Summarize the following:
There are lots of networking events, like conventions, meetings, mixers, etc. and you should definitely take advantage of those. Don't limit yourself just to specific networking events, however, because many of the deepest and most useful connections form from unusual places. Depending on your area of work, there are lots of organizations dedicated to different job types and these organizations often have annual meetings and other types of conferences or conventions. If you can, check websites and magazines associated with your work; these will often have information about meeting opportunities. Look for people to talk to at the gym, while volunteering, at your coffee shop, on an airplane. One good thing about networking with people outside of work is that you are more likely to develop a personal connection, while still delving into work stuff (as that is one area people often talk about). Make the person you're talking to feel like the most important person you've ever spoken to. Strike up conversation. One thing about networking is that you have to be able to start conversations yourself. A good way to do this is to introduce yourself briefly, and compliment the other person on something. Even better is if you can use that compliment to get them talking. For example: if you're sitting next to someone on a plane, compliment her on the pin she's wearing and ask her the story behind it. People love to tell stories. To effectively network with potentially useful people you'll need to develop an effective networking strategy. This means coming up with a way to get yourself across to people quickly. It also means knowing who you want to meet and a little about them. Find out who will be attending the networking events and make a list of the people you would most like to meet at the event. Try to find out a little about them before the event (not stalking or a creepy amount; just get a little idea about their work and their public interests). Practice your elevator speech, which basically says who you are and what you do (and perhaps what you're hoping to do) in as natural a way as possible. You want it short and easy to remember. "I'm Mary-Ellen Jones and do copy editing for an up-and-coming internet company." Look at every interaction as practice for networking, for getting better at striking up conversations with people. Make sure that you have your business cards with you, but don't start thrusting them into everyone's hands. People will just see you as here to get what you can and not actually interested in the networking part of networking (the part where you talk with people). Like your elevator speech, you want to have a short, specific distillation of who you are. This makes it easier for people to remember you and to describe you to other people, like potential employers. Look again at those three qualities that you feel define your work experience, and make sure that those are the qualities that you highlight. This means specific examples, when it comes up. This is the sort of information that you give out in a natural seeming manner (examples of work difficulties that you overcame, projects you've done at work, etc.). For example: if your three qualities are hardworking, creative thinker, punctual, you would short examples of times when you used these qualities, either on their own on in conjunction with one another. You want these qualities to be what people remember about you and pass along. If you're just thinking of networking as what can this person do for me, you're using it incorrectly. Networking goes both ways, what someone can do for you and what you can do for someone. Offering help to other people, will make them more likely to help you down the road. If you ask more questions and listen more than you talk people will remember you more favorably and will be more likely to recommend you or help you out further on. Ask the people you meet questions about themselves. Who are they? What do they do? What do they enjoy about their work? How did they end up in that job? You don't need to get super personal about your questions, but you should show your interest in what they do. Once you have connected with people you need to maintain that connection. Constantly re-evaluate who you need to keep in your network and who isn't as useful. Avoid burning bridges. You have no idea who might help you out in the future, and badmouthing people or having a public fall-out with someone can label you unfavorably in other people's eyes.
Find places to network. Develop a strategy. Have a specific image. Use networking as a two-way street. Maintain your network.