Networking is a powerful strategy to aid in the advancement of your career. It involves making contact to obtain careers information and work opportunities that may eventually lead to a job.

• Gaining greater visibility in the marketplace
• Making yourself known to potential employers
• Increasing your contact base
• Increasing your market knowledge

With today’s changing workforce, employers value flexibility. They tend to offer shorter term employments rather than a career for life. Therefore, you need to learn how to manage your own careers, take responsibility for your development and build your own networks to secure the future.

Who Forms your network?
Everyone in your life is a part of your network, so it is probably bigger than you think. They can be:

• Family Members. Since family members are often willing to help, they are useful in getting your foot through the door at various organisations. You can tap into their knowledge and their networks more easily.
• Friends and Neighbours. Sometimes your friends and neighbours have skills and connections that you might not be aware of. You should ask to be introduced to their networks and attend various social functions to develop your network.
• Professionals in your Field. They can be people you have worked with or professionals you have met on other occasions. These people can provide you with career related information. They can also refer you to their colleagues or even provide you with job opportunities.
• Co-students, Lecturers, Tutors and Alumni. These people are likely to be valuable sources of information and contacts in your occupational field. As they have worked closely with you in the past, they can provide feedback on your strengths and weaknesses, where your best fit might be as well as provide advice on your job search strategy.
• Co-workers. You are likely to have spent more waking hours with these people than you do with your family or friends. How well do you really know them? Find out more. You may be able to help each other.
• Clients. You serve them and you have built up a relationship of trust. Your clients might also be able to serve in other ways, such as suppliers, supporters and referrals.
• Clubs or Association Members. If you are involved with any community or professional associations or activities, you have a ready-made network. Most people join these groups to meet others. The door is already open.
• Members of a Volunteer Group. One of the most prevalent reasons people volunteer is to meet others and to feel a part of something. Get to know your fellow volunteers better.
• Acquaintances. You meet dozens of people in work and social settings. Don't waste these opportunities. Ask each person you meet to tell you more about themselves. Friendships often begin this way. Good networks always do.

How should I begin networking
Networking is not about asking people for jobs. It is about reaching out and learning from others and getting others to help you in your job search. The steps in networking include:

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