Career Networking: Welcome To Humanity

There really is no way around it.  Sorry to break it to you.  But if you decide that career networking is either right or necessary for you right now.

You’ll have to come to grips with the following fact.

The career networking crowd is an interesting bunch.  And so if you do venture out to the great networking halls of the world.  Get ready.

You will meet them all.  Whether that appeals to you or not.  Because, as in life, you will kiss a few frogs on the way to the ball.  The good news is that you will get to the ball.  And you will kiss a prince or princess when you get there.

Whatever your fancy.

And why am I telling you this?  Well, whether you are new to career networking or a veteran, it always helps to be reminded that we are all in this thing together.

As you head out for an evening of “get to know”, you will meet them – good or bad, shy or outgoing, happy or sad, prepared or lost, confident or scared – and each needs something from us.

Yes, you will meet all types.  And you can guess that there are more types that can be properly counted.

So I try to keep it simple with the diagram from above.  At least for today, there are givers and takers. And luckily for each of us, the tide has shifted.  This economy has brought out the best in us.  Even the most callous seem to want to give back.  Or are at least open to it.

So we’re all in this together.  It’s true.  But on a more practical level, there’s another reason you need to hear this.

In order to successfully navigate the career networking world, you will need to introduce yourself to and interact with this incredibly diverse crowd.

Are you ready to do that?  You may want to read How To Start, Maintain and End A Conversation With A Stranger.

Do you want to do that?  Want to know if you have what it takes to be a giver?  Try this test: Take A Productive Day Off During Job Search.

So now I hope you feel prepared.  Prepped to meet some really smart people, some who are still learning.  And, unfortunately, a few who will never get it.

Yes, you have to meet them too.  Sorry.

Tell me about your career networking experiences.  Who have you met out there?  And how have you helped each other?

what	where
job title, keywords or company	city, state or zip jobs by