You’re going to have to do a lot of it if you plan on transitioning into a new career, so let’s just get it out of the way: Networking is a great concept with a horrible, horrible name. It sounds like a gauche and greedy pastime when in fact networking is just a wonky synonym for Charming the Pants Off People. If you’re looking to make a radical or not-so-radical career shift, you should start networking right now so that you get to know as many people as possible in the field where you want to be. This, like all the tough situations in life, will require some brainstorming.


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• Has "schmoozing" worked for you in your career? How did it help you get a job?
• Add tips on how to network effectively during a career transition.
• How do you schmooze if you're shy?

Let’s say you’re interested in leaving behind your life as a middle-school teacher and really want a job in the arts. You could cold-call the curator of a local museum and ask for an informational interview, but you might have more success if you introduce yourself to the curator at a low-key event hosted by the museum and make a good impression while you’re there. Once the curator begins to recognize you as a gallery regular, then you can call to ask for a meeting, mentioning where you met and what you talked about.

If you are really serious about your career change, get on all the mailing lists of every related group or organization in the area and show up for all their events. Do something for them before expecting them to make a concerted effort to help you. Offer to organize events and be certain to volunteer at them. A cheerful and capable volunteer will always make more of an impression than a resume, or even the schmoozer who introduces herself to the curator. A consistent volunteer will already be able to add the museum’s name to her resume and will have honest contacts there. Bear in mind that hiring decisions are often made by mid-level employees, not the head honcho, so make nice with everyone, even the plebes running the coat check with you.

Tips on How to Schmooze

When you meet people, don’t ever ask for a job. It’s rude. Don’t make, “And what do you do?” your opening question, either. That’s rude too. Instead, aim to really make their acquaintance. Tell them what you admire about them and their work. Ask questions about their interests, and their relationship to whatever event the two of you are attending. Do not go on about yourself, your accomplishments, or your haircut, for lord’s sake. You have all day long to be self-absorbed. This is your opportunity to charm the pants off someone who knows about a working world you want to penetrate.

If you can stay relaxed throughout this brief conversation, your common interests and enthusiasm will keep it from having a smarmy networking edge, and you won’t have to work as hard to keep it moving. It all boils down to this: People like people who ask questions. And if you get people to talk about themselves, they will like you more. I’m not going to give you any hard-and-fast rules about being professional because sometimes being charming has more to do with being playful than being professional. And oftentimes being professional after hours is boring. So use your best judgment.

In general, it’s best to meet people under the least contrived circumstances possible, like a PTA meeting or a concert. It’s much more difficult to make inroads at career fairs where you’re likely to be competing for attention with a lot of other job seekers.