Networking: The Never-Ending Game
It’s no secret the economy still isn’t faring so well. If unemployment rates haven’t slightly increased one month, they’ve probably been holding steady. However, I think a lot of recent grads and Gen Y’ers are still eagerly jumping at the first job offer they get, even if it’s not the right fit for them.
Although I did end up taking the first job I was offered (though it wasn’t a full-time position), I got lucky. I have friends who accepted their first full-time job offer, and they’re miserable today. So what are they doing? Reaching out to former classmates who are loving their jobs, whether as freelancers or in the 9-to-5 corporate world.
But even if you have a great job, you should never stop networking. Research has shown the Gen Y’ers are switching jobs and careers more frequently than past generations. We need more time to settle down. But even if your job changes, the people you know and meet won’t.
Join professional trade organizations that interest you. (Perhaps your employer will even pay the dues!) Actually participate in the discussions on their listservs and attend their annual meetings, workshops and events. Go to free networking events in your city. Go to happy hour with your colleagues. (But don’t drink too much.) Participate in Twitter chats related to your interests and industry. (FYI, that link goes to a Google spreadsheet, and I recommend using tweetchat.com to follow along and participate.) Go to “tweetups” in your area to meet new people — which can be especially beneficial if you’ve moved recently. Every time you have a meaningful conversation with someone new at an event, add them as a connection on LinkedIn. It’s not as forward as adding someone on Facebook, and you never know who that person knows.
What I’m saying is, don’t let the fact that you have a full-time job stop you from making new connections. You never know who knows whom, and when you’ll need to call in a favor a few years down the line — or when someone will ask you for a favor. Networking is the never-ending game we play after — and before — college graduation. The ways in which we communicate may be changing, but making meaningful connections to help our careers will never go out of style.
About the Author
Shannon Otto is a freelance writer and marketing professional based in Atlanta. A forward-thinking communicator, she's fueled by coffee, yoga and the thrill of a deadline. Shannon graduated from the University of Georgia in 2009 with a bachelors degree in journalism and is a passionate believer in the power of networking.
