Dennis Healy ⋅ Fairfield , CT General Electric ⋅ 15 years experience

Elise, rather than confining yourself solely to attending networking events, I would reach out individually to people whom you are seeking to network with and meet with them 1:1 (either in person or on phone) at times that work for your schedule. Using resources like this site can help you do that.

Scott Lackey ⋅ New York , NY Jugular ⋅ 25 years experience

Hi Elise:

Many colleges and universities now offer networking parties for graduates. If appropriate, it's a terrific opportunity since many grads are favorably predisposed to hiring from their alma mater.

As a further follow up on the two Linkedin answers above, it's also a good idea to join and actively participate in a small number of groups in your field of interest. That will help drive awareness of you in the specific industry. If you engage in conversations, that can also open up the opportunity to discuss jobs and job advice. Do that with a fair degree of discretion and only after you've made contributions on the group's topics. In other words, don't spam members of the group about a job search.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

Best,
Scott

Rashid Hill, MPM ⋅ San Diego , CA United States Navy ⋅ 33 years experience

Elise, great replies already. For someone with a hectic schedule looking to network or essentially find some alternative ways to grow personally, professionally and/or financially. I can tell you one solid point that you must handle above anything else. It took a lot of discipline for me to take care of my family (with a 2 year old) and commit to quality time with them and having a goal of completing the research and writing of my first book. It takes a lot of organizing to write it, get it published, and then get out and promote it. So yes, I know a bit about hectic with quality time for family.

Here is the essential point: First you must sit down and brainstorm what your ultimate outcome is. What is it that you want to achieve with the networking? Then you must define the purpose for creating any amount time to attain this outcome. Why do you feel it necessary to spend time away from your family in the short term to benefit them in the long term?
And lastly, you must create a detailed plan on how you will go about achieving your ultimate goal. This has to be done before you start or you will find many excuses to leave your goals unfulfilled.
Let's recap, make time to sit down and brainstorm each phase of your action plan. Define your WHAT in clear an descriptive terms. Create the purpose and write it down in the most compelling and sensory language you can develop to pull you without stopping toward that goal. Then the most critical point, map out your detailed massive action plan so you will know when you have achieved some goal along the way enroute to your ultimate goal.

For more info you can reach out to me.

Rashid Hill

Monish Punjabi ⋅ Stamford , CT General Electric ⋅ 1 years experience

I would second Linkedin as a viable option to network at your leisure. Its really is convinient and a great way to network with people globally. It also has job openings that you can look into.

Mark Bernard ⋅ Elmira , OR General Electric ⋅ 20 years experience

Linked In can be a usefull tool if used properly. It affords you the ability to network at your convienience. Feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss further.

Kristine Kinzle ⋅ Scottsdale , AZ General Electric ⋅ 20 years experience

Hi Elise,
I have always had the same challenge you have. I work long hours and want to spend every free minute with my chilidren. My first suggestion is to let go of the guilt -- networking events are not for everyone. Your priorities are in the right place! My second suggestion is to do your networking while you are at work. Very short conversations with managers outside your department are important. Don't be a "gabber," but be a productive career-minded worker during work hours, which includes conversations with others about your future. Finally, don't forget about other parents you meet through your children. Over half of my opportunities came when another mother told me about a job opportunity the sounded like a good fit for me. My current job started with a good word from a fellow mother, and I have had a wonderful 13 year career run. People who genuinely like and respect you will do far more to help you succeed than a networking event will.