Most savvy job seekers realize the power of leveraging both online and in-person networks to find a new position. But once you've landed your dream job, your network can transform into an even more valuable tool for helping you get ahead in your career.
Here's what to keep in mind:
1. Maintain--and expand--your core network.
Whatever network you established to help you find employment, keep it thriving. Whether you've joined a community via a career-management site, created a LinkedIn group of like-minded professionals, or joined a local organization, chances are good that many of these contacts will also go on to successful careers in a wide variety of professions. By staying in touch with these contacts and letting them know about your career development, you'll remain top-of-mind for future leads.
But don't stop there. Successful networking is all about growth. According to LinkedIn's statistics, a new member joins its community every second--and it boasts membership by executives at all Fortune 500 companies. So don't be shy about tapping your current connections to make new connections--for example, asking to join the online groups of your in-person contacts.
2. It's not just about networking online.
While online networking is constantly gaining ground, nothing beats a personal connection. According to a recent Forrester Research Media & Marketing Online Survey, more than 83 percent of North American consumers surveyed trusted a personal recommendation on a product or service over any other source of information--be it a review, information on a website, or online consumer opinions. People are hungry for information, leads, and opportunities, but only if they come from a trusted connection. That connection is you.
To make the most of your in-person networking, realize that you have to give before you should expect to receive. In the same way that a thank you for a referral can go a long way toward getting your next referral, proactively assisting your network's members with business opportunities, job leads, or relevant industry information will help strengthen your relationships.
3. Be smart with your networking decisions.
If you choose to expand your business networking online, however, there's reason to be cautious. According to a 2009 Deloitte & Touche study, 74 percent of employees surveyed admitted that it's all too easy to damage a company's reputation via social networking sites. Don't think companies aren't noticing. In the same study, 58 percent of executives agreed that reputational risk and social networking should be a boardroom issue--and 30 percent of them admitted to informally monitoring employees' social networking sites. Still, properly handled, your social networking efforts can help your company succeed. Only 30 percent of the companies surveyed by Deloitte & Touche reported using social networking as part of a business or operational strategy, but fully 55 percent of executives said they don't have an official social networking plan at all. Recruiters at career-management sites say showing demonstrable expertise with social networking is becoming a key asset for job seekers--and they expect that trend to continue.
There's a saying in sales that you're only as good as your network--and in today's highly connected business environment, maintaining and expanding a high-value network is a powerful recipe for success.
Mike O'Brien is an innovative entrepreneur dedicated to helping others create breakthrough success, and is the founder and CEO of Climber.com, one of the nation's leading online career-management sites. For more information about how to find your perfect career, visit www.Climber.com, or connect with Mike on LinkedIn.
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