Here's Why You Should Be Networking

Networking.  In many ways it's like flossing, exercising, and eating right.  We know we should do it, but we never seem to get around to it.  And if we do, it's sporadic at best.  So why don’t we network effectively?  I surmise a main reason is because we generally don’t experience the full benefits of networking at the time we are doing it.  Many of the benefits may not be realized until far down the road.  However, in today’s instant gratification culture, that’s usually not good enough to warrant our attention. 

So, assuming you need a little motivation to help keep your networking efforts further up your priority list, try thinking with this mindset.  All jobs are temporary.  The days of working for the same company your entire career are long gone.  Median job tenure for 2012 was 4.7 years.  Over the course of a typical career, that equates to over 9 different jobs.  Go in with the mindset that all jobs are temporary and you will realize how important it is to network.  Here’s a few ideas to help you get the most out of your networking efforts.  Some other good points on networking can be found at Amazing Business, Help Guide, Passive Panda, and About.


Build and maintain your network before you need it.  In 2007, how many people do you think anticipated being laid off?  Times were great.  No need to worry about networking.  I’m totally safe.  Then the great recession hit.  Oops.  I could really use that network now.  Begin building and leveraging your network now.  If you wait until you need it, it’s generally too late at that point.

You need to give to get.  Offer to help others whenever you can.  Is there a former colleague looking for more information about your company’s culture?  Offer it up.  Do you have a neighbor looking to get into your field?  Help him out.  When the time comes where you need assistance, the people you have helped in the past will be exponentially more likely to return the favor and help you out.  Plus, you may end up getting a referral even when you are not looking for one.  Networking can not only help make your bad situation good, but it can also make your good situation better. 

Get on LinkedIn.  LinkedIn is a great networking tool.  At a minimum, consider it your electronic rolodex.  Just imagine dusting off an old business card from a former colleague or business contact only to find that they no longer work there.  Now what?  If you are connected on LinkedIn, you still have a tether to that person and have the ability to reach them, even if both of you have made multiple career moves since you last spoke.

Target your networking.  Especially on LinkedIn, open networkers will connect with anyone who reaches out to them.  This reminds me of people on Facebook who rack up as many ‘friends’ as they can.  It may make you feel good having 500+ ‘friends’ or ‘connections,’ but it’s very tough to leverage a network of people you don’t know the first thing about.  Plus, it’s more difficult to keep track of your critical network contacts with so much ‘noise’ in your network.  Quality over quantity.

Press the palm.  While LinkedIn and other social media can be great tools, you still need to get out and meet with people in person.  Sorry social networking wonks, there’s just no substitute.  Much like the give to get concept, all else equal, people will be more likely to help someone they’ve met than someone they haven’t.

So now it’s up to you.  You can take some ownership now and start networking your tail off.  Or the next time you are looking for a job, you can sit by the phone and hope it rings.