Tops Ways to Network

What a list! A recent report from the Society for Human Resource Management identified a variety of networking sources and the percentages of SHRM respondents that use them. It’s very interesting and you can find the results at the end of the survey. That only 22% of respondents use professional societies and trade associations surprised me since SHRM is all about networking for professional development. Evren Esern, manager of SHRM’s survey program said about the results, “It’s the face to face, it’s the who-you-know that counts in business.”

Does that ring true for you? How do you use your network? Let us know, take our short survey here.

Now, here’s the SHRM list (minus the percentages). I hope all of these networking sources are on your radar screen as top ways to network.

• Friends and relatives
• Colleagues
• Conferences, trade shows, conventions
• People at higher levels than you
• Clients
• Business meetings
• Professional, industry or trade associations
• Online professional networking sites (e.g. LinkedIn)
• Online job search/career sites
• Online social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, MySpace)
• Mentors/coaches in non-supervisory roles
• Job fairs
• Alumni associations
• Professors

Network ON!
By Susan Colantuono, CEO and Founder Leading Women and author of No Ceiling, No Walls