Build Your Network, Part I [experiments in effectiveness]
Having a strong network of personal and professional relationships is key to long term career success in just about every line of business. Building a network is not the same as networking. Networking conjures up icky feelings of forced introductions and lame conversations where each party is figuring out what they can squeeze from the other. This image is why most people never attempt to build their network.
You need to build your network based on a genuine need to interact with the people in it for mutual benefit. The goal is to create a network of people that can help you with advice, job hunting, industry knowledge, collaboration and socializing. In turn, you want to help the people in your network in the same ways.
From what I’ve seen in my career, your next job, your next big idea, your next fulfilling interaction will come from a relationship with people in your network. In isolation all you have is job hunting web sites and your own brain to come up with great ideas. If you are that good, congratulations. Stop reading here. If you are like most people and do better with a little help, read on.
In this post I give you an academic perspective on who we tend to spend time with and why. In Part II, I’ll give you some practical tips to get started and how to get over the nervous feelings of reaching out to people you don’t know.
Original post here: Terrence
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