Don’t Shy Away from Networking

Networking is a funny thing. People hate it, so they avoid it. But these are the same people that will spend a fortune on education and the same people that will work 60 hours a week to please their bosses and colleagues. Wouldn’t you think someone as motivated as that wouldn’t avoid setting up coffee meetings and informational interviews to further their careers? Sadly, they won’t take that extra step. And they are selling themselves short.

This article explains, “Networking is not only great for your career, but also your job search. It’s been estimated that as many as 80 percent of jobs are filled through some sort of networking, which is why neglecting your network and shying away from new contacts can be detrimental to your success.”

Networking doesn’t have to be painful. It’s all about having the right attitude. The problem many people have with networking is that it doesn’t pay off in the short term. Office professionals become so focused on their immediate needs that they undermine their futures by not investing in human assets. Don’t be one of these people. The truth is that it doesn’t take much to maintain a healthy relationship with your contacts. A quick email or phone call every now and then can go a long way in the long run.

Just as you invest in your 401(K) remember that investing in other human beings is a long-term plan. You never know how your life will turn out and who may be there to put in a good word when opportunity strikes. Your future is all about you, and the people who have your back. And good networkers, sooner or later, will be in a position to help others. What comes around goes around. And that’s the way it should be.

Photo courtesy of CPX Interactive.