Networking should be a constant endeavor
By Gary Kaplan© Pasadena Star-News, May 8, 2010
Hallelujah! You've finally landed that long sought-after job. What do you do now?
Celebrate with family and friends - check. Buckle down and work like a demon to show your boss he made the right choice - check. Write e-mails and make phone calls to your colleagues, peers, and mentors to let them know the good news - no, that can wait, you've got more important things to do. Big mistake.
All too often people "get religion" regarding networking when in the market place for a new job, but forget all the rules and become complacent once they've landed a new position.
The reality is, people are working harder than ever and the demands on professionals are becoming increasingly more difficult. Our current somewhat mercenary work world, driven by difficult economic times and the desire to continuously improve shareholder value, has resulted in a "do more with less" and "what have you done for me lately" work environment. Times are tough, but you cannot allow your job to consume you.
Networking is not just for the unemployed. In fact, the worst time to build your network is when you're looking for work. Networking helps you learn about new trends, and keeps you up-to-date on work-related topics. It attracts more opportunities, offers new ideas, insights, and wisdom, and gives you another perspective.
It provides the opportunity for more visibility as a person or an organization, and opens doors to people you won't be able to reach on your own.
You know how arduous the job finding process has been and in some cases, how long it has taken - six months, a year, even longer. And pardon my frankness, but how naive do you have to be to think a job is forever?
Maintaining your network during the good times will ensure those who have helped you in the past will be there for you again if the necessity should arise. You must carve out time weekly to dedicate to your own career development.
Schedule breakfast or lunch, meet for coffee, phone a colleague, and take full advantage of one of the many social networking websites such as LinkedIn or Plaxo. It's always important to stay in touch with your most meaningful contacts.
The very least you can do upon landing a new job is send a thank you note or announcement with your change of address and current contact information, expressing a desire to stay to stay connected.
We all know the old friend who you don't hear from forever, until the Lakers make the playoffs, and then your buddy remembers you have season tickets and gives you a call. Don't be perceived as a user. It's also imperative to remember the vendors who were there for you during the most difficult times - most importantly, executive recruiters, career transition specialists, and other human resources consultants, as well as professional friends in your field.
These tend to be the most proactive folks who always took the time to be there for you during your hour of need. Continue to show them how much you value them.
The smart executive will also identify events, specialized groups, and social clubs, and stay involved. Here's a great networking tip - go to networking events alone, as it forces you to meet new people. If you go with friends or colleagues, you will be tempted to hang out with the people you know.
Given the role I've played in the past few years as a grief counselor of sorts to those affected by our current tumultuous job market, I've developed a compelling need, a missionary zeal one could say, to proclaim the virtues of networking and ongoing communication. Your ability to be seen as a giver rather than a taker will serve you extraordinarily well throughout your entire professional and personal life.
Whether it's your first job, or what you hope will be your career of a lifetime, take the time to reach out, and the rewards will come back to you tenfold.
Gary Kaplan is founder and president of Gary Kaplan & Associates, a Pasadena-based executive search firm. Visit www.gkasearch.com.
