Thursday, June 15, 2006

Nurture your Network

What is the best way to search for a new job while working? The easiest way is to nurture your network from the beginning. This not only lets you plan your career ahead, but informs you of any new opportunities that you can immediately grab without any hassles. How can you grow and nurture your network?

We all do it everyday. We communicate with people. We make friends with whomever we get in touch. We often have long-lasting relations with important people. The key to success is to make this process more serious and doing it with a purpose. Firstly, frame your career goals for yourself. Update yourself with all the skills and abilities necessary to reach your goals. Constant up-gradation of skills is very essential. Once you are sure of your career goal and you are geared enough to accept such a responsibility, begin communicating. Communicate your career goal with clarity to everyone you come across. Indeed, to intensify the growth of your network, identify the most important people who can have a strong influence on your career growth. There are many people who have significant contacts and who can really show you the correct route to the right person. These are the indirect agents and learn to stay in regular touch with all such acquaintances. Here is the list of prospective people who can become a part of your network.

Friends and family
You can suddenly be surprised to find your wife's distant family relative to be the recruiter in your field in a very big company. Similarly, your friends and their relatives can also be a great source. Stay in touch with all your friends and family members and be ready to help anyone to seek a return favor in times of necessity. Family acquaintances can always be an advantage. Identify all the influential people in your family circle and all you have to do is just stay in regular touch with the most significant members. Beware of the fact that any perceived insignificant person can become significant overnight.

Business Associates
You work in different companies and come across different colleagues in different companies. These colleagues can help advance you to the right position and guide you in the right direction. Use the advantage of networks of your colleagues to move up the corporate ladder and realize your goals. Outshine within your sphere of work so that your skills are well noticed by all the members of your team. This adds an extra edge and your talents will soon approach in the mind. Similarly, amicable colleagues are wanted by everyone and soon you receive opportunities and people vie to work with you.

Former Professors and Classmates
These form a significant group of people who can come to your help. Remember to be in constant touch with all the former professors who might shift to bigger universities and have contacts with bigger organizations in this process. Learn to capitalize on the advantage of newer acquaintances of all your friends, family, colleagues, and former instructors.

With the advent of internet and numerous networking capabilities available on the internet, utilize every chance to showcase your skills on online groups and message boards and get in touch with all the significant people with great enthusiasm. Networking, one day, will pave you the way to reach your career goals with a great amount of ease.

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