Top 5 Places to Network At Work
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When people hear the word networking, they often think of going to events and joining association. But just as important (if not more important) is networking at work.
Work networking is different though and often happens in weird places. Here’s my 5 best places to network at your agency
1) Local Starbucks – Ahh…your local Starbucks is filled with people just like you. If you hit it during rush time, you are bound to see a colleague. A great way to catch up, see how they are doing, and hear about their project.
2) Cafeteria – Not all gov’t agencies have them but the ones that do…are perfect for networking. It’s kind of a glorified high school with different cliques but try to sit at different tables and meet lots of groups.
3) CFC – Combined Federal Campaign is the federal government’s annual charity drive. You know the time when there are countless candy drives, coin wars, and more. Volunteering for CFC is a great way to interact with people outside your division.
4) Retirement and Going-away Parties – By celebrating someone else’s departure is a good time to connect with those still staying there. The best retirement and going-away parties get great turnouts across lots of departments. Have a slice of cake and diet coke and network.
5) Elevator – The simplest, most used, and most effective…is the elevator ride. I don’t know how often the elevator was useful for me when I ran into someone I hadn’t seen, needed help from on a project, or met for the first time.
What’s your top 5 work places to network?
Also here are some other top 5's of mine:
- Top 5: Best Places to Have a Government Job
- Top 5: Worst Places to Have a Government Job
- Top 5: Tips on Teleworking
- Top 5: Gov't Shows That Should Exist
- Top 5: Worst Things To Say in A Meeting
- Top 5: Ways To Handle A Broing Meeting
- Top 5: Signs You Need A New Job
Comment
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Comment by Claudia Vandermilt on May 6, 2011 at 5:11pm -
Need a bit of help getting into the spirit of networking? Effective business networking.
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Comment by GovLoop on July 31, 2010 at 11:56am -
Bill - Totally agree on candy jar.
Nichole - What worked best with CFC to actually raise money? Fish fry vs hot dog vs silent, etc
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Comment by Nichole Henley on July 31, 2010 at 7:21am -
Totally agree with the CFC item #3!! When I volunteered two years ago, I chose to be our command's lead and I helped to arrange and implement fish fries, hot dog sales, white elephants, silent auctions, etc. You name it, I did it! And the result? (other than raising money for charity)--- I have people come up to me out of nowhere who have moved on out of that command saying "hey! I know you! You did a great job with CFC! What are you doing now?" It's awesome. Plus, I got to serve people food....pleasure!!!! :P
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Comment by Bill Brantley on July 30, 2010 at 8:18pm -
Another tip that I read somewhere - keep a candy jar on your desk and keep it full. If they want the Butterfinger, then they are going to have to talk to you.
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Comment by Bill Brantley on July 30, 2010 at 8:17pm
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@Terry and @Tricia - Networking in the restroom?! Is nothing sacred? :-)
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Comment by Terrence (Terry) Hill on July 30, 2010 at 6:41pm
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I agree with the Restroom for networking, although it's only good for short conversations. Others include:
1. Volunteer Service Events, Especially on Saturdays
2. Happy Hours, Especially with Younger Set
3. Fitness Center, Especailly at Lunchtime
4. Before and After Meetings
5. On Social Networks Like GovLoop and LinkedIn
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Comment by Tricia on July 30, 2010 at 5:11pm
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1. breakroom
2. designated smoking area - these employees seem to know what's going on outside their business unit/division unlike non-smokers who's circle remains much smaller
3. restroom - but is this just a female thing??
4. front reception/lobby area
5. parking lot/public transporation stop!
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Comment by Bill Brantley on July 30, 2010 at 4:01pm
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@GovLoop - Just as good as lunch is meeting someplace for breakfast. I seem to have better networking success with a good breakfast meeting than lunch.
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Comment by Ed Albetski on July 30, 2010 at 2:55pm -
Really have to agree with number 4.
Employees seem to come in waves and I've noticed recently that they leave in waves too. We've had three retirements here just this week. And at a division's chief's retirement party I ended up having a great discussion with two folks from different areas I hadn't really chatted with in years. This was an in-house cake & speeches no-liquor thing but as well as saying goodbye to a friend, the conversation was well worth my attendance.
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Comment by GovLoop on July 30, 2010 at 2:39pm
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Yes...nothing better than lunch
Like the conference call idea...
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