The importance of networking to make money and better your career

The old saying "it's not what you know, it's who you know" is almost true.  I like to say "it's not what you know, its what and who you know."  In these economic times, both of these beliefs play importance in benefiting your career and making money.

My experience in networking

I've always knew the importance of "knowing" someone.  Whether it being having a friend whose a mechanic to a friend that can get you deals on something you may need.  But it wasn't until I graduated college that I learned the hard taught lesson on networking in business.

Fresh out of college and armed with a marketing degree, I sent my resume into a prestigious company, had a great line of communication with the hiring director, and had an amazing interview.  I was almost positive I got the position and my morale was at its peak.  This was one of the most well known companies in the country and I was set to start my career at the young age of 22 in it.

I understood the entire interview process for all of the candidates would take a few months so I maintained communication with the hiring director and was informed I was still in the mixed of potential hire's.  Five months later, I get a letter in the mail explaining that unfortunately the position has been filled.  In the footer, the director wrote a handwritten note explaining in so few words that I was the top candidate but a favor needed to be done.  Someone knew someone in the company and had to be "hooked up."

Learn to network so you can make top dollar

From that experience, I knew I had to get my name out and become a familiar face.  I started by going back to my college to talk to old professors.  Think about it, a lot of these professors have taught some of the people that might be interviewing you tomorrow.  Being that professors are well respected and have a good report with people, they will be trusted if they give you a recommendation to someone they know.

Next, I found email addresses for people in the top companies and emailed them about potential employment.  Even if they said they had nothing available I would keep communication with them (once every month or two) so that my name would be in their memory.  Email, standard postage, phone calls, do whatever you can to get your name out.  Its like what Napoleon Hill said in "Think and Grow Rich", if Benjamin Franklin hadn't perfected the electric light bulb, he would try until he perfected it because he failed plenty of times before he perfected it.  So even if you're not very qualified for the position, try!

Join LinkedIn and other business social networks to get your name out.  Business social networks put everyone in the business state of mind so if they find your profile and like what they see, they're already poised to talk business and possibly hiring. 

Have copies of your resumes everywhere you go.  The great thing about the BlackBerry era is that you can have your resume saved directly onto your device and if you're at a party and meet someone of stature who would like your resume, you can send that person it instantly.  I didn't have a BlackBerry back then but I did have my resume in the car.  A friend who was working for a small catering business invited me to a party she was working for which would be attended by marketing companies.  I met a few people and one of them really enjoyed my presence and asked for my resume, I quickly went to the car and presented it to him.  A few weeks later, I had a job!

Networking can work anywhere!

Applying the same principles here can also help you with your online business or website.  After being laid off from the marketing company, I took my experience and knowledge from networking in the business world to networking in the internet marketing universe.  I presented my website to anyone that wanted to listen and built it up from there to make me lots of money!