How to build your professional network

Building a professional network is another one of those skills analogous to when we say 'common sense is not that common'. We are naturally social beings and need a network of people to go about our day-to-day lives. However, in addition to a basic social network, it is crucial to build a professional network and guess what.. it does not come naturally to everyone and is in fact a practiced and honed skill. So none of us are born with this knowledge; only as we climb up our career ladder and interact with peers and leaders, do we begin to gradually learn how to go about it.

Whom to network with?
Everyone! You many never know which contact of yours would end up helping you out at a difficult stage or furthering your success. Especially at conferences such as the GHC, you may not even be aware that the person you just casually passed at the escalator, belongs to the same field as yours and could be a great contact to build. So next time, do not hesitate to strike a conversation with the person standing next to you. Or in a general case, be open to making new connections with all the people in your circles. Important pointer - do not exclude social networks to make professional connections. That is a great way to leverage your existing connections to strike a professional chord with.

When you introduce yourself to someone, it is important to make a personal connection every time. You should be confident, cheerful and exuberant to meet the other person. A smile can go a long way and make sure to look the other person in the eye when you're speaking. This ensures that you will both remember each other and not forget this casual conversation at the turn of the hour.

So how does networking further your career?
A good network has manifold advantages. It makes you and your work known in this era of information overload where you need to strive to make your mark. Also it provides a source of recommendation letters from your advisors or managers, co-workers, directors, other areas of your company, and recruiters in industry. Through your network, you can get invites to give talks and interviews, or to be on several program committees. You can find your network useful in joining technical or community service organizations that help you contribute to the progress around you. Essentially, talking to more like minded people leads to new ideas on topics of interest or different slants on old ideas, thus helping you in your work or when forming new collaborations. Last but not the least, networking also ends up creating long and lasting friendships!

Memorial Day Weekend :)

After much ado and cribbing about too much work and no play, I finally had a nice time this long weekend. It is now that I fully comprehend why people make such a fuss about California being so beautiful and the most coveted state to reside in, here in the US. I visited a variety of places from the countryside farmlands to the coastline extending into the wide blue ocean, and also to the bustling city amidst all the crowd. Heck I'm from Mumbai..and I'd be damned if I don't like people running all around me :)

So watch out for the series of upcoming posts for my travelogue...I realized it'd be a huge crime if I didn't blog about the beauty I witnessed and you didn't get to read it, in all its glory and detail :)




"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance, I hope you dance"

Trying to accomplish...

I know when I've hit a writer's block. and now its precisely that.

Its such a new and exciting phase of my life with a cosy summer internship at Yahoo! in the coveted state of California :) I see so many new and different things almost every hour and my life and so much to pen down. And yet.. everyday I come home with the resolution to blog it all... unresolved. My brand new camera lies somewhere forgotten in a side pocket of my backpack. This is not like me.. or rather not the way I see myself among all of this.



And hence, i'm simply starting off with this little revelation for now. and mostly..for a few more days to come.. its going to be like this, with me penning down a quick thought or contemplation that crosses my convoluted mind.

I however did manage to accomplish a small personal feat after a long slack..finished off a novel in a night - "Big Money" by P.G.Wodehouse. The Wodehouse collection is worth a shot my avid reader friends. And nothing like a prolific author to stir your imagination of putting thoughts into words.

Looking at it, I have ended up writing quite a bit eh? :D encouraging..

Finally answering the question... Tryin to accomplish what? Well...lotsa things.. and pertaining to this particular moment... I'd tick brevity.


"Ye zindagi jo..hai naachti toh...kyun bediyon mein...hai tere paon?"