Networking is a key component to your success. Career experts tell you it’s key to never burn your bridges. When I enrolled in my MBA program, they told me that networking was the number thing to get out of my time in graduate school. Why do people put so much stock into networking? Shouldn’t it be what you know, not who you know? As much as most people would like to believe that to be true, who you know does matter. We live in a social society and having good relationships with people is always beneficial in your career, as well as your life. So why is networking so important, and why should you make an effort to do it? Here are some prime examples of how networking can contribute to your success.
Getting to the top
Knowing the right people can help catapult you into the top of your career path. Sure if you work hard over the years, someone may take notice. But if you have a good relationship with those above you, and are able to foster good relationships with others in high places you’re much more likely to join them. Don’t focus just on those above you either, good networking means being able to foster relationships with all kinds. You never know who’s going to be next to join the big fish.
Getting through tough times
We never know what’s going to happen in our lives or our careers, and my past experiences are a prime example of that. Sometimes we get blind-sided with a layoff or a bad employment situation and we need help. When you have a nice pool of previous employers, co-workers, and friends it makes a world of difference.
Crossing industries
Sometimes in our careers we want to venture out into a new industry all together. Usually this is pretty tough to do since lateral moves in different industries are hard to come by. Usually it involves taking a substantial pay cut, and that’s if you get the opportunity at all. Having a variety of contacts can help you make that jump, and possibly get a much better opportunity in your new industry than you normally would.
Starting your own business
Starting your own business can be a very scary situation. On a day to day basis you never know what you’re going to need and what contacts can help you. The importance of having great relationships with people that have a variety of skills is obvious for the self-employed business owner. The more people you know, the better the chances of you finding what you need to make your business a success.
Networking is key to your success in all aspects of your life. The more people that you know that have a positive opinion of you, the greater your chances of not being held down by social boundaries. Our society puts an emphasis on your title, your status, and many other demographic characteristics that can sometimes prevent us from getting ahead. By putting in the effort to networking with different types of people from all walks of life, you give yourself a way to transcend those things and find greater success in going after your dreams.
March 5th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I truly discovered how important networking is when I moved to this new job position at a new company. If I had not made contacts and ‘friends’ at my former job that work in a similar department I run now I would never have had them to fall back on for information and troublshooting assistance which I needed in the first few weeks. Don’t burn bridges and soliciting advise is not a sign of weakness. So I for one can say network like there is no tomorrow.