How can I help you? Five words, five simple words. “How can I help you?” When you are in job search mode those very well may be the five best words you could ever here (except for maybe, “Congratulations, you got the job!”) But how often do you hear them when you are networking? From my experience, not that often. I’ve found that there are some very special people out there, others that are mildly helpful if it is not much of an inconvenience and, of course, those who ignore. And that’s OK, I guess. After all, we are all so busy. But… If you want to hear more how-can-I-help-you’s here’s a tip: Use it yourself. Try it. Even though you are in job search mode, set that burning issue aside and ask someone, anyone - the recent college grad the unemployed electrician...

If songs were much longer we wouldn’t remember them or we’d lose interest. The format has been tried, tampered with and proven for decades. Let’s use that characteristic in our networking. The biggest sin in networking is boring your audience. How many times have you been asked a simple question, like, “What do you do?” where you launch into a complete history of your employment life? Folks stop listening after about three sentences. More than that and whatever you say is lost. Prepare for any encounter with just exactly the answer to the question you are asked and if you do a good job, your listener will ask you questions; which means you are interacting. Find that hard to do? Try repeating the question in your answer. “I work xxx” or “What do I do?…” Second Sin: Talking AT people is a horrible way to create a ...

When networking comes to mind, most people think of business networking in an environment with other professionals who generally talk about business. However, another atmosphere that’s a great place to build meaningful relationships is the non-profit world. Get Involved With a Charity A great way to give back to the community and meet some great people is to get involved with a charity. Pick a charity that interests you and a cause that you’re passionate about so you will get the most out of your experience. Once you decide which group you would like to help out, contact a board member. You can usually find this information on a group’s Web site. Otherwise, contact the charity and ask who you need to speak to about getting involved. You will find that it’s rather easy to get involved with a charity. These groups are always happy to have volunteers and can use the help. Before ...

With networking, you don’t always have to help people in a significant way like finding them a job or a client. In reality, people also appreciate little acts of kindness such as thanking them and treating them with respect. Pay attention to how you interact with others because you want to make a good impression. Over time, these acts of good behavior will be second nature to you. Make People Feel Good When talking with people, make sure to let them know that you are genuinely interested in the conversation. Give them cues that you’re a good listener by having consistent eye contact, smiling and asking questions. By showing a sign of interest, people will feel that you care and have a good impression of you. In return, most people should also show interest in what you have to say. Make sure to congratulate or compliment others when something positive happens to them. By ...

One of the most important aspects of networking is helping others. Without helping other people, it will be difficult to build sustaining and long-term relationships. Make it a point to continuously offer to help others when you meet them for the first time. You should also reach out to existing people within your own network and offer your assistance. Help Others Connect Over time, your network will continue to grow. This will provide you with a variety of people you can call upon. As you get to know people within your network, you will develop a clear understanding of their background and the types of people who would be beneficial for them to meet. When you meet people for the first time, pay attention to their backgrounds and needs. If you offer to make a connection, then you are showing good will and are on your way to building your relationships. Another great aspect ...

At some point in our lives, most of us have probably volunteered our time for some professional or charitable cause. Volunteering your time is essential for the relationship-building process. At the same time, volunteer work will enhance your credibility, especially if you leverage your existing expertise. Be proactive and reach out to nonprofits, business organizations and community organizers and offer your assistance. Volunteer at a nonprofit One of the most rewarding experiences can be to help a nonprofit that supports a cause near and dear to your heart. We usually gravitate toward a particular nonprofit because a family member or friend was affected by a life-changing situation such as an illness. Before you get involved, it is a good idea to attend some of the fundraisers and other events, so you can get a sense of the people involved and the work that is done. Once you are comfortable with the group, ask ...

We live in a fast-moving world that allows us to interact virtually with almost anyone. Without technology such as e-mail, social networking and blogs, we would have a more difficult time connecting with people on a regular basis. While technology is great for maintaining relationships, it doesn’t replace face-to-face communication. In order to fully connect with people, you need to interact with them in person as well. Connect During Meal Time One easy way to connect with people is to get together during meal time. Since you need to eat, why not make it a productive meal? Invite people to join you for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or coffee. Be flexible around other people’s schedules so you don’t inconvenience them. Meeting with people outside a business setting allows individuals to feel more comfortable. Be proactive and invite people to join you for meals at least once a week. It is ...

With relationship building, it is a given that you need to connect with others for the relationship to work. Figure out what you have in common with people and build from these items. It is impossible to build relationships with everyone you meet. Focus more of your effort on who you connect with the most, which usually includes individuals with common interests, skills or experiences. Pay attention to business and personal commonalities so you can develop more meaningful relationships. Connecting on a deeper level is a must for any relationship to survive over time. Find Business Commonalities Many of the people in your network will be people who you meet professionally. As you get to know these people, you will learn about their business skills and experiences. Take note of what you discover because this information will help you to connect better with certain people. Some of what you learn ...

With relationship building, it is a given that you need to connect with others for the relationship to work. Figure out what you have in common with people and build from these items. Pay attention to business and personal commonalities so you can develop more meaningful relationships. Connecting on a deeper level is a must for any relationship to survive over time. Find Business Commonalities Many of the people in your network will be people who you meet professionally. As you get to know these people, you will learn about their business skills and experiences. Take note of what you discover because this information will help you to connect better and on a deeper level. You will have an instant conversation starter every time and a reason to follow up. At the same time, connecting various people is another important part of relationship building. As long as you take notes and pay attention to detail, ...

Whether you know it or not, you were born with the natural ability to meet people and build relationships. Even if you don’t spend much time proactively building relationships, you should be able to point to numerous examples of relationship building with friends and co-workers. While we are all born with the ability to connect, some of us utilize this skill more than others. If you haven’t utilized your inherent relationship-building skills yet, then it’s time to unleash them onto the world. Don’t Be a Hermit As long as you aren’t a hermit, you interact with people every day such as with the bus driver, a person at the cleaners, a clerk at the local convenience store, clients and co-workers. However, you may not have a solid business network to draw upon. This is OK because it’s never too late to start. Chances are you probably have more people ...