I have to admit, the whole aspect of networking is pretty new to me. I came from a small city where believe it or not, almost everyone knew everyone else. Now that I think of it, we kind of had some sort of networks. They were based on people working in the same area, going to the same social clubs, and hanging around in the same places.
To get a job though, you had to be politically affiliated to one party or the other. Without that, its as if you do not exist, and of course, you cannot dream of getting a decent job. After graudation, I found a job almost instantaneously because my sister worked for a training company, and they happened to be looking for a new instructor. The opportunity for me to come to the States was almost as easy. A friend submitted my resume, I interviewed, mind you not a technical interview, then I was hired. Easy right??
Well, it was till I started at AU. I always thought it's about what you know; work hard, and be good at what you do. I had a Facebook account, and I used it like everybody else, to get in touch with my old friends. Some I have not talked to in 12 years, I found online and was so excited to see how they all turned out and where each one was. At first I used to log in daily, then slowly slowly, I started logging in twice a week or so.
At one class in AU, we were asked about our Linked-In accounts. I looked around, everybody had their hands up, but a few, with me being one of the few. All the speakers we had emphasized the importance of networking. Even some consultants mentioned not being able to find a job if you do not know an insider.
It then struck me. I am not on board. I was not one of a few that really knew everybody else. I looked at my network, and it was mostly of people at my organization that I encounter on a regular basis, and friends who have kids same age as mine. I opened a linked-in account, and started adding people I would meet in a professional environment. Yes I do have a Linked-In account, but how often do I login, or how often do I check or contact a person within my network? I also have a 200+ friends on my Facebook account, but I ask myself the same question. How often do I contact my friends, or even yet, how many of the 200 do I actually contact.
The answer is very rare and very few. Yes, I am aware it is something I should do, but I guess with a busy life of working full time job, going to school and having 2 kids, it is harder than I thought. It'll be interesting to see how my future job search will turn out......Wish me LUCK...
