Getting Started . . . Networking

ok, we've all heard it, but its true . . . networking is important, its a key way to get a job

The hard thing is building a network before you build a career and make contacts.  So how do you do it?  Well, being bold is a big way (http://nbm.typepad.com/y_work/2008/05/here-we-go.html) but another way is talking to your random contacts. 

In the past two weeks, I've been approached by three people for informational interviews.  One found me by surfing our website, looking at the management team (http://www.printingforless.com/P2/about.html) and sending me a letter.  But the other two took less traditional routes.  One is the (currently out-of-state) fiance of one of the therapists at the office where I was having my broken thumb rehabbed . . . an odd path.  The second is the youngest son of one of our key vendors.

While none of these contacts found a job here (yet), they both found a number of additional contacts and increased their network . . .

What have others found successful to get their foot in the door?

Bill Schell is head of Strategy and Development at PrintingForLess.com - America's Print Shop located in beautiful southwest Montana. He spends his non-working time playing the mountains surrounding his home