Technology doesn’t change networking fundamentals

Reprinted courtesy of TheCareerNews.com
NORWALK, CT — Despite the latest innovations, the fundamentals of building an effective network remain unchanged. To help executives improve the quality of their networks, ExecuNet offers the following advice:

Offer Help Before Asking For It – The underlying philosophy of effective networking is to give before you take. By approaching networking from the perspective of meeting the needs of others, you will not only earn greater appreciation and respect, but your actions will often be quickly reciprocated.
Avoid “Needworking”– A contact list of hundreds or even thousands of people is useless if you only reach out to them when you are in need. To avoid this “needworking,” start by contacting one person from your existing contact list each day. Find out what they have been doing (or do a little research of your own for a great conversation starter), what is going on in their life, and if there is anything you can do for them. You will be surprised how helpful this can be when you actually do need something.
Don’t Be Shy – The best networking technique is to simply make it a way of life. Whether you are standing in line at the bank, sitting in a waiting room, or playing golf, don’t be afraid to start up a conversation with a stranger. Start off with a general conversation and see where it leads.
Article abridged from Execunet.com, and reprinted from TheCareerNews.com. Get the latest breaking News, Tips and Tools for your job search, Free!