When Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah (on her show) for Dr.Angelou’s 74th birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was “exciting.”

Dr. Angelou also said:”I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: continue reading…

1. Look at networking as a way to increase your knowledge about your industry and function. You’ll learn things that will differentiate you from the competition who aren’t bothering to create a network.

2. Network to create relationships. Network with people even if you don’t think there is a job available right now. This is the way you’ll find your next job. Plus it can bring you every job after that. You may never need to be in job search mode again.

3. Be willing to help other people. And make that clear by always asking “How can I be of assistance to you?”

4. Play to your strengths. Use the skills that make you successful in a job to help make you successful in networking. Do what you do best: if you’re detail oriented, do lots of research. If you’re marketing professional, create sound bites about what makes you a great candidate.

5. When people offer to help (and more than you might think will be very willing to lend assistance), let them. Protests like “Oh, no, I couldn’t ask you to do that” aren’t necessary nor flattering to either of you.

6. Be willing to ask specifically for what you want. I know that can be hard. However, if you don’t, the other person has to do the work to try to figure out how to help you.

7. Be willing to be yourself. You don’t have to embellish or fabricate; you’re great just the way you are, even if you haven’t had much confirmation of that recently.

8. Treat any networking encounter like a business meeting even if it’s a phone call, email exchange, on line or in person. Don’t forget to bring your personality and unique style.

9. Listen, listen, listen. ‘nuf said.

10. Thank them, write to them, keep them informed, stay in touch, remember them.

And an extra:
Create good career karma by connecting people to each other for their benefit even if there isn’t anything in it for you at the time.

And to make all of this a little easier, be sure to sign up for your FREE report in the column on the right. Start having great networking conversations right away.

One key goal of any networking activity should be to get referrals and introductions to other people to talk to. But no one wants to introduce someone to their contacts, only to have the contact come back to them in a few days complaining about the person they referred. That can be very embarassing.

So while you're talking to people, they are having an inner dialog--asking themselves questions like:

•  “Do I dare introduce this person to my important connections?"
• "Will they embarrass me and make me look stupid for having referred them?”
• “Does this person act professional enough for me to refer to my network?”
• “Does this person ask intelligent questions. "
• "Do they seem to have done their homework?"
• “Does this person know what they want to know from my contacts or will they fumble and mumble if I give them someone to call?”
• “Do I like this person?”

Even if they don't say it out loud, know they are asking their questions. So now you can be sure your presence, conversation, and questions, etc., are actually helping them answer these questions positively. Then they can feel comfortable about referring or introducing you to someone in their network--someone whose opinion they value.

When people feel comfortable with you, they will feel comfortable introducing you into their network. And you're on your way into the hidden job market!

And if you would like to have actual job search networking scripts to feel comfortable making your networking phone calls, please get your free report:   Terror-Free Hidden Job Market Networking Scripts.