Does networking strike terror in your heart? Would you rather get a root canal than enter a room full of strangers and make conversation!? You know I coach midlife women in transitions, we need to be “out there” to re-enter the job market wanting to advance your career/business or to being an entrepreneur. They, especially, need to network.
Did you know that 70- 80% jobs were found through networking? The percentages go up as position gets higher. The higher the salary, the higher the percentages and more networking is necessary.
How about the money spent on arranging/hosting a Networking event? Sometimes, there’s an entrance to attend! But there are plenty that don’t charge..FREE food! although costly, the business professionals know that approximately two or 3 million bucks is done as a direct result!! Too many zeroes to write! But, when you think about networking and realize everything can be networking-building rapport and relationships From the golf course to the neighborhood association and any place you go…the lunchroom, friends/family, church, watching your children play a sport, or one of those networking events-all can become networking (relationship building opportunities.) Don’t worry you’re not shoving a business card at them! With social media reaching 9 Billion…and that’s just Facebook! So joining a few Facebook groups is recommended. Job Search and Networking on LinkedIn are more popular than ever!
Join groups where the topic is of interest and where your expertise in a certain area can shine-don’t be a “professor/know it all”-just share info! That’s a good compass to guide you…provide information to the group, not to show off your brilliance!
I had a professional on Linked In who offered me a particular training. That was targeted marketing and can be very effective. I’m not going, but that company is now on my radar! It was all through networking.
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