5 Great Sites for Finding Networking Events

5 Great Sites for Finding Networking Events5 Great Sites for Finding Networking Events30Most jobs arent posted on job boards- in fact, up to80 percent of jobs exist in the hidden job market.So how does a person go about getting one of these hidden jobs? Through finding network events and asking for personal referralsThatswhy professional networking is so important. Investing time into meeting people and building relationships will pay just as much as than spending hours scouring job boards and sending out resume upon resume.And thats no secret.In a CareerBliss poll, 95 percent of more than 1,800 respondents said they thought networking was important because its all about who you know.So, chances are, the competition is already networking. Dont fall behind get out there and networkHere are 5 sites for finding networking events nearby1.MeetUp.comThis is not just some online dating site. MeetUp is one of the largest networking resources out there. Click Career Business and see whats o ut there. Dont see what youre looking for? Start your own group2.EventfulLike MeetUp, Eventful has plenty of general interest events. But its also a great resource to find networking opportunities.3.LinkedIn EventsNo rock climbing events or music festivals here LinkedIn Events is all about professional networking. Find your industry and enter your drehort and turn your virtual connections into real-life ones.4.EventBriteJust enter your location and choose the networking or business category and start finding events right away.5.DamesBondDamesBond was ranked among Forbes 10 Best Career Sites for Women. Its a resource hub where women can connect to networking events, educational programs and more. Theres a monthly $10 membership fee for this one.Ground Rules for Successful NetworkingGet your story straightBefore networking, spend some time considering what you want to tell people about yourself. And then condense that message down to a 30 second spiel. Apply the Twitter test if you had just 140 characters to describe yourself professionally, what would you say? But avoid trying to memorize your speech verbatim. Instead, memorize your key points and then build your pitch around those, leaving yourself for improvisation and customization.Focus on whats in it for themIf you want to build real relationships that will benefit you in the long-run, you cant be self-centered. As you network, look for opportunities to do something for another professionals this could be as easy as introducing them to another one of your contacts or letting them know about a job opportunity. Good networking partners will remember your gesture and reciprocate.Dont ask for a jobNetworking is about making an investment that will pay off in the future. A networking event is not a time to beg for a job. However, you should close a networking conversation by asking for something advice, a contact, a business card or permission to connect on LinkedIn.Todays guest post comes from CareerBliss. CareerBliss cares about your career happiness. Thats why we offer a great tools and resources to help you make better-informed career decisions. We believe that if youre happier at work, youll be happier in life Check outcompany reviews,salary information,career adviceand, of course, millions of jobs on CareerBliss and choose happy todayReaders, what resources do you use for finding networking events? Tell us in the comments below