Creating a Network

No matter what industry you are in, networking can be incredibly helpful. In fact, networking can be an incredibly important part of your career if you do it correctly. Please use the tips below to learn how to appropriately create your network.

- Remember to keep in touch with people that you have met in professional and academic settings. Simply sending an email or making a call every now and then will help you to stay in touch with class mates, old teachers, and previous co-workers. If you are still living in the same city as these friends, meet every now and then for lunch and talk about business and how things are in your industry.

- Never underestimate the importance of working for free. Internships are a great way to meet people in the industry and learn about companies in your industry. Also, if you volunteer to take part in an industry- related event, then you will have the chance to meet a great deal of people in your profession.

- Not only will you meet people in your industry through school and work, but you will also meet people through your current contacts. If a friend from work, for example, throws a holiday party at his or her house, you may meet many of your coworker's contacts at the party.

- Remember that you always have the opportunity to network. People you meet on the bus, on vacation, when you are out to dinner, or when you are at the grocery store could all be possible contacts. If you always have networking in mind, then you will have plenty of networking options.

- Throw a professional event. Once you have a few contacts, throw a dinner party at your home or host an event at a bar that other professionals frequent. Alternatively, see if your company will throw a networking event. If you are in charge of the event, you will be sure to have the contact information of every person on the guest list.

- Keep an organized Rolodex. Never throw away a business card. Your professional contacts are incredibly important. Be sure to keep them together and organized so that you can get in touch with someone the moment that you need to.

- Be sure to follow through. Whenever you make a new contact, be sure to send them an email, a letter, or make a call. Simply let them know that you were pleased to meet them. Note something that you spoke about. Also, if you had a very good conversation with this person, then suggest getting together for lunch.

- Never burn bridges. If you move to a new company, be sure to leave your old company on good terms. Also, stay in touch with previous coworkers and supervisors.

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