How to improve Networking??

[In Limbo]

Hi All!

I just read the other post by Shadows Light & she mentioned the importance of Networking..Now since i am just a young College student , how can i improve my 'Networking' skills to land me a decent job in these difficult times??

 

I hope this post helps other young grads as well , who are about to graduate and hunting jobs.

 

Many thanks for your replies and insights..

[thejigsup]

Join organizations associated with your line of work. Get to know a few of your professors on a more business-like, not student/teacher manner. Volunteer at a workplace that is in your field. Look very hard for internships, their worth their weight in gold! Socialize at places you would not normally hang out at as a college student. Go where the people in your field congregate and make friends. These are just a few ideas.

[Shadows Light]

The Jigisup... had many fine ideas. Also volunteer for things outside of

your proffession. You never know when you might run into someone who

sparks an interest in a different direction.

 

Names/Phone numbers/addresses... proffessions.

Take note of who works where. What people do for a living.

Your neighbors, friends, acquaintancs, church members. Send

cards, send post cards, stay in touch with people.

 

One of the mistakes I made was getting totaly "self focused" inwardly.

I got too consumed in my day to day life that I didn't pay enough attention to the outside world. I can hardly hit my friends and neighbor's up for a job right now .. if i haven't stayed in touch. AND....

they don't really know me. They don't know what "I" do. They don't know anything about me to be able to help me do they?

 

Stay in touch with your class mates.

 

Sign yourself up for social circles like ... LINKEDIN on the net. Many of your classmates will scatter to the winds. You never know when you might have to hit them up for a job.

 

There are JOB NETWORKING cirlces in my area, I didn't know existed.

My plan is to keep going to these meetings. The one I am involved shares a huge database of EMPLOYERS in the area. Names/phone numbers/job titles. They also keep a data base of those in the network. And when someone lands a job... that persons name goes on the list. My only payback to them is... if one day someone calls me who is part of the NETWORK... to help the next person along.

 

If you have a job.. then don't get too comfortable. KEEP all your records... names/numbers/job titles.. at home or on a jump drive. Mine was located in the company computer. I lost access to it when I lost my job.

 

Keep your resume fresh. It's a living breathing document.

[Batya33]

All good advice and I wanted to add - be excellent and excellently reliable about following up. I remember very clearly those people I met who asked me for input on their resume, or asked me to do a mock interview and then didn't follow up, or, after I did those things, didn't follow up with a "thank you". Also look for ways to help the people who help you - to return the favor.

[In Limbo]

All wonderful suggestions, i was ignorant of, all this while.Yeah, its really time to jump out of my comfort zone & build new relations.

 

Shadows Light

 

I think since Finance also interests me, i can probably begin preparations for exams like CFA(although it takes over three years to finish it).I am also looking to prepare for MBA ,to have a back up plan ready,in case my job doesn't come through.

[yellow_sweater]

UNPAID INTERNSHIPS.

 

Assuming you can get your foot in the door, see if you can get an internship in your field of study. It might not result in a post-graduation job, and it may be temporary or short term. Still, if you approach the opportunity professionally and do your absolute best, you will gain valuable insight into your industry and generate good contacts.

 

I enjoy working with student interns. The best have moved on with excellent references and more than a few networking leads.

 

Good luck, and congratulations for considering this question early (and not the April before graduation!)

YS

[In Limbo]

UNPAID INTERNSHIPS.

 

Assuming you can get your foot in the door, see if you can get an internship in your field of study. It might not result in a post-graduation job, and it may be temporary or short term. Still, if you approach the opportunity professionally and do your absolute best, you will gain valuable insight into your industry and generate good contacts.

 

I enjoy working with student interns. The best have moved on with excellent references and more than a few networking leads.

 

Good luck, and congratulations for considering this question early (and not the April before graduation!)

YS

 

Thanks for your valuable advice...!