1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,900 [Career Foundations with Dan Gorgone] 2 00:00:04,901 --> 00:00:08,700 [Dan Gorgone] It would be wonderful to accomplish everything we wanted to on our own. 3 00:00:08,701 --> 00:00:13,280 Think of all the time we'd save. We wouldn't have to deal with terrible bosses, 4 00:00:13,281 --> 00:00:18,180 lousy commutes, corporate backstabbing, angry customers. 5 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:21,470 There's a lot to love about working on your own. 6 00:00:21,470 --> 00:00:28,360 However, the reality of working in the tech industry is that learning to network is vital for staying current, 7 00:00:28,361 --> 00:00:32,140 improving your own skills, and sharing experiences. 8 00:00:32,141 --> 00:00:35,170 Networking is more than simply meeting and greeting 9 00:00:35,171 --> 00:00:38,420 or clicking the Follow button on a social network. 10 00:00:38,421 --> 00:00:45,400 The power behind networking is when you build real relationships and turn them into professional opportunities. 11 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:48,650 Networking allows you to establish connections 12 00:00:48,650 --> 00:00:54,010 and learn about the path you want to take, such as meeting people with your desired job 13 00:00:54,010 --> 00:00:58,580 at an ideal company, or in the industry you'd like to be in. 14 00:00:58,581 --> 00:01:02,270 It can lead to introductions, invitations to events, 15 00:01:02,270 --> 00:01:07,240 and perhaps get your foot in the door when you see a promising job opening. 16 00:01:07,245 --> 00:01:12,240 [Jim Hoskins] Traditional sites I think—you know—the ones where you'll find all sorts of jobs? 17 00:01:12,249 --> 00:01:16,999 I haven't really looked very well. I'm sure there are plenty of them. 18 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:24,990 But I find that web development is such—one of those markets where finding talent is so difficult for people, 19 00:01:24,990 --> 00:01:28,540 there's definitely more need than there are developers available, 20 00:01:28,540 --> 00:01:33,050 that they make a real effort to reach out—the companies do to find those developers, so 21 00:01:33,050 --> 00:01:37,860 they kind of come to where you are, so if you kind of just look around and find the job boards 22 00:01:37,860 --> 00:01:42,670 that seem to be popular in your area. But really I think it comes down to networks— 23 00:01:42,670 --> 00:01:50,350 like most of the time it comes down to knowing a friend, going to conferences and meeting people, 24 00:01:50,350 --> 00:01:54,820 because that's where jobs first become available, is through the people who work there 25 00:01:54,820 --> 00:01:58,800 and reaching out to their networks and then it ends up on a board usually. 26 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:01,470 So the best jobs you'll find are through your network. 27 00:02:01,470 --> 00:02:05,979 [Dan Gorgone] It's important to consider your options for where and when to network, 28 00:02:05,979 --> 00:02:11,970 as well as how to make to make the best impression and keep your connections active over time. 29 00:02:11,970 --> 00:02:15,060 But recognize the difference between quantity and quality. 30 00:02:15,061 --> 00:02:21,140 Racking up hundreds of contacts online is nothing compared to the value of a group of strong, 31 00:02:21,140 --> 00:02:25,140 helpful, and engaging professional connections. 32 00:02:25,141 --> 00:02:31,000 In this series of videos, we'll discuss how networking online and offline 33 00:02:31,002 --> 00:02:35,000 can lead to unique opportunities to move forward along your career path.