Networking is necessary, not just at the start of your career, but throughout it. There are many levels but it can be as easy as being yourself.

When it comes to your job search, whether your first professional position after library school, or any search after that, networking is an important aspect. Visions of large hotel function rooms with eager faces and stacks of business cards come to mind, from networking sessions that I attended years ago when starting my personal training business. This environment isn’t ideal for many people, and can be pretty unproductive when the only thing in common between attendees is that everyone is starting their own small business of some type.

For someone like me, (I lean toward extroversion) networking comes pretty naturally. This is not to say that I don’t have a shy, reticent side of my personality. I have moved to new locations often, mostly because of my husband’s career, which can be a reason to retreat within. Yet it has also helped me strengthen my ability to extend myself in unfamiliar environments, which is much of what networking entails as you move forward in your career path. I’m not suggesting moving around the country unless you have some wanderlust to satisfy. However, you can learn to extend yourself in ways that don’t require going to huge gatherings where people mingle with the sole mission of exchanging business cards with as many people as possible. Continue reading Guest Blogger: Networking For Fun (And a Job!) →