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Effective Networking

Laura Labovich

The term networking is defined as the process of “cultivat[ing] people who can be helpful to one professionally, especially in finding employment or moving to a higher position” (dictionary.com), as well as “the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business” (Merriam-Webster). Not surprisingly, these are the very definitions that are the most unnatural and harmful for those who seek to engage in networking as a practice for their job search. Cultivating is for crops, not for people.

But networking is a necessary part of doing business, and when done correctly there’s nothing manipulative about it. Effective networking is not about business; it is simply part of the human experience. We ...

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