Getting to know people who work in the industry you want to be a part of is one the earliest steps to getting your foot in the door. Going about getting these contacts (in other words, networking) isnt always clear cut. So when you are applying for jobs in Eugene, and you are looking for opportunities to network, here are the steps you should follow, courtesy of Meridith Levinson at CIO.com:
1. Start small: approaching people you dont know can be a little scary for some. Assuage that fear by looking for familiar faces first; friends and family members who work in your industry. They can also point you towards their own contacts. Tapping into the alumni base of your college (if you went to one) also counts as starting small.
2. Ask for introductions: nce youve made one or more contacts within your small circle (see above), build off of it by asking them for introductions to other industry figures.
3. Follow up: build up your credibility and visibility by sharing information with the contacts you meet. These can be articles, a website, or a phone number. If your contacts ask you for some information, or if you offer and they accept, make sure you get that information to them.
4. Dont be afraid of rejection:people arent always willing to help you and you may not hear back form them. Rejection is a part of life, so dont let it keep you down, and certainly dont let it prevent you from trying again.
By Kyle Wise
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