The second step in to finding a rewarding career after school is networking. While this sounds difficult (especially for those of you who are shy), it is really very simple. Networking is the act of meeting people and maintaining relationships with them. Some relationships will turn into friendships, while others will be strictly professional. Either way, over time, you will meet hundreds and hundreds of people, each one of whom could be part of your network.

People think that there are many different reasons why you might want to build a network of friends, associates, and professionals. But when it comes to finding a job, there is only one reason: to obtain their help.

So who will be in your network? Well for starters, anyone who you have met at school (and who aren’t just passing acquaintances) are part of your network. Any professionals or professors with whom you have developed relationships with are part of your network. In effect, everyone you meet that you stay in contact with is part of your network.

So what does this mean to you? It means that you have a group of people who can potentially help you in your job search. They may not be able to hand you a job, but often they can provide advice, encouragement, or support. This can include everything from letting you know about an open position that they are aware of, to providing a reference for you. For instance, I have had my resumes reviewed by a family friend who is a CEO at a large publishing company. While I don’t work in the publishing industry, having someone like that provide advice can be invaluable.

But even though you have a network full of people who may be able to help you, this is still only the second step in the process. The next post will be an overview of step three, how to find open jobs.

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Related posts:

1. The Layers of Social Networking
2. Why network?
3. The First Rule Of Networking
4. What is an interview?
5. The Dollar Value Of Networking