What is Networking?

Source: Daniel Colegate, Postgraduate Toolbox, Added By:

A brief Google search will reveal that many people consider networking to be the single most effective strategy used in advancing your career. Therefore, learning the skills for effective networking is definitely worth the time and energy. All postgraduates can benefit by learning effective networking techniques and practices that will allow them to maintain professional contacts that can be used as sources and references for future jobs.

But what is networking in the first place? Put simply, networking is just a synonym for developing and maintaining contacts and personal connections with a variety of people who might be helpful to you. That is all, nothing to be scared of or repulsed by. I know that when I first thought of networking I imagined a room full of self-important people mingling with malicious intent and hidden motivations, shaking hands with false smiles. That is why I avoided it. However, over time I have come to see that networking for business or career development is really no different to personal networking and needn't be done with ulterior motives.

'Networking' as a whole encompasses the entire process of acquiring, maintaining and developing a list of contacts and includes identifying opportunities to meet useful people. It also includes the skills you need to 'work the room' when attending a networking event. For advice on how to handle events like this see the other articles in this advice centre.

Tags: Networking

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