Networking and Success

Through networking, health professionals can offer each other assistance and support while establishing long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.  Many job opportunities are not advertised but rather, passed by word-of-mouth among professionals.  When employers are searching for candidates to fill a position, they often rely on their own networks of professionals who can suggest someone they believe would be appropriate for the job.  The more people in your network and the more networks you belong to, the better the chances of being identified as that someone.  It is often said that who you know is more important than what you know.  The wider your network is, the more people there are who know of your skills, initiative, reputation, and so on, the more successful you will be in attaining your career goals.

YFS (Young, Fabulous & Self-Employed) Magazine gives 5 simple tips to successfully build a strong professional network.  These include:

1. Learn their needs first – find out what you can do for them and hope you get the same in return
2. Network in and out of your industry – branch out from your usual circle because word of mouth and referrals area a big part of networking
3. Focus on helping – start out being a giver, not a taker
4. Follow-up with an email or phone call – be proactive in creating a deeper relationship with them
5. Quality not quantity – having a strong network is more effective than a huge network

Students can benefit from networking by using networks to meet leaders in the field.  This is a great first step for obtaining a job and establishing yourself as a healthcare professional.  Here are some examples of great networking sites to get you started: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.

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By: Stacey Wolfe

MA Instructor at CCC since February, 2007.  Nationally certified as a CMA (AAMA), AHA BLS CPR Instructor and NCCT CPI.  Professional experience in emergency and cardiology.  Currently Co-Department Head of the Medical Assisting Program.

Want to learn more about maintaining or achieving health, teaching others about health and working in a career that uses this knowledge?  Contact Community Care College and ask about our Medical Assistant program.  We educate and prepare you to work in the fast growing professional field of Medical Assisting.  After completing our program you are also qualified to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ national certification exam to become a CMA (AAMA), which is recognized in all fifty states!