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Many people are shy about asking for help. As you develop your career, networking is not a bad word or something to avoid.
Even if you are not looking for a job in this moment, you should be building your professional network. The folks in your network are potential sources of all sorts of useful information, including about career paths, professional expectations and more.
Still feel bad about connecting with people and asking for assistance? Then, pay it forward. You can also be a resource for someone else.
LinkedIn is a great way to post a resume and build a professional network. To get started, you can link with your friends, professors, colleagues…anyone you know and don’t mind vouching for in some way. You can also join groups based on organizations to which you belong or other interests, e.g., a professional association, your former employer and your high school or college. LinkedIn gives you a way to ask for advice (e.g., the best type of training for health promotion positions), share opportunities (e.g., social marketing internships offered by your current employer), search for positions (e.g., health education jobs in a particular city) or just stay connected to your professional network.
Here is a blog entry with advice on how to get the most from LinkedIn: 10 Ways to Maximize LinkedIn for Personal Branding.
