No matter where you are on the career ladder – starting out, consolidating or even retiring and soaking up the sun – the process of networking is vital. But when I say “networking” I don’t mean meeting and greeting and handing out dozens of business cards – these days a great deal of networking and information gathering can take place online (after all it is called “social” media).
The nice thing about this, is that you can get a sense of someone’s skills and experience via LinkedIn, understand their thought process and expertise by reading their blog and even see what they look like and how they “handle themselves” socially via Twitter.
And then, after you have done your “due diligence” and have determined that your online interactions warrant a face-to-face meeting, you can arrange to meet. Where? It really depends on where you live. But in my Networking 101 article over at the MYOB website you can read up on some suggestions for where to go, tools to use and why you should care.