One important strategy when looking for a new job or advancing one’s career is networking. However, many of my clients express concern or fear over networking. They don’t want to look like they are taking advantage of their friends and family or they’re afraid to contact people because they’ve lost touch. This may be because they have a misunderstanding of what networking is. For many people, networking implies “work” which conjures up negative images and drudgery. After all, "work" is built right into the word. It’s scary because they’re thinking of it as calling someone and asking for something.

I prefer to think of networking as netbuilding. After all, that’s what it’s all about. It’s about building a net. You are truly building relationships that will catch you when you fall or simply support you when you need it. Ideally, you are strengthening your net before you need it. This will make it easier to reach out when you need help.

I like the image of a net! If you think of a net as rope intricately woven together, you can actually see the importance of the interconnections. Just picture the crossing ropes as all the people you know reaching out and connecting you to the people they know. The more connections you have, the stronger and more comfortable your net is. If you cut one of the ropes, or even just fray the rope, it will weaken and lose its effectiveness. Relationships are fragile, make sure to treat your relationships with the care they deserve.

Taking this image even further, if you imagine your net as a hammock, perhaps relaxing images, rather than stressful ones, will come to mind. That is what you are doing when you build your network. You are building relationships and resources that will be comfortable for you to reach out to should the need arise.

So what can you do to build a strong network that’s easy to reach out to?

1. Make a list of everyone you know – yes, everyone! This includes family, friends, neighbors, current co-workers, past co-workers, former teachers, your children’s friends’ parents, your professionals (accountant, financial planner, doctor, etc).
2. Reach out to others with whom you have common interests. Invite people you’d like to get to know to go out to coffee or lunch.
3. Reconnect with those you’ve lost touch with - send a card, make a phone call or schedule a get-together. Set a goal to reconnect with 1 person from your past each week or month.
4. Share information and referrals. A network is a two way street. One that works well is as much about giving than receiving. In the end, your generosity will come back to you.
5. Get involved with a professional association or recreational group to meet people that share your passions. At each meeting, set a goal to meet a new person and follow-up to schedule a one-on-one meeting to further develop your relationship.

Are you looking for a unique gift for that hard-to-buy-for person in your life? Do you know someone that is unsatisfied in their current job, but is unsure how to proceed? Do you know someone who is unemployed and needs a little extra help and motivation in their job search? Do you know a Senior who will be graduating in 2006? Would you like to give yourself the gift of a more fulfilling job in 2006?

Consider the benefits of a career coaching gift certificate. Career coaching can help the recipient:

• Take control of their career
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• Explore roadblocks
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As a Certified Parachute Facilitator, I would like to introduce you to Job Talk, Parachute's weekly Webcast radio program for job hunters and career changers. Each week, listeners' questions are answered live on the air by Richard N. Bolles, author of What Color Is Your Parachute?, the best-selling job-hunting book in the world!

If you or anyone in you know has a question for Dick, email them to jobtalk@parachute.com. Don't forget to include your name, e-mail and phone number so they can contact you in case the question is selected to be answered live during the weekly program. As a bonus, Parachute will respond to everyone who asks a question whether or not they are selected for the live program.

The question and answer session will be recorded and posted on www.parachute.com so everyone can hear them and benefit from Dick's trusted advice.

There is a delightful book for children by Stephen Krensky entitled "How Santa Got His Job" which shows how Santa discovered his "ideal job". He explored many career alternatives prior to becoming Santa Claus including zookeeper (where he became friendly with the reindeer), postal worker (where he decided to deliver packages at night to save time), and a chimney sweep (where he learned how to climb chimneys without getting dirty). Each job was an important step on his career path leading him closer to his true calling as the Santa Claus that we all know and love. This is a wonderfully silly story for the whole family, while at the same time teaching children and adults about the process of career discovery. It's a great way to begin introducing your children to potential career paths in a fun, entertaining way. This would make a great Christmas gift!