Networking of the People Kind

For a while now I've been observing and partaking in networking. Yes, of course computer based networks, but lately I've been thinking (and working) on human networking. It's been around far longer than computer systems, and most professions are much better at it than IT folks.

We often forget that networking is more than just posting to your favorite tech mailing lists or comments on blogs. Networking involves building relationships. Sure, we do this online a lot - in IRC channels, tech or user group mailing lists. We even do this at conferences and training events. Then we have our various social networks, like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Using any networking system or social media effectively requires care and effort. Too many people are interested in the number of people following them, on their friends list, or in their network on these sites. On one of my favorite sites, RecruiterGuy clearly defines the differences between networking and just building lists of people.

Please read it. Then ask yourself if you are using and contributing to your network or are you just collecting names.

If I am in your network, I will usually do what I can to help you. I know the people in my network usually help me. I used to collect names on the list, but now I actually make use of those contacts. My career and life is better for it, and I'm sure others feel the same with their network.