Job Search Tips: Networking vs. Socializing
I was at lunch with a buddy this last week when he started talking about a very interesting concept: networking vs. socializing. He was talking about how his kids socialize (they do it very well), but they don’t know how to network. Perhaps here are some differences:
Socializing = hanging out
Networking = nurturing relationships
Socializing = no purpose
Networking = I respect your time, and mine, and we talk about meaningful stuff
Socializing = boring -> I’m leaving
Networking = when it gets hard, I get to work
Socializing = results in nothing
Networking = never know what, but should eventually result in something
Socializing = entertain me
Networking = let me help you
Socializing = ________________
Networking = ________________
Isn’t that interesting? I personally think that, aside from productive, networking is fun. More fun, perhaps, than socializing!
Note: I’m not saying that socializing is BAD… but it was interesting to think about the differences between the two!
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