Building A Solid Network - Black Enterprise

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Money
  • Leadership
    • Career
    • Education
    • Jobs
    • Men
    • Women
  • Technology
  • Lifestyle
  • Events
    • Black Men Xcel
    • Entrepreneurs Summit
    • TechConneXt
    • Women of Power
    • American Black Film Festival
    • ABFF Honors
  • Lists
  • Magazine
  • Videos
  • TV Shows
    • Our World
    • Women of Power
25 black women who are changing the world

January/February 2018

Black Enterprise
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Money
  • Leadership
    • Career
    • Education
    • Jobs
    • Men
    • Women
  • Technology
  • Lifestyle
  • Events
    • Black Men Xcel
    • Entrepreneurs Summit
    • TechConneXt
    • Women of Power
    • American Black Film Festival
    • ABFF Honors
  • Lists
  • Magazine
  • Videos
  • TV Shows
    • Our World
    • Women of Power

Building A Solid Network

by  Cassandra Hayes
December 1, 2002

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

A search firm may be able to place you in a job, or you might find one through a newspaper’s classified ads, but, according to many career experts, the most productive and powerful source of jobs is networking. Most human resource professionals say that approximately seven out of 10 jobs are gleaned through networking, and the chances of finding a job are probably better with networking than with any other source.

Networking is just that — work. It is labor-intensive. It requires gathering, classifying, working, and reworking long lists of names and addresses, plus hosting lunches and dinners, and making brief visits to your contacts. While it seems easy (“Just make a list and make some calls”), networking isn’t a pushover. Only recently has it acquired a name and been proven to be a great method of attaining a job. The frustration comes because unless you are a natural at schmoozing and are willing to pursue it wholeheartedly, networking is hard work.

It requires conversation and a keen eye for possibilities and opportunity, but it’s not as far-reaching as you think. When a friend suggests an accountant or a dry cleaner, or when you strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you on an airplane — that’s networking. You are finding out information about a possible service you need or an interest you have. It’s the same process that kicks in when someone recommends you to an employer because you have made a good impression on him or her.

Networking translates to building relationships based on trust. When you tell someone something about yourself, he or she assumes that it is the truth and may later put his or her reputation on the line by passing along your name, goals, or accomplishments to someone else who is in a position to help you. Therefore, never misrepresent yourself.

The process of networking has three basic elements:

  1. Creating the network: Amassing a valuable list of names of people who can help you. Remember that this list is not static. It fluctuates with every move, relocation, or life change of you or one of the individuals listed. You must keep this list up-to-date and build on it constantly.
  2. Working the network: Calling your contacts, making appointments, and visiting them with a distinct purpose in mind.
  3. Following-up: Keeping the flow of information going; checking with your network contacts and reminding them of your career and job-search efforts. Networking is not a one-way street. You must be able to give back to the network and provide any knowledge and leads you have, if you expect to have such information come to you.

BUILD YOUR NETWORK
You may think that because you have a pile of business cards, have made initial contacts with some key people at companies you’re interested in working at, and know a friend who has a friend who works at Company X, your networking strategy is on target. But ask yourself: “Why am I still not in the job I want to be in?”
Many people underestimate the power of

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Join the Conversation


MORE ON BlackEnterprise.com
Featured Stories
‘BE The Code’ Podcast: Beauty Entrepreneur on Creating a Brand for Multicultural Women
by  Sequoia Blodgett
Education
Most Black Parents Begin Saving for College Before Their Child Is 10 Years Old
by  Robin White Goode
Featured Stories
The Richest People of All Time From Every State [Infographic]
by  Samara Lynn

TRENDING

  • Baltimore May Sell Homes for $1 to Revive Neglected…
  • Spotify is Looking for New Female Podcasters of Color
  • Meet Melissa Harville-Lebron: The First Black Woman to Own a
  • Free Money? The Top 10 Grants Available to Black, Minority…
  • 7 Top Grants Or Free Money For Black Women Entrepreneurs
  • U.S. Small Business Administration and Milken Institute…
  • 5 Books Every Millennial Entrepreneur Must Read
  • Top WNBA Salaries vs. NBA Salaries: Who Earns More? [2017…
  • Meet the Dallas Mavericks’ New CEO
  • Chance the Rapper Hosts Holiday Party to Help the Homeless
Women of Power WOMEN OF POWER SUMMIT
Entrepreneurs Summit ENTREPRENEURS SUMMIT
American Black File Festival AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
Our World OUR WORLD WITH BLACK ENTERPRISE
Women of Power TV WOMEN OF POWER TV
25 black women who are changing the world
SUBSCRIBE
GIVE A GIFT
CUSTOMER SERVICE
  • © 2018
  • BLACK ENTERPRISE
  • Management
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Site Map
  • Masthead
  • Media Kit