Networking—it is to job hunting what kale is to health fanatics. It's the be-all and end-all of the industry, the magic potion you sort of wish everyone would stop talking about.
But like kale, even if networking does seem a bit "overdone," the hype around it is well-earned. I mean, networking has helped me land jobs and has introduced me to one of my most valued mentors (and a good friend).
So yes, while networking won't take the place of a good education (and kale smoothies won't do much if you chase them with vodka), having a solid professional network and a kale salad is better than not having them.
But the question is, where in the world do you get a professional network?
Well, the answer is simple: anywhere and everywhere. Seriously—you can meet valuable contacts anywhere, from a networking event to Thursday happy hour. Because here's the secret: professional contacts are real people who, like you, do real people things. (Mind blowing, right?)
So the best thing you can do to grow your network is simply be open and genuine.
That being said, the reality is that sometimes, you need to actively seek out your professional contacts. (There are a lot of happy hour bars, after all; you might not always be at the same one as your potential mentor.)
So today, I'm sharing three of my favorite places to look for professional connections. (P.S. They're my favorite because they're the ones that have actually worked for me.)
1. LinkedIn
If we're going to start somewhere, let's start with the basics: ol' trusty LinkedIn.
Now, I know what you're thinking: Really? I'm introducing you to LinkedIn? What is this, 2002? I mean, that's pre-Britney head shave—not exactly new info.
And this is true.
But what may be new info is that LinkedIn is more than just a less-fun form of Facebook. For example, you may not know about LinkedIn's "advanced" search option, where you can narrow your search down to things like title, company, school, location, and even relationship (2nd connections, group members, etc.).
Basically, LinkedIn allows you to narrow your search to find exactly the person you're looking for. So instead of going through, say, 57,000 Google employees, you can narrow your search down to find the friend of a friend who went to your Alma mater. Mischief managed, indeed!
2. CareerShift
Speaking of Alma maters, fellow alumni are always solid people to include in your professional network; they're more likely to respect you right off the bat, and if all else fails, you two can at least lament your school's flailing football team together.
This is why I like using CareerShift: like LinkedIn, it allows you to search for contacts using school as a criterion. It's one of my secret weapons for finding alumni in my field.
The downside to CareerShift is they charge you for a membership (about $50/month if you pay monthly, which is no small potatoes). That being said, some universities (like mine) offer free memberships you can access using your school email address. If CareerShift is something you're interested in, it's worth contacting your university to inquire about!
3. Your school's alumni directory
Last but not least, another place you can find solid professional contacts is your school's alumni directory. (I'm sure by now you can tell how valuable I think alumni connections can be!) Although this method may take a bit more work (depending on how your Alma mater's directory is set up), being able to start an email with, "Dear Mr. Longbottom, I found your contact information through Hogwart's alumni network..." can be invaluable.
Of course, this list is just a small handful of places you can find potential professional contacts. And once you find those potential contacts, this is only the beginning of building your network. (This post goes into more detail on networking mistakes you can make when you want to get a job.)
But even if this list is only a small portion of the first small steps to networking, like a Brian Tracy once said, "The act of taking the first step is what separates the winners from the losers." So take a page from ol' Brian's book, and let's hear it for winning.
What is your go-to for networking? Have you used any of the sites on this list before?
