How do you 'Network'

I have always found networking a very challenging thing to do successfully. In some ways, it may be getting even more difficult with so much of our lives now dependent on the internet and networking sites. I think there is still a lot to be said for just picking up the phone or arriving in person, but as you mention people are extremely busy and don't necessarily have the time for you.

Do you think networking sites such as LinkedIn or Facebook offer any real scope for successful networking? In a today's society giving people the oppurtunity to respond on their terms may be beneficial. However, the fear obviously is that they can ignore you with greater ease!

So the real challange for anyone fairly new to the industry is to actually get out there and meet as many people as possible. This is pretty difficult for low hours pilots who might be struggling to get work and have few or no contacts. Here you need to think a bit differently to try and meet people. Methods I have come up with include, joining a flying club as you never know who the other members may be, and obviously this has the added benefit of you being able to do some flying! Another option is to join groups such as BALPA, The Royal Aeronautical Soceity or AOPA (to name a few) and attend some of their organised events. Any other suggestions for places you can go to meet members of the aviation industy?

I have had some backfires with trying to 'Network'.

I drove all the way to Bristol for a 'pop in for a chat on Tuesday' informal interview with a CFI. I drove 3 hours just to see this guy about an AFI job and when I arrived I was told he had just taken off on an examination flight. I waited another 3 hours for him to return and all he said was, "Naaaa don't really need another AFI, didn't come far did you?" I think he must have heard my screams as I drove out of the car park. Another day wasted.

I didn't learn as I did the same 'pop in for a chat' interview in Norfolk. I drove for 6 hours this time. Things were very different, I was taken on as an AFI and ended up doing lots of other jobs. I was a fireman, ATC, refueller, barman, waiter, and general airport dogs body. This job did lead on to another AFI job in Cambridge and this gave me twin flying and then a jet rating. So, Networking does work but is takes time and can be soul destroying.

I think it has came to 'who you know, not what you know nowadays' and 'Networking' has given me alot of help regarding flight training and trying to find that first job. Funny enough im currently in Miami and met a captain who works with my father, next thing I know the chief pilot comes down from his hotel room (I didnt know he was the CP till I was told after he left) and his first sentence to me was "I have seen you some where before" after a 5 second pause he remembered seeing my CV I sent him about 2 weeks back. When he left after asking for my Cv again, I was told he basically gave me a mini interview and from his reaction he likes me.
So even if i dont get the job anytime soon I have made another good contact and met him on a personal level so he knows what im like instead of reading it off my CV. So I think the likes of facebook and meeting people in person is a good way of 'Networking' and it just depends on how good you are at doing it.

"How do you 'Network'" - As I'm not currently flying, very badly :((

The contacts you make don't always have to be in or have links to high positions. You never know where others careers will take them, and a friend/contact from school, university or training may become mutually beneficial in the future.

Another good place to try and find some contacts is through family friends and connections. Its amazing who people know, and contacts such as this can give great advice or friendly encouragement.

max

Bad idea. He'll like it, then HE'LL start stalking YOU. Your underwear will go missing from the washing line, there'll be late night phone calls with heavy breathing, scratches down the side of your car.........best stay away.

Here is an article about issues with social networking sites and possible ways you can utilise them to your advantage, hopefully to get a new job or opportunity.

http://www.flightcrewfinder.com/article/your-online-persona-friend-or-foe

I think this just shows the power of networking and sites like this can help I guess. I am now inspired to start blogging myself!