• subscribers to subscribers to mailing lists you mailing lists you participate inparticipate in

• personal or personal or professional professional contacts that you contacts that you might talk to might talk to through e-mailthrough e-mail