When you hear the word "networking", what comes to your mind first?
You probably think about going to a job fair or asking all of your friends, family members and acquaintances for jobs.
But if you are currently employed, you might very well have easy access to one of the best networks you can have.
Let me introduce you to a different networking concept ? that of "inside" networking, "inside" meaning: within your current company or organization.
68% of large U.S. companies have some kind of employee networks, according to the Diversity Best Practices group.
Lots of these corporate networking groups are divided into functional categories, like sales, public relations, etc.
You might ask: "but how will I benefit from joining a networking group within my company? Why will this help my career?"
Here are 7 reasons why joining one of your company's networking group, like the "Advertising Leadership Team" will give a huge boost to your career
1, You will have access to company leaders you otherwise wouldn't through interaction within the group and through delivering presentations, and joining in on projects.
2, Active involvement in company decision making process. For example: if you are an integral part of your company's "Advertising Leadership Team" you will have insight into how decisions are made and you will also have responsibility for the success of projects involving that team.
3, You will have access to a huge network of like-minded professionals who are also interested in advancing their career, participating in special projects and learning new skills.
4, Being part of the networking group and being involved with special projects also means that you will also a pulse on the big picture, more specifically: the corporate-wide happenings.
5, You will also gain insights into industry happenings through your regular contact with decision-makers, like-minded peers and training opportunities.
6, Because these networks are there to support not only their members (you) but mainly the parent organization (your company), your involvement in a successful network project will lead to recognition and consequently, advancement opportunities.
7, Education and advancement. Company networks regularly offer skill-building opportunities through seminars, professional training sessions, and mentor relationships. Take advantage of all of them to advance your career and expand your knowledge base!
Here are a couple of tips to make the most of your network participation
How to find the RIGHT networking group?
Join one that not only has an active agenda but also boasts the endorsement and personal involvement of a senior manager you respect and want to learn from.
One more tip in closing:
Before you join a networking group, make sure that you create a plan and in it define what it is that you want out of your network participation and contribute to your network accordingly.
Good luck networking WITHIN your company! Because internal company networks work with basically every level of corporate hierarchy, you will get exposure to and contact with major decision-makers within the company.
These networks serve as bridges connecting a variety of professionals from all levels within an organization. By becoming a member of such networks, you will gain an incredible career advantage and will develop friendship, professional contacts, expand your knowledge base and, ultimately, benefit your career for a long time to come.
About The Author
Rita Fisher, a Certified Professional Resume Writer, writes professional resumes for job seekers. She has received publicity for her work with job seekers on the Oprah Winfrey Show, in McCall's magazine and in many other media sources. Her professional resume writing work has been featured in "Gallery of Best Resumes" a book by Jist Publishing. You can reach her at http://www.CareerChangeResumes.com.
![]() Google News Updated : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:56:09 GMT Berlusconi Shares Investor Pain With $2 Billion Loss (Update2) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Andrew Davis and Lorenzo Totaro Oct. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi promises Italians they won't lose ``even a euro'' of their bank accounts in the current credit crisis. Video: Bush Says He Will Help US Banks Bush To Speak About $250 Billion Banking Rescue Plan Monday Morning Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:46:59 GMT Cambodia: Thailand withdraws troops from border - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Thai troops retreated from a disputed border zone Tuesday, a Cambodian general said, averting a possible military clash after Cambodia's prime minister issued an ultimatum to Thailand to withdraw by midday. Thai army to maintain troops in disputed area Thailand, Cambodia spar over border troop positions Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:51:31 GMT House Race Is Shaken by Report of an Affair - New York Times
New York Times - By IAN URBINA WASHINGTON - The Florida congressman who succeeded Mark Foley after he resigned because of a sex scandal is now embroiled in a sex scandal of his own, and has requested a Congressional ethics investigation to clear his name. A Florida (House) Bombshell House to investigate lawmaker for alleged affair, ethics lapse Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:20:36 GMT North Korea to resume nuclear dismantlement - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea planned to resume dismantling its nuclear program Tuesday for the first time in two months, days after the United States removed the communist regime from a terrorism blacklist as a reward under a disarmament pact. IAEA: N. Korea disabling set for Tuesday North Korean foreign minister set for nuclear talks in Moscow Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:11:42 GMT Milk, Sunshine Each Day Keep the Doctor Away - Washington Post
Washington Post - · Kids from newborns to teenagers should take twice as much Vitamin D as previously recommended because it may help prevent serious disease, a leading medical group said yesterday. Video: HealthWatch More tenacious about vitamin D Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:17:28 GMT Kashkari Leaps From Obscurity to Lead Role in US Bank Rescue - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Robert Schmidt and Rebecca Christie Oct. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Minutes before Neel Kashkari's public debut as the chief of the US Treasury's financial rescue plan, he sat in a hotel lobby in Washington, unrecognized by many of the international bankers ... What Treasury is planning After Historic Rally, Feds To Buy Bank Ownerships Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:57:34 GMT Asian, European Markets Continue Upbeat Rally - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Blaine Harden TOKYO, Oct. 14 -- Feverish buying in Japan on Tuesday replaced last week's market panic, as the benchmark Nikkei stock index soared to its largest-ever percentage gain in a single day, up 14.15 percent -- part of a global rally in ... Video: Asia Markets Mostly Up Monday World Markets Reflect Growing Hope Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:11:14 GMT Increased Website Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... In a day of background checks, pre-employment drug screening and... Read More It is important to prepare thoroughly for your telephone interview.Begin... Read More I'll be the first to admit that I hated my... Read More 1. You dread getting out of bed and going to... Read More Man is a social animal and survival is his major... Read More While identity theft is nothing new, the Web has opened... Read More Why Career Advice Is So ImportantChoosing a career presents a... Read More Resume Writing doesn't have to be a solo gigResume writing... Read More 1.Define your objective: Know what kind of work you most... Read More Do you think that there is a big sign that... Read More Some interview questions are asked so frequently that they've become... Read More Let's face it?not everybody likes going to school and high... Read More When all is not well with work, what do you... Read More In a recent survey of over 662 career seekers, some... Read More Collect them all!Over the course of six months in my... Read More Employers have fears, uncertainty and DOUBT (the FUD factor) over... Read More The fastest way to make a good interview go bad... Read More No matter how much time and energy you invest in... Read More Many people in the last decade have experienced for themselves... Read More A legendary marketing genius once said that, if he had... Read More Although interview preparation is everything it's sad to say that... Read More What's It All About? The field of patent law is... Read More When an employer decides to conduct an interview with you,... Read More Those who watched HBO's Sex and the City (SATC, now... Read More "The Baratarian pirates also offered their services. Even though an... Read More
Adsense
websites
Career Advice: Are Resumes Obsolete As A Primary Job Search Tool?
How To Prepare For A Telephone Interview
From Bumbling Bosses to Cranky Co-Workers ? How to Overcome What Makes You Hate Your Job
10 Warning Signs That You?re Ready for a Career Transition
Loving What You Do
Identity Theft and Your Online Job Search
Top Career Advice ... More Choices and A Better Way of Life
Resume Writing Tips
How To Conduct A Successful Job Search Campaign
How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?
The 7 Tough Job Interview Questions That Can Make or Break You - and How to Answer Them
Ten Careers For High School Seniors Who Hate School
When All Is Not Well With Work
Layoff Survival Guide - Do You Have The Career Management Horsepower It Will Take To Survive?
Seven Deadly Types of Job Recruiters
Resume Tune Up
What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
Five Mistakes That Can Derail Your Job Search
The Top 10 Reasons to have a Career Coach
Need a Job? Put a Gun to Your Head
Overcome Interview Nerves: Be Better Prepared than Your Interviewer
Is Pursuing a Career in Patent Law the Right Move for You?
Job Interview Preparation - What Employers Are Looking For
Losing a Career When Youre Moving for Love
Diplomats and Spies
Dealing with tough questions and objections is an essential part... Read More
Purpose: Learn about the new Polygraph for management hiresHis heart... Read More
Using a general résumé.DON'T DO IT! You cannot successfully use... Read More
Options for Resume LayoutsThere are many options of available to... Read More
1. An attractive layout that is easy to read and... Read More
These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The... Read More
Older job hunters fear interviews where their age cannot be... Read More
You are looking for a job and you are out... Read More
The increasing globalization of business has created a demand for... Read More
I've watched a few episodes of Nanny 911 and with... Read More
I manage a website for corporate flight attendants that features... Read More
In today's competitive job market, a first class resume is... Read More
Have any of these situations happened to you? Forgetting your... Read More
More than ever, employers want employees who can produce results!... Read More
More and more people are looking to gain an edge... Read More
Q. I just finished a job interview. Everything went well.... Read More
Success is not always something you necessarily find when you... Read More
11 Commandments For Smart Negotiating1 - BE PREPARED. The... Read More
As a human resources specialist for many years, I've seen... Read More
People react very differently to the waves of change that... Read More
There are many free job search resources available in any... Read More
Are you desperately trying to find a telecommute job so... Read More
What do many employees wish for at work? A bonus... Read More
Whether you are networking to find a new job opportunity,... Read More
Ugh! Arg! How can a survivor type job be good... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |