Welcome to the next edition of the Job Seeker's Tool Kit, a series of articles written for Austin's PMI chapter members to help prepare for the inaugural Austin PMI Job Fair, being held in October. These articles are also available online at http://blog.jenn-brown.com for your convenience.

Networking is essential in the professional world.  It’s not about kissing up, it’s about establishing and cultivating your relationships.  The appropriate metaphor here is gardening.  You want to tend your network, cultivate, and have a diverse ‘crop’ to ensure it works for you.

Networking can take place anywhere  the office happy hour watering hole, in line at a theatre, at a music event, or at established networking events.  Practice your small talk and it can help you work on building rapport with colleagues and others who can help you when you decide to seek new opportunities.   Some things to keep in mind: 

Build Before You Need.  You’ve met people who only get in touch when they need you. Don’t be that person.  Build relationships before you need to use them. 

Help Them Help YOU.  If you seek assistance, you need to demonstrate how you can help the ones whose assistance you seek.  Do your homework, make an effort, and don’t overtax your resources.  Mutual benefit should be the focus. 

Give Back.  If someone helps you, you should find a way to help them, or pay it forward.  A reputation as a taker, not a giver will hurt you.

Get Active.  A great way to build your network is get active in professional, social, charitable organizations.  When you do actually need to use your network, a diverse network can pay off in unexpected ways.  This can also help you work on social skills in non-threatening environments, which can help with your interviewing skills with prospective employers. 

Don’t Burn Bridges.  Everyone has bad experiences, and toxic bosses, coworkers, etc. in their past.  However, as much as you ache to tell someone off, don’t.  By taking the high ground, you ensure your reputation stays strong.  If you don’t, that nasty-gram you broadcast as a farewell to your last company may come back to haunt you. 

Have and Use a Business Card.  Keep business cards, both company associated and personal ones, on hand at all times. You never know when you’ll want to share contact information. And they’re much nicer than handwritten info on a cocktail napkin. 

Use LinkedIn.  LinkedIn is a great tool to enhance your professional network. Imagine being able to keep in touch with past colleagues or find common ground with prospects (potential employers or employees, vendors, etc.).   Use your LinkedIn network as part of your professional networking strategy (but not to replace it!).

Keep Cultivating.  After you’ve activated your network, and found that great job or contact, don’t let it die out. Keep in touch with those who’ve helped you, in little or big ways.  Return the favors, and it will pay off for you in the future.