Networking a Career Vs. Networking a Job

There is a significant difference between having a job and having a career. A job begins with the first minute of the workday and ends with its last minute. A career is a not a matter of hours in a day, but a lifestyle. People who simply have jobs are collecting a paycheck in exchange for their time and energy. Career-driven employees are paid to live out their lives according to their passions.

There are few things in life more rewarding than having a career you love. Not only does work not feel like work, but doing what you love boosts your sense of self-esteem and place in the world. Your career brings you into contact with others who share your interests and passions, and this is how people build their network of contacts. For people who simply have jobs, networking stops once they gain employment. For people who have careers professional networking is part of the lifestyle.

This article explains, “You might think that networking stops once you land a position, but the truth is, it’s important to your success and growth within the company to keep up the process. You’ll want to get to know your colleagues, find out what opportunities are out there, and promote yourself as a team player and leader within your organization.”

For career-driven people, networking and building professional relationships happens organically. This is because when you’re following your passions, you tend to meet people with similar interests, and that shared ground in the perfect foundation on which to build important relationships. Networking begins with deciding whether or not you have a job or a career.

Photo courtesy of 24oranges.nl.