Networking Organization for Women

Here's a networking group just for woman in Bucks County.  They have three types of memberships:

• Entrepreneur Connection (for women business owners and professionals)
• Career Connection (for women re-entering the professional workforce or in career transition)
• Community Connection (for women who serve on non-profit boards)

There is a fee to join.  Visit their website for rates.  Remember that your job search expenses are tax deductible. I would go to one of their free events first, if you can, before joining to see if you think the group will be helpful.  I've been to several networking groups lately and they seem helpful if you have a small business but if you're looking for a job with a big company, I'm not sure how helpful they are.  Any thoughts?

FREE Bucks County Job Fair Today!

County to hold career and opportunities expo | Freelance and Blogger Jobs World

This is a little late, but if you're looking for a job in Bucks county and are on your computer like me, you need to attend! Lots of great workshops and resources. Also it's a chance to network. Take advantage of free opportunities when they come along. I'm always reading that in-person networking is the best way to get a job these days, so check it out!

QBNG - Quakertown Business Network Group - A great place to network and grow your business.

Local networking group.  Small businesses and even people looking for work should check them out.  Networking is one of the tools you must use if you hope to get a job in today's tight job market.  Also, if you're considering starting your own business, it's a good place to learn from other small businesses how to go about it.
Visit their website to learn about a FREE business networking event happening tomorrow at the Quakertown High School!

QBNG - Quakertown Business Network Group - A great place to network and grow your business.

Networking: put it on your to-do list, then do it!

Even the smallest of towns has a small business networking group or two or three.  Now, Q-town is not the smallest of towns but it does have two active networking groups that I know of: the Quakertown Business Networking Group and BNI, Quakertown branch.  Each group has it own rules and regulations (mainly a big price difference!)

For more information, meeting dates and times, upcoming events, costs, etc. visit http://www.qbng.org/ and http://www.bnidvr.com/cgi-bin/viewchapter.cgi?chapter_id=36

NOTE:  A small business Expo and business card exchange sponsored by the Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce is coming up on May 17th at the Quakertown High School.  You'll find details at http://www.ubcc.org/

If you are looking for a job, it's imperative to network.  Most statistics confirm that the majority of jobs are not listed on job boards and are filled through referrals.  They will also help to motivate you and keep your spirits up.  So you owe it to yourself to check out the local networking group in your area. Pick the right one for you and participate!  You never know if the next person you speak to has a lead for the job of your dreams!

You can also go onto the internet and do a search for "networking", go onto LinkedIn, etc.  By the way, if you're not on LinkedIn and you're looking for work or own a business...do it today

I have found potential freelance work through these groups. This might be another way for some people to make some money while unemployed or underemployed.

Good luck to everyone with a small business or those looking for employment and don't forget to network!

Does networking really help you get a job?

I have not been able to find solid research on the internet to prove that "networking" is the best way to find a job. If there are some, I'd like to see them.  I have seen some anecdotal information and personal accounts of people using networking to get every job they ever had.  I personally have had only some success in getting "possible" freelance work from my networking activities...not real job offers.

My "insight" is actually more of a question today.  Does ones' personality affect ones' ability to network effectively?  I believe there are born sales people.  I would think these are the most effective networkers. Anyone who doesn't naturally do these things is probably not going to do well in today's job market...unless they really push themselves.

This leads me to suggest that being in the dire situation of not having a job....maybe this is the first time you've been unemployed in your lifetime...forces a change in your personality.  The "survival" factor is strong and if it breeds a new generation of aggressive, take-charge individuals, maybe that's good for everyone in the long run.

In the short term, it's tough to know that your "best" isn't "good enough".  Tough life lessons for many of us to have to learn...and many of us learning it later in life.  Have you learned this lesson?  What have you done about it?  I guess your answer would depend on whether or not you have a job.