How to Build Your Network

1. Join professional or trade organizations. No better method exists for finding people who share the same professional interests and goals than joining one or more industry organizations. Get the most out of your membership by attending any meetings and conferences offered.

2. Volunteer. Providing your time and effort to a needy cause is perhaps one of the strongest venues for networking because you are working side-by-side with people who share your passion.

3. Attend networking events. Find events from community calendars online, our Career Services Office or in your local newspaper.

4. Join or ramp up your activities on social and professional networking sites. Position yourself as a knowledge leader by participating in online conversations.

5. Conduct informational interviews. As the name implies, it's an interview you initiate with someone in your profession/industry whose brain you can pick about how s/he got their start, moved up the ladder, and so forth.

6. Contact former co-workers, vendors, customers/clients. Many times as we move from job-to-job, employer-to-employer, we lose touch with former co-workers, customers, and the like. These people all had a relationship with you before and could again – you simply need to reconnect with them.

How To Be A Team Player

Too often people get comfortable at work by falling into a routine. Get to work, complete your share of tasks for the day and head home. Learn how to enhance your work environment by becoming a team player.

Help out – It’s easy to get in the habit of completing your list of duties for the day and considering your work done. Don’t hesitate to take on extra tasks for the week if you know you can handle it. Your extra effort won’t be forgotten the next time you need assistance.

Share – Contribute to your team by sharing your expertise. Show your new coworker the ropes. Compliment others on their work. Give credit where credit is due. Others will feel more comfortable sharing what they know in return.

Engage – Immerse yourself in your workplace. Get out of your comfort zone and start speaking up in meetings. Come prepared and don’t be afraid to pitch in a little extra effort.

Contribute to your office, without participation there is no team!

Take Ownership of Your Career Path

Are you where you want to be? Here are 3 tips for taking control of your career path.


1. Have a destination in mind.

Know what type of work you want to be doing in a few years and where you’d like to be in five more years. Your goals will guide you along your decision making process as you take ownership of your career path.


2. Network with others along the way.
Now that you have a general idea of which direction you would like to go, it is time to meet some fellow travelers that are headed down that same path. It’s not just how much you know, it’s who you know. Go to conferences, industry events, or lectures. Shake hands and come back again. And again. You’ll slowly develop a group of professional contacts that you can start to grow closer with.


3. Provide value to your network.

Proper networking has a key word in it: work. Being a strong member of your own network requires work. It requires reaching out and follow up! The best networkers are those that meet people, learn about them, and let the other person talk. Then the networker helps that person in the network connect to another or simply provides some guidance on an issue. Just like you shouldn’t wait until you are laid off to update your resume, you shouldn’t build your network the moment you need it.

Do a Smarter Job Hunt

Here are some smart ways to cut through company walls to find someone inside who can help you. Don't go in circles - do a smarter job search. Just be sure to start with the basics - know what you're looking for!