by Todd Pheifer

Created on: March 13, 2009

Sometimes it is true what people say. It is not what you know, it is who you know. Granted, you still have to know something, and connections will not guarantee everything. However, personal connections are a key part of success in life, particularly from a vocational standpoint. The reason is that people would rather go with someone familiar than start a search from "scratch". New employees and new clients can be a tricky business because people often look good on paper but do not turn out to be quality employees. Therefore, networking is a key part of life so that individuals can be on the "radar" of others when opportunities arise. Here are a few thoughts on how to network one's way to new opportunities.

Hit the streets

Networking is all about being active. Opportunities do not often fall in people's laps, and networking opportunities won't necessarily come knocking. Therefore, people have to get out and meet people, exchange business cards, and try to make a connection. This is why people go to conferences, get involved with community organizations, and go to events. These aren't always the most exciting activities, but there are people there, so there is always an opportunity to make connections.

Organizational strategies

The key is to keep these contacts organized. Too many people in life do not keep their information straight, so when they need it they find it is buried under a pile of paper. Therefore, contacts should be catalogued and organized, and sometimes it is best to write some notes regarding the nature of the contact and what was discussed. That way, people can reference something from the past and make a deeper connection.

Maintenance plan

In order to make networking effective, people have to follow up and keep in contact with people. Over time, relationships can start to be forgotten. This is simply a side effect of how fast the pace of life can be. Therefore, people need to reconnect with people in person, by phone, or via email. Contacts do not have to be extensive, but they do have to be consistent so that relationships are maintained.

Bold moves

Finally, it is important that people be willing to take chances when it comes to networking. Granted, there is a fine line between being aggressive and being irritating, so people do have to navigate that properly. However, the bottom line is that people who want things have to be willing to go out and get them at times. Sometimes people build up enough of a reputation that opportunities come to them, but other times there is a need for pro-activity. Only then will networking be effective for the person seeking new opportunities.

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