Networking in the workplace (apply, reputation, jobs, company)

[BingCherry]

Where do you draw the line between all the socialization, getting involved in the drama/gossip and "networking"?

I'm not anti-social, but most people in the workplace are not people I would ever be friends with on the outside. It's not because I don't give them a chance, it's because I am perceptive and smell the BS from a mile away and 99% of the time I am right and was wise to avoid most of those people.

People always say networking at work is important, but where do you draw the line?

Very rarely have I been in a work environment where socialization was "OK" and networking would have been a smart idea...very rarely. In fact, for the most part, I've never seen any of that pay of for anyone. Has it? Sure, but more often than not it seems not to pay off and, in fact, just backfire.

[lifeexplorer]

The only real networking you need to do is with your direct supervisor and people who have close ties with your supervisor. The rest of people, you can care less. :-)

[Currency Pair Crocodile]

Never accepted Linked In, Facebook requests from co-workers. Always turned it down. But accepted them after I moved to a new job

[hnsq]

I am friendly with anyone I meet (not only in my office, but outside of work as well). I try to go out of my way to get to know people as people. Networking doesn't work if you fake it. You have to actually be interested in other people (or be decent at faking it), because BS does show. I have never gotten a job by using a resume in my life. I have always gotten jobs purely through people I have met by networking. As an example, there is a particular company I am interested in working for. I ran into a manager of that group once and talked to him for a few minutes. Every time I was in the area, I called him and caught up for a few minutes (coffee/lunch/drinks/etc). Just a month ago, I ran into him again and he told me about a job that he has opening that I should apply for. As soon as it formally becomes open, I will apply and get the job. I am offered jobs in that way 3-4 times/year.

To be successful at networking, you have to actually care about other people, and not just want to use them as a means to an end (or at least study up on how to act like a genuine person).

[peet111]

It generally wouldn't be done with your immeditate co-workers while you were there.
Maybe a few departments away if you can establish mutual interests.
Not really based on social situations since it isn't the same type of interaction.
Reputation and perception is more important for internal "progress."
When you want outside, you need to network in that direction.

[Tober138]

Originally Posted by Antlered Chamataka

Never accepted Linked In, Facebook requests from co-workers. Always turned it down. But accepted them after I moved to a new job

Agreed on the latter. Heck, in a small office, a lot of us are fairly tight with one another - we can joke around, hang out on occasion, etc. - but we all stay off of one anothers' FB pages. I never look to have current or former co-workers or clients as FB friends (and having my FB page under a pseudonym keeps requests away to begin with).

LinkedIn is different (and we are all "contacts" with each other on there)...it is specifically for professional online "networking" - one doesn't post pics from their last party on there....there's no chatting or wall posts. We have our CVs posted and that's about it.

I see no reason to not have co-workers as friends on LinkedIn, unless you are specifically stating out in the open on there that you are looking for a new job.