The following is a guest post from Caroline Ceniza-Levine of SixFigureStart courtesy of Recruiting Blogswap.

As a career coach and recruiter, I have followed many careers. I have also seen many examples of networking success:

• A PhD in molecular biology makes key venture capital contacts (and eventually lands a VC job) after tracking down a fellow PhD in molecular biology who is now a senior banker;

• An art assistant lands an art director position at a national magazine, after regular contact with her former boss (now editor of this magazine) puts her in the right place at the right time;

• A management consultant transitions into recruiting after a former colleague hires her into her search firm;

• A little league basketball coach gets a job interview at one of his dream firms because it turns out he is coaching the son of a top executive there.

Many people make introductions, get promoted, or jumpstart career transitions because of networking – having the courage to meet new people and having the discipline to maintain familiar contacts. In most examples, however, the payoff is in the future. You can’t expect your first phone call to lead to a job. Often, networking leads to more and more networking, which eventually yields a success story. It takes persistence, commitment, and an upbeat attitude.

But it does work. So, keep in mind, wherever you are, you are surrounded by a potential network. Your classmates, your colleagues, your friends’ friends at that party could be your next employer, funder, client, mentor, or best friend. Keep yourself open to the possibilities of networking success.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

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