Networking, how do you do it?

**OB2SP** · 07-21-2009, 02:58 PM

I am a true believer that networking is one of the best ways to land a job. I've held 3 jobs since being out of college, all three of which came from previous relationships. Of course, the obvious is letting everyone know you are looking for a job. My current job was obtained because a friend heard of a company looking for someone and called me with the lead. Telling my friends I am looking for a job and hoping they happen upon a lead is easy.

My question is regarding networking in a target environment, with people I don't know. How does everyone go about this? My initial thoughts are find people who you may have some sort of relationship with that works in your target industry and get in touch with them. Also, what about lectures from people in those industries? My target is commercial real estate. So if I read that such-and-such an organization is having a speaker, wouldn't it be in my best interest to attend? Hopefully, I can make some contacts there. If nothing else, I learn something by sitting through the speech.

**toxigal** · 07-24-2009, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by OB2SP

I am a true believer that networking is one of the best ways to land a job. I've held 3 jobs since being out of college, all three of which came from previous relationships. Of course, the obvious is letting everyone know you are looking for a job. My current job was obtained because a friend heard of a company looking for someone and called me with the lead. Telling my friends I am looking for a job and hoping they happen upon a lead is easy.

My question is regarding networking in a target environment, with people I don't know. How does everyone go about this? My initial thoughts are find people who you may have some sort of relationship with that works in your target industry and get in touch with them. Also, what about lectures from people in those industries? My target is commercial real estate. So if I read that such-and-such an organization is having a speaker, wouldn't it be in my best interest to attend? Hopefully, I can make some contacts there. If nothing else, I learn something by sitting through the speech.

professional meetings. i'm pretty sure i landed my current job because i attended the Society of Forensic Toxicologist meeting every year I was in graduate school and each time i introduced myself to the VP of the company i now work for and said "Hello, my name is Toxigal and when i finish school i want to work for you".

**OB2SP** · 07-24-2009, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by toxigal

professional meetings. i'm pretty sure i landed my current job because i attended the Society of Forensic Toxicologist meeting every year I was in graduate school and each time i introduced myself to the VP of the company i now work for and said "Hello, my name is Toxigal and when i finish school i want to work for you".

You're a forensic toxicologist? I bet it's EXACTLY like CSI!!!

Kidding aside, thanks for your input. I've met potential empliyers at the most random of places. I was once at the food court in teh Bellvue, overheard a conversation, and ended up getting a potential employer's business card. It didn't pan out, but the opportunity was there.

Now, I have to get out and find some real estate conferences and/or professional meetings, as you put it.

PS - did you really introduce yourself as toxigal? Kidding

**Towelie** · 07-24-2009, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by toxigal

"Hello, my name is Toxigal and when i finish school i want to work for you".

Really!!! I always introduce myself as Towelie too!!!!

**arlee** · 07-24-2009, 02:22 PM

Well duh - of course you do. You're a towel!!

**Towelie** · 07-24-2009, 02:22 PM

Your a towel!!

**wollstonecraft** · 07-27-2009, 11:51 AM

I've done networking feverishly among people I know (I'm a copyeditor by trade), and found it frustrating because when I do network, people will say something like, "I don't know of anything, but if I do hear of anything, I'll keep you in mind." This is usually code for, "I'm not going to give this another thought after you walk away from me."

I've got a request for the employed out there: when people you know are seeking work, could you be more proactive and supportive? You could easily end up where we are, and if you did, you'd want that support.

**Salad Days** · 07-27-2009, 11:54 AM

Have you gone through alumni networks? My wife is a lawyer and got both of her jobs through alumni networks, and I have been contacted at least a half dozen times by people from my college or grad school about internships or job leads.

**shannondu11** · 08-20-2009, 04:17 PM

Speaking of networking... anyone know anywhere that is offering part time work for a college student in the final year of pursuing her accounting degree?

**BeckyJ** · 08-20-2009, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by OB2SP

I am a true believer that networking is one of the best ways to land a job. I've held 3 jobs since being out of college, all three of which came from previous relationships. Of course, the obvious is letting everyone know you are looking for a job. My current job was obtained because a friend heard of a company looking for someone and called me with the lead. Telling my friends I am looking for a job and hoping they happen upon a lead is easy.

My question is regarding networking in a target environment, with people I don't know. How does everyone go about this? My initial thoughts are find people who you may have some sort of relationship with that works in your target industry and get in touch with them. Also, what about lectures from people in those industries? My target is commercial real estate. So if I read that such-and-such an organization is having a speaker, wouldn't it be in my best interest to attend? Hopefully, I can make some contacts there. If nothing else, I learn something by sitting through the speech.

Professional meetings like Toxigal said and yes, attend the lectures. You can possibly meet the lecturer, and you never know who you might sit next to. Also, those things usually have some kind of reception before or after - another good place to meet people.

**arlee** · 08-20-2009, 10:22 PM

Personally, I find that I have the most networking success when I approach a potential colleague and announce, "I can stick my whole fist in my mouth."

**OB2SP** · 08-20-2009, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by arlee

Personally, I find that I have the most networking success when I approach a potential colleague and announce, "I can stick my whole fist in my mouth."

You got my attention

**PhillyCuse** · 08-26-2009, 10:44 PM

No clue. Every job I've gotten has been thru Careerbuilder. True story.

**phillyaggie** · 08-26-2009, 11:01 PM

In Texas, it seems alumni networking works wonders if you're a Texas Aggie. I don't know how Longhorns treat each other because I don't seem to run into very many Longhorn engineers, but Aggie engineers and Ags with other degrees seem to get hired by fellow Ags, given proper credentials.

I attended several meetings of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and was even an office bearer at my local college chapter and took great interest in it. We were able to tour several major facilities such as BP's gigantic Texas City refinery (second biggest in North America), as well as a Lay's Potato Chips plant. But jobs mostly got handed to folks with insider connections, as in nepotism, all else being equal.

So, I'd say plug into the alumni network. Attend local alumni club's events. But also keep the professional society in mind, you never know. Those are two good options to pursue.

**MarketStEl** · 08-26-2009, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by PhillyCuse

No clue. Every job I've gotten has been thru Careerbuilder. True story.

You're in sales, right?

**KeepingItReal** · 08-26-2009, 11:10 PM

I've obtained previous jobs via both ads and networking.

One hint about networking is to always chat up the people you might consider a bit more lowly in the hierarchy of a particular firm or industry, basically, the secretaries and Administrative Assistants. They usually are in the know about everything that is going on in their workplaces and might well remember you when an opening arises, recommending you to the hiring personnel. (It doesn't hurt that many firms offer "headhunting" bonuses to their employees, either

)

**PhillyCuse** · 08-28-2009, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

You're in sales, right?

Nope doubt I could sell water in a desert.

**anahata32** · 10-13-2009, 03:29 PM

I tend to feel more "at home" networking when it comes from an authentic place -- a place of being genuinely interested and truly wanting to connect, versus the more grasping place of "I really, really need a job." Granted, I'm in business for myself, so it's a little bit different. In trying to find clients/sources of referrals etc., I try to put myself in settings where I will naturally meet like-minded folks (fellow healers, holistic practitioners etc.) so that some kind of natural resonance might happen. From there, conversations about how we might work together or help each other feel more organic.

**mbucher** · 10-14-2009, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by OB2SP

I am a true believer that networking is one of the best ways to land a job. I've held 3 jobs since being out of college, all three of which came from previous relationships. Of course, the obvious is letting everyone know you are looking for a job. My current job was obtained because a friend heard of a company looking for someone and called me with the lead. Telling my friends I am looking for a job and hoping they happen upon a lead is easy.

My question is regarding networking in a target environment, with people I don't know. How does everyone go about this? My initial thoughts are find people who you may have some sort of relationship with that works in your target industry and get in touch with them. Also, what about lectures from people in those industries? My target is commercial real estate. So if I read that such-and-such an organization is having a speaker, wouldn't it be in my best interest to attend? Hopefully, I can make some contacts there. If nothing else, I learn something by sitting through the speech.

LinkedIN, LinkedIN. LinkedIN. Can't say it enough. It's the next best thing to meeting people at a networking event. You can join specific User Groups catering to your expertise and even post your resume in your profile for potential hiring managers to see. It's part of my daily business development routine and I am thankful to have such a valuable tool at my disposal.

**OB2SP** · 10-15-2009, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by mbucher

LinkedIN, LinkedIN. LinkedIN. Can't say it enough. It's the next best thing to meeting people at a networking event. You can join specific User Groups catering to your expertise and even post your resume in your profile for potential hiring managers to see. It's part of my daily business development routine and I am thankful to have such a valuable tool at my disposal.

I've been on LinkedIN for about a year and a half. Maybe I'm not using it to it's fullest extent, but I don't see the benefits. I got connection requests from people I've worked with in the past and that's it. Rarely is there communication. I have applied to a job or two through there, and I actually did connect with an old coworker, but it's not as widely used as Facebook, in the sense that, on FB, if I post something, most of my netwrok is going to see it.