Networking
Networking And Your Career
Effective networking should play a central part in our career development strategy. However, many of us are too busy concentrating on our job to worry too much about our careers! Building alliances, either operational or strategic, help both in our current role and when we decide to move on or up.
Operational Networks
This is the network you need to get your job done. Cultivating good relationships with the people that can help you accomplish our goals. Most of us can do this, but we often get bogged down with day to day problems and don’t think about improving these relationships. Keep talking to the HR Manager so that you can cherry-pick the best graduate intake for instance. Build relationships with other departments. Remember WIFM – What’s in it for them? Be generous with your time and knowledge first, then others will reciprocate – networking is a two-way process.
Job-Hunting
Job attainment was one of the earliest career outcomes studied by network researchers. Granovetter’s seminal findings on the strength of weak ties support the claim that those of us with many weak ties are at an advantageous position in the job market. Weak ties are characterised by occasional contact. They are valuable because they act as bridges across networks, providing new information, resources, ideas and contacts. So, re-connect with your old suppliers, or colleagues from previous roles, that person you met at a conference, etc. Linked-In is a good place to start, but don’t forget your alumni network, the people at the squash club, the PTA committee – all can be surprisingly helpful. Make sure you have your prepared career statement or “elevator pitch” so you can clearly and memorably articulate what you can do for them (notice the difference).
Strategic Networks
These are the vital networks that we need when we make a career move. Who is going to look good by sponsoring or recommending you for a promotion? These are discretionary personal contacts that allow you to network professionally, get information, ideas and resources and to benchmark yourself against your peers. Build contacts outside your industry also, to get fresh ideas on leadership, technology or best practice. They should help you to see the bigger picture, always important when you want to move up in an organisation. When your peer group is as effective as you or as qualified as you, you need extra information, contacts and resources to stand out.
Invest In Yourself
Herminia Ibarra of Insead is a well-known writer on the value of networking. She says that “when you look at what top companies do as they try to grow their future leaders and as they try to assess the leaders they currently have, they will tell you very explicitly that the ability to manage relationships across boundaries and to sell ideas is a critical competency.” Please contact Zena Everett at zena@second-careers.co.uk to see if coaching can help you gain confidence with networking.
Reference: Granovetter, M. S., (1995) Getting a job: A study of contacts and careers (2nd ed). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
"Zena gave an inspiring talk to our EaGles placement students on social networking and digital job-seeking techniques. Our students are new-media savvy already so loved the way she showed them how they can build their e-profiles to find work. They now understand how to use social networking as a research tool, to find vacancies and to engage with potential employers. This adds to their employability skills - not just for job-seeking, but to continue to build their networks once they have found employment. Zena's enthusiasm is infectious."
"Zena Everett delivered an inspiring seminar at Bandon Voluntary Employment Service, Co Cork, Ireland, in August 2011. We were delighted with her frank and informed address. Her ideas and recommendations were of great value to both the job-seekers and the volunteers who attended on the night. I highly recommend her for individual or group career mentoring."