4 ms·

More than who realizes? Having been in business for 10 years now I'll tell you for free that networking is everything.

charlesdm 8y ago
With the right people, yes. You generally don't meet those at "networking" events. If anything, you'll find other peddlers trying to sell you something. You do meet those by throwing dinner parties, talking to and meeting interesting people, going to charity events, and through hobbies.
- ClassyJacket 8y ago
  " If anything, you'll find other peddlers trying to sell you something." I just got back from a "networking" event and this is 100% accurate.
- ghaff 8y ago
  It's why "networking" often gets a bad rep. So many of these events are, as you say, people passing out business cards looking for consulting ops, a job, etc. By contrast, socializing, participating in various activities, staying in touch with former colleagues, and so forth is very valuable. Personally, every job I've had since the first post-graduation one has been through someone I knew. None were jobs I "applied for."
- whytaka 8y ago
  I would appreciate an intro course on this.
  - charlesdm 8y ago
    It's a bit hard to write this down in a HN comment. I would guess the best answer to that is, be genuinely curious about other people.
    - doorbellguy 8y ago
      Wish someone here had advice for an absolute beginner who is about to graduate and get into the working sector.
      - kkarakk 8y ago
        1. if you hate your company culture it's not going to get better without effort. either get out or start trying to improve it yourself 2. networking in your company is not possible if you're in a job that is below your capabilities, go out and find your tribe asap. 3. take people out for coffee/food/drinks(depending on your culture) 4. attend every tech event in your area regardless of your interest/skill level. create tech events in your area for your interests
        doorbellguy 8y ago
        Thank you so much.
deleted 8y ago
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overthemoon 8y ago
I suspect there's a disconnect between "people succeed because of their network" vs "I succeeded because of my network". I fall into that trap sometimes, and I have to remind myself I got my first dev gig because someone I'd known for a long time convinced his company to take a risk on me.
wglb 8y ago
It is good that you did. I was about 20 years in before I realized that the arc of my career was built on networking that I didn't really know that I was doing.

With the right people, yes. You generally don't meet those at "networking" events. If anything, you'll find other peddlers trying to sell you something. You do meet those by throwing dinner parties, talking to and meeting interesting people, going to charity events, and through hobbies.

ClassyJacket 8y ago
" If anything, you'll find other peddlers trying to sell you something." I just got back from a "networking" event and this is 100% accurate.
ghaff 8y ago
It's why "networking" often gets a bad rep. So many of these events are, as you say, people passing out business cards looking for consulting ops, a job, etc. By contrast, socializing, participating in various activities, staying in touch with former colleagues, and so forth is very valuable. Personally, every job I've had since the first post-graduation one has been through someone I knew. None were jobs I "applied for."
whytaka 8y ago
I would appreciate an intro course on this.
- charlesdm 8y ago
  It's a bit hard to write this down in a HN comment. I would guess the best answer to that is, be genuinely curious about other people.
  - doorbellguy 8y ago
    Wish someone here had advice for an absolute beginner who is about to graduate and get into the working sector.
    - kkarakk 8y ago
      1. if you hate your company culture it's not going to get better without effort. either get out or start trying to improve it yourself 2. networking in your company is not possible if you're in a job that is below your capabilities, go out and find your tribe asap. 3. take people out for coffee/food/drinks(depending on your culture) 4. attend every tech event in your area regardless of your interest/skill level. create tech events in your area for your interests
      - doorbellguy 8y ago
        Thank you so much.

deleted 8y ago

[deleted]

overthemoon 8y ago

I suspect there's a disconnect between "people succeed because of their network" vs "I succeeded because of my network". I fall into that trap sometimes, and I have to remind myself I got my first dev gig because someone I'd known for a long time convinced his company to take a risk on me.

wglb 8y ago

It is good that you did. I was about 20 years in before I realized that the arc of my career was built on networking that I didn't really know that I was doing.