Networking and Don't Know Where to Start?

Recently I was asked this question..."So who do I network with when I am trying to find a job?" I offered my client a few ideas and have since expanded the list. Listed below are a few people, places, and things that you may wish to consider in building (and sustaining) a vibrant network. Feel free to add to this list what has worked for you in your quest for a new opportunity:

Accountant, advisors, alumni, advocates, attorneys, associations, athletic events

Bankers, barbers, books, blogs, Bing, bookstores, bloggers, brokers, business professionals

Career fairs, consultants, counselors, coaches, clergy, Chambers, conferences, community members, causes, contractors, councils, classrooms, career advisors, colleagues, co-workers, consultants

Directories, doctors, dentists, decision-makers, designers, developers

Entrepreneurs, educators, experts, executives, events, economic development centers

Fraternity, family, friends, Facebook, franchisors, former bosses/supervisors

Google, 'Greek' community, golf & country clubs, gyms, gurus

Headhunters, health clubs, human resources representatives, hair designers

Industry publications, Internet, investors, instructors

Journals, job banks, judges, job clubs, job fairs, job sites

Keynote speakers, key leaders

Libraries, leaders, LinkedIn

Men's groups, meetings, martial arts, meet-ups, musicians, magazines

Neighbors, newspapers, networking events

Organizations

Peers, professional groups, politicians, professors, public officials, periodicals, professional/personal references, programs, publications

Quarterly newsletters

Relatives, recruiters, reference librarians, representatives, roommates, reading, referrals, radio, retailers 

Support groups, stockbrokers, stockholders, stakeholders, S.C.O.R.E, sorority, social clubs, speakers, schools, seminars, specialists

Trade conventions, teachers, television, Twitter, trusted team members, Toastmasters International, travel groups, tours, trainers, technicians 

University career centers, unions

Visits, vacations

Workforce centers, Web, women's groups, webinars, writers, wholesalers

Xtra-curricular activities

Yellow Pages, Young Professionals

Zoning boards

cross-posted billiesucherblog

Comments

[Harris Silverman]

There are a lot of business groups and networking events listed on Meetup.com in localities all over the country.

[billiesucher]

Thanks for your comment, Harris!
www.meetup.com/find/

[Casey Brunson]

Wow...that's an extensive list. I guess the point is that no one is off limits when it comes to networking.

In my personal experience, that is the way it ought to be. Networks are built over time -- just as careers are. I view my network with long term potential. While I have never expected next day job offers from a one-time interaction with someone at a wine and cheese tasting, I have received job leads from relationships that were cultivated through networking.

[billiesucher]

Casey, thanks for your comments! I so second your words: "no one is off limits when it comes to networking."

[Employee Scheduling Software]

Online forums especially those focused in your niche and field. Just being interactive, people will get to want to know you.

[billiesucher]

Excellent addition -- thanks, I will add it to the list!