What's your Networking IQ?

Networking Quiz:

Below is a short quiz based on not only several networking basics, but many of the tips and tricks of successful networking as presented by Author Joe Sweeney in his book, “Networking is a Contact Sport."

True or False:

1. The most successful techniques of networking remain constant regardless of gender or race.

2. It is important to network across the board and with individuals from all different walks of life. For example, it is just as important to networking with the diner waitress as it is to network with the company CEO.

3. When attending a social event it is better to mingle and converse with fewer individuals so that you can build stronger ties within your network rather than “spreading yourself too thin."

Multiple Choice:

4. Networking should be treated as _________ in nature.

        a. self-serving

        b. reciprocal

        c. social

5. After meeting a new individual and receiving their business card you should ____________.

        a. throw it in a drawer somewhere for future reference.

        b. call/email them the next day to see how they can help you meet your career goals.

        c. write a short note about the person on the back to help you remember them.

Through the Eyes of a Professional-III

Name: Robert M. Long

Occupation: Attorney-Public Utility Commission of Texas Legal Division

Member of Professional Networking Site: No


1. From your own experiences can you please tell me about a specific instance or general stage in your career where you found networking to be either beneficial or detrimental to you getting a job or promotion?

I am an attorney. When in private practice in law it’s not so much about getting a job or a promotion, but rather getting clients and cases. I was contacted to be a local counsel by a Washington law firm in a big national case because people I had worked with years before recommended me. Much of legal referral work is based upon personal relationships one has developed and maintained through networking. This is the way you get most of your new business.

2. To what degree do you feel building a network is important for your career field in comparison to other careers?

Networking is very important for developing business. Many other fields use advertising and other methods to develop business, but the legal profession relies on networking. This is because the profession has restrictions on advertising as a part of its code of ethical conduct.

3. Do you feel that online networking is becoming more important than face-to-face networking? Why or why not?

I really don’t know because I am older and simply don’t use on-line networking.

4. From your own experience and the experience of friends and/or colleagues which form of networking provides job-seekers with the best opportunity to market themselves?

I believe the best form of networking is face-to-face. That’s just based upon my experience.

5. What advice would you give soon-to-be college graduates entering the professional world regarding networking?

Keep it up. It’s the contacts you make when you don’t need a job or business that pay off later. If you wait until you need something it is pretty apparent why you are networking at that time. Stay in contact with your networks even when nothing is being sought.

Lines Blurred: Are Social Networking Sites the Best Grounds for Career Networking?

     "Career-relevant networks are often limited to a specific focus or membership" (Inkson 2007). With a rise in the amount of  networking occurring through social networking mediums, a new "career community" has arisen. Inkson explores this concept (as cited in Parker and Arthur 2000), " the term career communities is used to describe member-defined communities from which people draw career support" (Inkson, 2007, p. 184). The use of social networking sites have allowed Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ and many other sites to become career communities.

      Dutta and Fraser (2009) explore the phenomenon linking career networking to social networking sites through sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn. In a previous posting we discuss the implications of using social networking sites for career networking purposes and advised social network site users on etiquette for career networking online. Dutta and Fraser (2009) address the implications of the usage of sites such as Facebook for career networking. "With so many people stampeding into Web-based social networks, the line between social and business networking is becoming increasingly blurred. An important question is whether the

values and codes of conduct specific to the virtual world will come into conflict with real-world

values and norms" (Dutta and Fraser, 2009 p.1). 

     While the transition of the use of values and code from the real world to the virtual world remains a question. The authors explore the economic trends behind the move to social networking sites.There are, of course, powerful economic reasons behind the trend. One of the primary reasons is social capital  where "individuals engage in interactions and networking in order to produce profit" (Dutta and Fraser, 2009 p.2)  "These profits are based upon information, influence, social credentials, and recognition. The accumulated social capital, meanwhile, helps individuals to gain competitive advantages in the labor market as a result of privileged access to “resources” located on the social networks" (Dutta and Fraser, 2009, p.2)

     Through utilizing social networking sites as a medium for career networking individuals due to the plethora of weak ties that are available, I would argue that more opportunities to access jobs exist. Inkson (2007) delves into this concept (as cited in Granovetter (1974) of "the strength of weak ties". "Weak ties put people in touch with others who are socially distant, thereby creating new opportunities to progress..." (Inkson, 2007, p. 185). This concept creates a wide range of opportunities for those seeking career networking opportunities online.

Source: Dutta, S., & Fraser, M. (2009, December). When Job Seekers Invade Facebook. McKinsey Quarterly. Retrieved from http://whispersandshouts.typepad.com/ files/facebook-for-job-seeking-1.pdf