This is another post in a series of monthly advice posts made in association with the Career Collective, a group of professionals who collaborate to provide guidance for job seekers and careerists. The topic for July is “Networking, tips for overcoming fears, and even making it fun!”
It’s no secret that most job seekers resist networking. I always find this amazing, since continuing to meet new people and build new relationships is such a key part of managing your career – and your life.
In fairness, it seems, networking that is so immediately goal directed as finding a new job can be stressful. And perhaps it always will be. Yet developing your networking skills can bring intrinsic satisfactions – from the immediacy of an interesting conversation with a colleague to the satisfaction that comes from realizing you are connected to a broad community of people who matter.
When I think of networking as part of life and all the intrinsic satisfaction it can bring, I think of Carol Ross. Serving as coach on for her Networking Naturally Program, I know that Carol's philosophy is that networking truly is a way of life and can happen anywhere and any time. So, I asked if she’d do a brief interview for my July Career Collective post. She said yes, so I recorded the following Skype call. While the video call quality is not crisp, I think Carol offers clear ideas on ways to be more successful in networking. Enjoy!
Once again, many thanks to Carol!
