Creating a network from scratch

Here's the thing, you have been networking all along, you just didn't call it that. Take the focus off of job search and you'll feel better about "networking".

The Harvard Business Review (don't I feel cool for reading this), has a great piece on how leaders create networks. "How Leaders Create and Use Networks".

The idea behind this brief is that their are 3 different types of networks:

Personal: people outside of your company who can assist in your
professional develoment
Operations: those you need to complete tasks or accomplish work
Strategic: people (not direct reports) who can help you reach company goals/objectives

I love this idea because it provides a structure and plan for moving forward. Instead of meeting all kinds of people with no purpose or reason, you know why you want to meet someone. This fosters a life-time committment to the notion of networking.

There was post on Keppie Careers about not networking like a bumper car! Great analogy and a good lesson in it.

My friend, Mike Lally posted on the topic of social networking. Mike has been a long time user of LinkedIn and he uses it with a purpose. He knows who he wants to Link in with and WHY!

You can't fight it, learn to develop your extroverted side. Learn to love meeting new people!