Why You Need to Network Even When You Have a Job

Why You Need to Network Even When You Have a Job
Posted Apr 21st 2010 3:13PM
By Liz Lynch

I know many job seekers look forward to the day when they can accept a job offer, settle into a nice work routine with their new employer, and never have to network again. Meeting new people can be awkward, especially if you feel you're in a disadvantaged position and need their help. I get that.

But that's exactly why you should network when you have a job. Instead of feeling like a second-class citizen, you can approach people more confidently, you have more value to add, and you can build mutually beneficial relationships that can help you over the long-term in your career and your life.

Here are some other key reasons why it makes sense to keep networking if you have a job, and especially if you just landed a new one:

Makes you more valuable in your current position. Expanding your network inside your company as well as making regular time to attend industry events to build your network outside your company will give you a broader perspective and increase your knowledge of trends and important initiatives. It will also give you access to people, information and resources that can help you do your current job better.

Helps opportunities find you more easily. You may be happy with the job you have, but being an active networker keeps you on the radar screens of people who might want to offer you a better job at a higher salary, and who wouldn't want that?

Increases your options if you want to leave, or are forced to leave. You never know when you may want to make a change at a moment's notice, so it's smart to have your network primed and ready to go. In fact, that's where real job security is: when you don't have to worry what might happen if you have to leave because you know things will work out.


Liz Lynch is author of Smart Networking: Attract a Following In Person and Online, founder of http://www.smartnetworking.com/, and co-creator of the Job Search Marketing Blueprint system.