Building a Solid Network

A client who has a fine arts degree wanted to move out of his successful career in advertising and into the real estate development business. He had already enrolled in a top notch MBA program to learn more about the field. In addition he had found work with a bank doing real estate appraisals.

With another year to go in the MBA program he came to me to work on creating a plan for becoming a real estate developer.

It is not unusual for someone to study one thing in college, try it for a while and then decide that there is another field that is more appealing. This dramatic change however brought up all kinds of fears for my client.

His first concern was that potential employers would look at his resume and see nothing on it that would indicate he had the skills necessary for his new career. He wasn't sure that he really knew exactly what a career in real estate development entailed or even if it was the right choice for him. Finally he was worried because all his connections were in advertising.

Those questions could easily be answered by someone already in the field. Where could he find some names and an entre? One place that many of my clients overlook when they are looking to make new connections is their college alumnae office. Most alums truly want to be helpful to students and fellow alumnae. My client could easily make use of the alumni office at his current business school. The best way to make a new connection is to have a common interest (your college) or a mutual friend that connects you.

My client was still a bit reticent. "Do you think they will really talk to me?" he asked. I asked him to think back in his advertising career to a time when someone he didn't know well called him out of the blue to ask for something. How did he feel about it? Did he help?

Often the person being called is flattered by the attention and is eager to help. Ten years ago a young man who had been a student of mine 25 years prior to that called me to reconnect. He actually called to tell me what an impact my teaching had made on his life. I was flattered and delighted to hear from him.

The young man who called me wasn't looking for help at that moment. Keeping in touch with your network even when you don't have questions to ask makes it easier to reconnect when you need help or information. Those people who willingly help others will find many helping hands when they need help themselves. Be sure to be that helping person yourself! J

Professors and teachers from your school days can be powerful sources of information too if you stay in touch with them. If you are currently in school, nurture those relationships. If you are out of school it is never too late to rekindle them. (My former student waited 25 years!!)

Building a solid network of people is important and can be fun. Get started early on it and be systematic about keeping track of the people, information about them, and the frequency with which you contact them. Be prepared however to help those in your network too. To build a thriving network the communications and support has to go both ways!

Take Action:

1. Make a list of people you know and who you want to remain in touch with. Select someone you haven't spoken to in a while and make the connection.

2. Call your college or graduate school alumni office for names and telephone numbers of people in a field you are exploring. Call one of the names on the list.

3. Find a way to track your contacts. A spread sheet or contact management software are two ways to manage this information.

4.To keep track of your contacts personal information take a look at the 66 questions that Harvey MacKay suggests in Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive.

About Alvah Parker

Alvah Parker is a Business and Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. To subscribe send an email to join-roadtosuccess@go.netatlantic.com.

Parker's Value Program© enables clients to find a way to work that is more fulfilling and profitable. She is both a Practice Advisor and Coach to attorneys, business managers, business owners, sole practioners, and people in transition. Alvah is found on the web at http://www.asparker.com. She may also be reached at 781-598-0388.

---

What Students and Parents MUST Know about Student Loans

A student loan helps you get through college. Then you... Read More

Troubleshooting Your Job Search

OK. You've posted your resume online. You've sent out a... Read More

Job Search Secret #1

The job search secret that is so powerful it will... Read More

Job Hunting Tips: Taking Care of Yourself

Looking for work is generally a miserable undertaking. No matter... Read More

Waiting For the Official Job Offer

At the end of the third job interview, Helene was... Read More

Intuition: The Secret To Your Career Success

For far too long, we moderns have relied on our... Read More

Seven Steps to Making a Successful Career Change

My first job was secretary to Moses. Having to transcribe... Read More

Who Do I Have To Kill To Get A Job?

I have had more than my amount of trouble in... Read More

So Youre Thinking of Changing Careers

"You don't have to take life the way it comes... Read More

Networking Masterclass - Part 1 - Practicing Empathy

Practicing Empathy A vital part of your networking skills is... Read More

Telecommuting Website (Part Two)

Last article I discussed why a telecommuter would benefit from... Read More

My Career is in the Doldrums - Do I Need a Coach or a Therapist?

Is Monday the worst day of your week? Can you... Read More

Are Your Intentions Clear in Your Job Search?

1. Do you REALLY know what you want?2. Do you... Read More

How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?

Do you think that there is a big sign that... Read More

How to Evaluate Job Offers and Zoom In On the Right Opportunity for You

You've been successful in your job hunt and have received... Read More

Personal Contacts: The Key to Successful Networking

When the word "networking" is used, we tend to think... Read More

Learn How to Throw a Boomerang

Actually, "the boomerang effect" is a relatively new trend of... Read More

Planning To Work Abroad

Working abroad can be an exciting, rewarding and horizon broadening... Read More

Working as a Knowledge Worker in the Information Age

The old adages: "It's not what you know, but who... Read More

References: Choose Wisely

Sophisticated job seekers know and understand that sometime during the... Read More

10 Tips to Help You Ace the Interview and Get the Job

The interview is the "beauty contest" part of the job... Read More

The Perfect Resume

The perfect resume presents hiring managers with a... Read More

Telephone Job Interview Preparation Tips

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW BACKGROUNDTelephone interviews are quite common in today's job... Read More

Can You Compete?

Are you looking to hire the best talent? Are you... Read More

Nonverbal Interview Behavior

Non-verbal interview behavior can drown out your verbal self-presentation.Practice interviewing... Read More

What is a Career Anyway?

A career is the sum total of all of your... Read More

Seven Deadly Types of Job Recruiters

Collect them all!Over the course of six months in my... Read More

So, Your Made A Mistake

Of course, mistakes are important. Two facts put those you... Read More

The Executive Resume - Moving Beyond Accomplishments

There is a major difference between conventional resumes and executive... Read More

How to Overcome Being Overqualified

Have you ever gone through the interview process, felt confident... Read More

You Should Interview the Interviewer, Too

I know what you are thinking. You're thinking, "Wait a... Read More

What Do Employees Wish for Most (And How To Get It)

What do many employees wish for at work? A bonus... Read More

Career Transitions: Creating Complementary Careers in a Day

Down-sized? Outsourced? Burned-out? Wizened up? That's what I said. Wizened... Read More