Networking
One of the biggest lessons I have learned in managing my career is the value of informing your network of your desires. All my jobs were obtained through someone else pushing me to an unknown hiring manager that did not know me personally. The hiring manager took the reference of my network who he knew personally.
As networking gains importance in workforce, people need to put significant amount of time and efforts to learn, implement, and manage new connections; therefore, "stealing" from real values.
Agnes,
more & more of the current literature is showing us that this is a primary way for individuals to find new jobs & get hired.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Networking is definitely one of the most effective hiring and job-seeking strategies! I got hired at my current company through networking with a former schoolmate.
Rafael ,
yes, networking really is key to a person's career in today's environment.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have to agree...networking is an invaluable tool in today's workplace! Its not a passive activity but a dynamic process that when taken seriously on an ongoing basis throughout one's career it can lead to great opportunities that weren't available before...On a different note, I really enjoy using LinkedIn as a tool for such networking endeavors!
Steven,
and I would say this is true for many of our students' fields & being the example for them is key.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Being in the culinary industry networking is a must in our field. Knowing as many people as possiable help in connections and in the hiring process.
I have recently come to understand how important networking is. I had been oblivious to this idea before. And it seems to me that most people try to "network" only when we are out of a job or in a crisis mode. Networking needs to be a lifestyle and a continual, on-going process as described in this military man's practice.
Ralph,
yes, I am very big on mentoring & succession planning/management. I consistently tell those who report to me, that I would like them to be grooming/preparing at 2-3 people who could take their positions in the future. The idea being that I am grooming my own people to take my position or other leadership positions in the future.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
One of the tools I've taken from the military into the civilian workforce is to mentor your subordinates. You spend a lot of time and money on employees and both are an investment for success- it only makes sense to expand that success into the business and into the future. By doing this you also get to mold the people in mindset of the business and what is needed for success. You hire people based on how they interview and you see things in them that you like. You get the opportunity now to take their individual assets and make them work and meld in with your business. When you network your subordinates they deal with associates on your behalf and are seen by them as being your representative.
Thomas,
this is an excellent point & definitely highlights the importance of networking.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
