Is Networking A Good Use Of My Time?

by Jennifer Gniadecki on May 29th, 2008

This is one of those “if I had a dollar every time I heard this I’d be rich” questions.

Why do you ask?

If you find yourself wondering if networking is a good use of your time, a more important question to start with is why would you ask?

What other options for getting new business or a new job are you considering? Why is networking on the chopping block?

Usually, when people think about dropping networking from the job-hunt-client-finding roster it’s because they’re looking for a reason not to go out and talk to strangers.

I understand, a room full of strangers is a powerful, scary proposition.

What else were you going to do?

When you start looking deeper into your other methods of potentially finding clients or getting a new job, you’re going to find that networking is at the base of every one of them.

Knowing how to network is going to give you the basic skills you need to make more effective:

Email inquiries
Cover letters
Advertisements
PPC Ads
Resumes

Learning how to network is learning how to make a connection with a stranger - fast. You’ll be able to take that skill to the PTA or the boardroom.

Networking is a life skill, not a technique.

Tags: effective networking, life skills, Networking Tips, time management

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