Young Go Getter: There’s not a career choice out there that doesn’t allow you to advance by pitching your most marketable asset, which just happens to be… yourself. You’ll never end up in a situation where you can say to somebody “I can’t do that, because I don’t have the resources or tools that I need” without looking like a total fool to anybody who is worth their salt. You have yourself. The rest is just stuff and comes just as easily as you being, if you know how to get what you want in life. And let’s face it, if you can’t market yourself as a valuable asset, you’re not worth the time to anybody worth selling yourself to anyhow.

Think of your professional network as a trading floor to use when you really need things done, or really need work to do.

“Okay. So, how do I get my own awesome network of people who will actually do what I need, when I need it?”

If you don’t have money to pay people what they’re worth, this can be a hard question to ask yourself, for fear of the answer most people give themselves their first time dealing with the situation. The good news is you’re already half way there. The fact that you’re acknowledging that it can be done at all, means that you’ve got what it takes to make it happen.

What’s the next step? Well, if you have the fortune and opportunity to build your network before you need it, feel free to take your time. Consider this part of the process similar to the interview phase of hiring for a job. A good network is built on good people. Take a look back and think about the finer qualities of people that you’ve enjoyed working with in the past, including work ethic, loyalty, quality of work, etc. Look for those qualities in others. These are the people to approach.

When you find these people, hand out business cards, make your intentions known, and put your best foot forward. The one rule: Don’t ever give false impressions of who you are or why you’re trying to network with them.

After you’ve found these people, don’t let them go. Be good to them, and they will be good to you, unless you’ve done a poor job picking people to network with. If they need a hand with something, give them a hand. When it comes time for them to return the favor, they’ll bend over backwards to make sure you get the help you need. After all, at this point you’re just as valuable to them as they are to you.

Never take advantage of your network. Some of them just want the connection for tough times and some of them are just being courteous. Feel them out, and then label your network’s members. After you label them, make sure they know your label. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? How much time do you have to contribute to others’ requests? One of the biggest reasons to have a professional network, more so than utilizing its members for your own means, is to offer yourself as an expert and find work in your field. How will they know to give you work if you don’t tell them you’re interested? How will they know you’re an expert if you don’t show them?

The tools of the trade.

Although your most valuable networking tool is your own willingness to meet and greet, there are tools built for the purpose of making it easier. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Professional Networking Websites such as LinkedIn, YouNoodle, or Monster. Few people really use these websites to their full potential. They’re there for a reason. Sign up, and make use of them.

2. Business Cards. Never underestimate the power of a handshake and a business card. Anytime you meet somebody new worth networking with, they should have your business card in their hand before you walk away.

3. V-Cards. These are little electronic versions of your business card. Treat them as such. Make one (create one in Mozilla Thunderbird, Microsoft Outlook, or one of several other software programs) and pass it around like nobody’s business.

4. Your Resume or CV. These aren’t just for getting a job anymore. People really are interested in where you come from, what you do, and how good you are at it. This is a copy of your resume (or CV) that you can feel comfortable getting a bit more personal with.

5. A Handshake. Practice your handshake! Practice makes perfect, and the perfect handshake can say wonders about your personality. Dig in there tight, look the other gentleman/gentlewoman in the eye with a smile, and don’t let go until they return the favor.

Get out there and make it happen.

Networking As a Necessary Business Process, And the Top 5 Tools of the Trade [Young Go Getter]

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