How did you use networking to get you where you are?

Hi Nathan!

Great question. One of the first things I learned in college was the phrase "use your friends." My teacher used to mean that we should ask our friends for help, make the textbook our friend, and use our resources around us. I've used throughout my career.

The best way to network is to meet lots of people and share with them what your dreams and goals are. You never know who might know another person. One day I was sitting on a plane, and struck up a conversation with the woman next to me. It turns out she was hiring for a position I only dreamed of. Over the course of the 4 hour flight we talked and she suggested that I apply for the job. The next week I got it.
Prior to that, I had talked to hundreds of people, making connections, and mapping my network out (I <3 linked in) before I had met the woman and moved forward in my career.

Bottom line is: Meet and make friends with as many people as you can, and don't burn any bridges (you might need them later).

While daunting, social media does have its benefits. When well-executed, social media can enable you to engage in a two-way conversation with a community of colleagues, establish yourself as a thought leader within a particular field, stay on top of breaking news and current trends, and spread the word about your work to a vastly diverse online audience.

Networking can be great and it can also be awkward, especially if you are also job hunting. Obviously, you want to know who is hiring, where the positions are, and if you will be a good fit but you don't want to come right out and say that at a networking event.
Make sure you do your research - if it is a meet/greet or job fair, select a few companies, do your research, and find commonalities with your experiences. You can open with "hey! I read your article about...." or "I saw that you recently opened an office...." and that can help break the ice.
If you are on LinkedIn, look for similar contacts for an introduction or shared experiences that can be touched on in an introductory email.