An Approach to Networking - Get Seen, and Then Hired!

When networking the key word is visibility. Whether you are aiming to start your own company, move up in your current company, or to change jobs, you need to market yourself in a way that will make you more widely known in your field. Here are the top tips for maximum exposure.

Introduce Yourself Everywhere! Get to know other people in your company. Introduce yourself to other workers, and most importantly, other managers. Make an impression by telling other department heads who you are and what exactly you do for the company.

Mingle During Company Social Event. Treat the company Christmas party as your own networking opportunity. Get to know interesting information about department heads and let them know interesting things about yourself. You can later use the tidbits of information to your advantage in the next tip.

Use Elevator Talk. An elevator is a good 15-20 second opportunity to network. Have your plan already drawn out so that in the chance you get this opportunity with one of the top bosses, you will have your speech ready. Do be afraid to talk about yourself or boast about your accomplishments.

Volunteer. As an event planner for many charity events, I can tell you that many powerful and successful people attend these events. Charity events are just gateways to business connections. Check your local newspapers for upcoming political or other charity events that are coming to your city. Want to stay in-house? Volunteer for company events. Offering to help serve at a company picnic is a way to exchange small talk with bosses and department heads.

Book Speaking Engagements. Speaking to other organizations about your areas of your field is a way to garnish credibility and respect for yourself. If your talk is interesting and informative, that is a huge chance that people will remember you, and thus, increases your contacts list. Plus, it is a nice add-on to your resume.

Serve at a Professional Association. Your local area of Chamber of Commerce is the first place to start. Join a board or committee, something that will get your name listed in their publications. Also, attend regular meetings and events sponsored by the organization to network with other companies. If there are committee opportunities at your own company, go for it. This will put your in the position to meet other people from all over the company. It also shows top management that you are involved and care about what goes on in the company.

Mentor a Student Group. Help the upcoming generations, plus yourself, by getting involved with student organizations. Check with your local universities and community colleges. One day those students will be management in some company; some of them go to top positions straight out of college. Those contacts you will build may come in handy one day.

Write Articles. Another way to gain credibility and gain respect as an expert in your field is to write articles for professional publications. Find out submission guidelines for top publications in your field. Write about something you are familiar with or passionate about and submit it.

Get Quoted in News Media. Get acquainted with reporters. When they are doing an article that pertains to your certain field, they will most likely come back to you for a quote. This goes a long way towards credibility and exposure.

These are just some tips to get you noticed and recognized by your peers, management, and recruiters from other companies. People tend to go with what they know or what they've heard of before. Networking is a sure way to get your name on people's lips and in their head for remembering when the time comes when they can use you and what you will bring to their company or departments.