The Lion’s Pride: Networking - Why Join Organizations?

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The Lion’s Pride: Networking

Why Join Organizations?

If you're a regular reader of WildJobSafari.com, then you know I urge you to visit organizations when you're unemployed and join them when you have a job.

There are several reasons for this:

Like attracts like. Or, if you like, success attracts success. People tend to associate with others who are at least somewhat like them. For instance, I belong to Toastmasters International, which helps its members achieve their leadership and speaking goals. In other words, we share common interests. Ditto other organizations and clubs.

You are who you hang with. This is a sad paraphrased imitation of what Sylvester Stallone's character said to a little girl in the first "Rocky." If you want to be smart, you hang around smart people, Rocky advises. If you want to be stupid, you hang around stupid people. Piggybacking onto what Stallion said, if you want to be successful, you hang around successful people.

Members help each other. We all have our own network. By tapping other people's networks, your own grows - and vice versa. If the members themselves can't help, chances are they know someone who can. This holds true for pretty much anything from finding a reliable handyman to adjust rain gutters to finding a job.

They're fun! As one of my friends once said, "If it ain't fun, I ain't doing it." As long as you're going to be giving and getting assistance and building friendships, you might as well have a good time doing it.

KEEP IN MIND, though, that not all organizations are created equally. As such, you should research any group you might want to join. Here are a few basic questions to ask:

Why does this group exist? In short, are they just a bunch of good ol' boys sitting around, drinking and lying about things that never happened? Do they contribute to society in some way? The Lions Club, for instance, has a strong focus on the sense of sight.

How does membership benefit the member? Some groups, like Toastmasters, offer education and a chance to practice their skills.

What's it going to cost? Ask about the annual dues in addition to how much the per meeting charge is. Since most organizations hold their meetings during a meal, you should factor this into your decision, as well.

How old are the members? I once spoke at a group where the average age was retirement. As a result, they wanted me to join to add new blood to their club. In all probability, however, I would have derived no career benefit from joining.

IN THE CARAVAN: Join an organization or two to help your career, but research the groups before joining.

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Business Card Pack Rats / Gump-Style Networking / Becoming the Hub Increases Your Brand / Becoming the Hub II: Building Self-Feeding Buzz / Myths and Truisms / Grow Your Network - Go Where The Employers Are! / It's Not What You Know... / Always Be Prepared...Even If You're Not a Boy Scout / How to Make Six Degrees of Separation Work (Even If You're Not Kevin Bacon) / Marketing and Branding Yourself, Part I / Branding II: Your Website or Blog / Finding the Right Contact Person / Give a Little to Get a Little / Why Join Organizations? / First Contact With Mr. Smith, Part 1 / First Contact With Mr. Smith, Part 2: The Winning of The Sally / First Contact With Mr. Smith, Part 3: First Impressions / Asking Mr. Smith for Help, Part 1 / Asking Mr. Smith for Help, Part II: It's Not the Song, It's the Singer / Asking Mr. Smith for Help, Part III: Getting down to business / Networking at Job Fairs / Doing It On the Road / Networking Online / Getting Info From Sally & Co., Part I / Getting Info From Sally & Co., Part II: Asking The Right Questions / Networking Out of Town Part I: Laying the Foundation / Networking Out of Town Part II: Touring for Interviews / Working the Network by Feeding the Network / 'Running' Into Contacts / You Only Get What You Ask For / Press the Flesh II: Small Talk / Press the Flesh Like a Pro / Playing the Percentages / Fishing and the Right Bait / Shrek Style / Get Your Butterflies Flying In Formation / Discover Other People’s Passions / Double Dipping Doing Good / Overbooking Your Way to a New Job / Shaking the Branches of Your Family Tree / Working Your Reunion / Parents of Your Kids' Friends