Comments on: Networking

By: Arielle West

Arielle West — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:45:13 +0000

I would think taking professional communication courses would help alleviate any anxiety due to poor performance/awkward networking and help build skills that would be useful. It would give a poor presenter/public speaker a foundation from which to build and gain confidence with.

By: Polly Schultz

Polly Schultz — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:33:25 +0000

I agree that things like LinkedIn and Facebook are good tools, but the real networking we need is done face to face. It doesn’t have to be so “professional”, all the time either. You could network just by going out with your co-workers to a happy hour, or eat lunch with someone you normally don’t. You never know who/what that person will know to help you make the next positive change in your career.

By: M Gordon

M Gordon — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:32:36 +0000

Go to industry events and introduce yourself to people, making sure to give them your business card. Be brief - give them your “elevator pitch”. This is a term used by entrepeneurs - you should be able to introduce yourself and your company to a potential investor in a memorable, concise way before the end of a elevator ride.

By: Valerie Goodwin

Valerie Goodwin — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:02:25 +0000

I guess for those who are not very good “people’s persons”, joining various software user groups, Linkedin are some e-channels that could come to the rescue. This could be a good start, but the higher you climb up the corporate ladder, the more important networking is -not only to get a job but in order to get that visibility within the organization.

By: Lauren Duffy

Lauren Duffy — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:40:33 +0000

Joining Toastmasters was an invaluable tool for my networking. Not only was I able to become a much better public speaker, but it allowed me to greatly expand my network. Everyone’s network in the group became my own expanded network, since everyone was looking to help others within their group.