Networking in Wilmington, NC

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Employment, Social Capital, Wilmington NC

As young professionals we focus on what career we want to have and what company we want to land a job with, but rarely do we focus on how we get there. We’ve all heard the phrase; getting the job you want is all about “knowing people.” This may be truer than we think. The act of networking is a very important practice that all business men and women must try and accomplish.

Networking can be thought of as a sharing of common interests or ideas. The business world is constantly evolving and therefore businesses need to be always be connected to new ideas and thoughts. Through networking people are able to share their opinions and even more importantly meet people that their business could benefit from.

Wilmington has a plethora of businesses that rely on networking. A great website that helps professionals within our area is WilmingtonNetworkingEvents.com. This webpage creates a calendar of all the networking events that are happening throughout the month. There are even different categories of networking from young professionals to meet and greets. For example, every Wednesday there is an event held called “strictly business.” The event is held at a local bar where a more casual atmosphere allows sales executives, business owners, and managers to meet new clients and contacts. Another example is the Brunswick County Young Professionals meetings, where men and women that are up and coming into the business world are able to talk about their next step, how to get there, who to talk to, what’s the best way to go about things.

Everyone benefits from networking, because its smart, easy, and as we see from this website, fun! Networking can be seen as a challenge because it is not effective if you’re not willing to put yourself out there. Check out the webpage for more information on opportunities where you can network and get your name out there. It is never too early to start networking.

Alissa Lockwood

Business Job Search Networking Personal Branding

Comments

15 responses to “Networking in Wilmington, NC”

April 5, 2010

Meghan French

Networking is extremely important in the professional world and this blog hits the nail on the head. I have seen firsthand in finding summer internships how extremely helpful connections are. To add on to your phrase that, “getting a job is all about ‘knowing people.” People have always told me, “It’s who you know that gets you there and it’s what you know that keeps you there.” Once you get your foot in the door, it’s all up to you. However, in applying for jobs or internships when 100-200 people have already applied; that door is a lot easier to open if you know someone and attending a networking event is just the place to start.

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April 5, 2010

Tiffany Evans

I completely agree with this blog and the previous comment. Networking is something that can help us immensely in our professional lives as well as during our time at school. Since the economy has taken its downturn, it has been more difficult to get even a summer job. From personal experience, it is apparent that the one who knows someone on the “inside” usually gets the position. Opportunities to network during college should definitely be taken advantage of because you never know when it could pay off in the future! Literally!

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April 6, 2010

Megan Regele

I definitely agree with this post as well as with the other comments. Networking has become an extremely important factor when people are applying for jobs. It is good to get your name out there with people who work in the field that you are interested in. Often times knowing someone in the company or field that you are applying for a job in helps you get the position over someone that may not know anyone or did not partake in networking strategies. This concept of networking is extremely important today because of the extreme competition that is present when looking for a job. Beginning to network while you are still in college is definitely something that we all should start doing because it will be beneficial in the future as we graduate and begin to look for jobs!

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April 6, 2010

Catherine Van Eron

I defintely agree that networking is great when looking for a job. I recently got a new part time job, only because I know the owners. The same day I was hired, another girl came in to get a job. She had come in a few times before and was just checking if there were any new positions. The owner told her they were not hiring. Even though they did not need to hire me, they still did because they have known me for a while. I have also gone by the saying “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” I obviously want to be a knowledgable person, but I agree that the more people you know, the less difficult it is to find a job.

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April 7, 2010

James Barrow

We all know networking is extremely important. It’s actually DOING networking which I find difficult. Thanks for posting the link because thats a great start for me. As I mentioned it’s hard finding people to network with if your not putting yourself out there. Once you have found people you can network with and help you in your professional career you’ll have put yourself in a great position for success.

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April 7, 2010

Lauren Phelps

This is great! I’m glad that I read this post. I always find myself struggling with networking, in that its so hard to keep these contacts alive in my job search. But its probably one of the most important parts of finding the job I want or making business relationships. This link will be really helpful!

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April 7, 2010

Haley Williams

I definitely agree that networking is an increasingly important factor in pursuing and getting a job. Especially with the economy in its current state, networking and any additional help we can each find in order to put our names out there is beneficial. Networking can be seen as intimidating to today’s university students but once the fear of putting yourself out there is conquered, networking can be a make it or break it point. UNCW students are very fortunate to have events such as business week and communication studies day to further themselves professionally. These contacts can go such a long way. I have heard so many success stories that have come from an initial step of networking.

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April 7, 2010

Ashton Brooks

I think networking is a very important factor in landing a good job. The more people you know the better chances you have due to their knowledge of the particular field and various related companies. I have been trying to network these past two years so that when I am ready to apply for a job, I will have a established relationships with many people already in the corporate world who can help me in getting a good job that pays well. I’m not saying that I am totally relying on them but to have them as references and guides will help along the way.

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April 7, 2010

Melissa Gagliardi

When beginning the search for a job, it is always good to have networking relationships. It is important to network to get your name out there into the community. If you know someone at a company that you are applying for, it can really help get your name and resume to the top of the pile. Those people can tell the boss qualities about you that they won’t get from your resume alone. It’s important to begin networking while you’re still in college, like we are, so that we can go directly into the workforce confidently. With the economy still recovering, it is always good to know someone so that you don’t end up working part time at a fast food chain with a bachelor’s degree.

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April 7, 2010

Nikki Perrotti

Ever since I was little my parents instilled in me the fact that in life and business, “it’s all about who you know.” Not only being a Communication Studies major but a Film major as well, like this blog states, networking is key. Putting your name out there with a positive opinion attached is more helpful than any resume. Let’s face it- this day in age, everyone is the same on paper. We all are above average and exceptional in some way or another. But with networking comes experience; and with experience comes more experience and more knowledge. Networking is a major player when it comes to setting yourself apart from the sea of students trying to get that same internship that all have identical GPAs and credentials as you. When networking people get to know the real you- not just a name on a resume. The experience and people you meet and work alongside with when networking can sometimes be more beneficial than anything offered in a classroom.

I completely agree when Alissa states that everyone benefits from networking!

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April 8, 2010

Jordan McAteer

This was a very good blog that certainly holds true. Networking is one, if not the most, important things one can do when trying to find a job, meet more business contacts, or really just get your name out there. In the beginning of my senior year, knowing how bad the economy was and the downfall of the job market, i simply made myself business cards. This way, anytime that I am out somewhere and met someone (business owner, potential job employer), I would have all my contact information available so that way I’m one step ahead. My parents told me, and find it to be extremely true, that it doesn’t matter what you know, but who you know. Networking is an extremely vital tool that everyone should do to improve their contacts and to really get their name out.

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April 8, 2010

Zack Hamby

Networking IS important, but it is not always easy. We all market ourselves everyday by what we say and how we act, but knowing HOW to adjust the way we market ourselves and WHO we market ourselves to will determine effective networking.

Who we market ourselves to is critical… There are situations that we assert ourselves in meet new people, and like an advertising agency, it is important to know who our audience is. Once we examine our audience we can they best judge how to adjust what we say and do and how we appear.

With time and practice, we can become effective networkers.

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April 8, 2010

Erin Satter

I do agree that networking plays a huge part in the working world, however it is just a head start to success. You stil have to work hard to get far and it is not always a sure deal even though you know people. It does help though if you know someone with connections, although not all people are this lucky. I recently interviewed with ABC in Houston after my father’s best friend got me connections with the lady in charge of internships. However, after she got me in contact with her i still had a ton of preparing and work to do. This was a great help to me since he knew this woman, but you still have to work hard to get far even if you do have connections.

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April 8, 2010

Chelsea Pegram

I have had it in the back of my head for years that in order to be successful in the businessworld, especially when starting out in a career, you MUST “network!!” As graduation is approaching and I’m on the hunt for a job to being my career, I’m finding that networking is vital. During my internships with realtors, I made it a point to introduce myself at Brokers’ Luncheons and when working with clients. You never know who you’ll end up meeting, and who might have a job opportunity for you. This is why, in my opinion, it’s important to be personable and polite. Networking can be fun, and even if you don’t end up with a job with the first or second people you meet, they may introduce you to someone else who has an opportunity for you. Plus, it’s interesting to talk with successful people who know about the businessworld. I would encourage anyone to engage in networking, whether it be for practice or in hopes of finding a job!

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April 8, 2010

Caleb Musser

I definitely agree that networking is integral to getting a job. I have tried to get jobs locally with no connections and have only succeeded once. Since coming to college I’ve worked several places where employers helped me move up the ladder.

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