Experts have been keen to emphasize the benefits of networking to one’s career development. By networking, we can get information about employment opportunities, specifically those that we would not access otherwise. But job searching must not be the primary focal point of your networking interests. As regards other aspects of your career, your network may prove to be very useful. Contacts can give you career advice and provide valuable information. Following the understated rules, you can maximize the reward of networking.

Everyone you know is a Potential Member of Your Network

In terms of networking, every single person you are acquainted with is a potentially useful contact. Your fields may not directly interlink, through their own networks you may find someone whose field does.

Be Willing to Ask for Help

You cannot receive any help unless you ask for it. Avoid shying away, and in case you need advice, get in touch a relevant experienced contact in your network.

Be Willing to Give Help

Networks are two way in terms of benefit accrual. As well as receiving help, you should be ready to assist when called for. If a network contact requests you to give counsel to a relation of theirs about your career, there can be no hesitation. Even when you come across information and feel it could benefit a person outside your field; take the time to send it to them.

Don’t Use Your Network Only for Job Hunting

Networks are not for job hunting. This misconception leads many to attempt to use it exclusively when searching for work. Of course if you only keep in touch with your contacts when in need of work, the network ends up dying away. Furthermore – considering your inactivity when employed, your contacts may come to think of you as “the guy always in need of our help.”

Keep in Touch With Your Network Contacts

Check to see how your contacts are doing every now and again. Interest yourself genuinely in what they’re doing and keep them up to speed on what is going on within your life, and as pertains your career. Tracking down a contact after a few months of little communication will be much easier than chatting them up after having lost touch for a year or more.

Thank Your Contacts for Their Help

In case a network contact provides you any information, gives you advice or leads you to a job opportunity, remember to send them a simple thank you note. Emails can be used for this purpose.