THE GOLDEN RULE OF NETWORKING

All professional relationships require care and tending. Like a farmer who tends his field, the effective networker should not expect immediate results. Good networking cannot be rushed. Here are some additional points to remember while building your professional network:

• Relationships are fragile and take years to build, but only seconds to destroy. Be mindful of the delicate nature of relationships.
• Do for others as you would like others to do for you.
• If you attend a networking event for the first time and are desperate to find a job, your desperation will make building a relationship dif cult.
• Don’t expect to take from a group before you have first contributed.
• Other people at a networking event may feel a sense of anxiety. Be the first to smile, shake someone’s hand and introduce yourself.