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Your network
incorporates everyone around you, such as your preacher,
doctor, neighbors, friends, colleagues, and/or fellow
committee members. The object is to talk, ask, brainstorm,
and seek the assistance of others that know of an
opportunity or contact that you do not. Have you heard of
Stanley Milgrim’s theory of “Six Degrees of
Separation” (more popularly known by the movie, starring
Kevin Bacon)? His theory states that there are only 6 people
separating you and someone you’d like to meet or get in
touch with, such as a hiring or human resources manager.
Like anything
critical in your life, you must be prepared to network. Hold
a small portfolio to house several prints of your resume
along with other pertinent material. Collect business cards
from everyone you meet and make notation of the place and
date on the card. This information is needed should you
speak with this person again. You’ll make an impression by
referencing your previous conversation, along with the date
and occasion (e.g. name of seminar or conference).
The card will also
be handy when you’re given a job lead. Generally the intro
paragraph of a cover letter will reference something like,
“When I spoke to Sarah McNeil on August 1, 2002, she
mentioned that you are looking for a clerk typist and
suggested that I contact you.” Obtaining a person’s card
will keep you from misspelling the person’s name and
remind you of the person that gave you the lead. Effective
networking will cause your card portfolio to fill up quickly
and make it difficult for you to keep names and companies
straight in your mind. BTW, don’t forget to give your lead
a small gift or handwritten thank-you card if you land the
job. Small gestures, such as a job lead, can oftentimes be
forgotten.
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