Author: Lavie Margolin, Career Coach
We all know that networking is a key component to professional success. How can we make our network work for us? The key to professional networking is building “Professional Equity” with your network. Does your network see you as a professional? Have you interacted with them in a professional manner? Shown up for appointments? Arrived on time? Followed up when asked?
The better someone knows you as a professional, the more they can do to help. A person is more likely to put their own reputation on the line for you when they believe in you. When someone reaches out to you for assistance, make sure to respond, even if you know that you cannot help in that particular situation. If they are reaching out to you for help, they expect and deserve a response: Explain why you might not be able to help this time but how you can help in the future. Wish them luck in their pursuits. Refer them to someone else who could possibly help. Acknowledge the receipt of their message.
Invest in your future. Silence now from you is only likely to result in silence later from them. Give back all you can to build your professional equity and it will be something you can call upon later.
About the Author: Lavie Margolin is a New York-based Career Coach and the author of Lion Cub Job Search: Practical Job Search Assistance for Practical Job Seekers. To learn more, go to Lavie’s website, Lion Cub Job Search:www.Lioncubjobsearch.com