Get out. Make friends. Meet people in NJ.

Networking Opportunities

Hello everyone,

So I went to the Multi-Chamber thing in Wayne and I have tried other different things as far as attending networking events that have gotten cancelled and trying to talk with people about their work at happy hours or whatever. I am wondering what the opinion is for people in the area about having networking events. As I said I know many of them end up getting cancelled, I am just trying to figure out why we can't have networking and speed dating or something like that.

Best,

Jim

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Redmond on December 5, 2011 at 5:30pm

You guys are welcome to come check out my networking group! Our next meeting is next Tuesday at 7am at Roycebrook Country Club in Hillsborough. Let me know if you plan to attend so I can keep my eye out for you... and bring lots of business cards!

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Permalink Reply by Kristan on December 5, 2011 at 6:01pm

The future of my job is very uncertain right now and I'd love to see more networking events. I couldn't make the recent event in Wayne. It can be awkward to talk details of my professional goals at a happy hour where I have more of a socializing mindset.

I'll keep my eyes open for events. Maybe a smaller dinner where people can really talk would work, similar to the Girl's Night Out events on here.

-Kristan

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Permalink Reply by Jim on December 8, 2011 at 2:42pm

Jennifer,

That sounds great, I may be willing to attend. What do you do for a living?

Kristan,

What do you do for a living? Let me know if you would like to meet up and talk about career goals and something like that for lunch or something.

Best,

Jim

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Permalink Reply by Nicole on December 9, 2011 at 12:45pm

In terms of job networking events, the best place to find them is Alex Freund's site landingexpert.com. Some of the networking groups I hear about the most are Careers in Transition in Short Hills and The Breakfast Club in East Brunswick.

I know that the networking event in New Brunswick got canceled due to lack of attendees, so I guess if you want those types of events to work the best thing to do is get friends to go with you.

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Permalink Reply by Jef on December 9, 2011 at 5:35pm

Just to throw in my 2 cents, one of the problems with networking events is that there are too many people trying to sell and not enough people looking to build relationships. Of course, there is a difference between networking events and networking groups. While networking events can be good, using this forum, this group and other groups works well. You need to build relationships and not just hand out a bunch of business cards. I find politics works quite well.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Redmond on December 12, 2011 at 9:04pm

I'm a (W)Holistic Chiropractor. :) You're always welcome!

Jef, I agree with you... that's why it's important to find a good group with a "Giver's Gain" attitude! :.)

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Permalink Reply by Josephine on December 17, 2011 at 5:16pm

My networking group is hosting an event on January 12th at the Colonial Club in Princeton, NJ. It starts at 7am and ends at 8:30am. We definitely have the "Giver's Gain" attitude. If interested, email me at licataj@optonline.net for more details.

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Permalink Reply by Jim on December 19, 2011 at 10:48am

If you are talking about BNI, I am not really interested in that. I am looking for a more informal setting where maybe its a business card exchange but you get to know more about the person. I was in a BNI and had a poor experience.

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Permalink Reply by Josephine on December 19, 2011 at 4:03pm

Yes, I am talking about BNI. I wasn't interested in it at first but it has helped me grow as a person and as a business owner. Sorry that you had a poor experience with BNI. Maybe that particular chapter wasn't a right fit for you. I've gotten to know my members really well over the past few months. We've become like family now. I don't think a business card exchange will get you more business. People tend to do business with people that they develop some type of relationship with.

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Permalink Reply by Jim on January 6, 2012 at 11:10am

I agree, I think that since we are all young, like-minded individuals, it would be smart for us to meet in some capacity and start to form that relationship. I know my industry is grown and built on trust and I am looking to get out and meet new people and just feel as though some of the NJYP events are too, pick-up related, if you will.