The Networking Survival Guide: Get the Success You Want by Tapping Into the People You Know

by Diane Darling

In today's dwindling job markets, people who rely on want ads and headhunters succeed about 5 percent of the time. But those who have mastered the art of networking find new positions nearly 66 percent of the time. Writing for job seekers and career builders alike, networking superstar Diane Darling shows how to cultivate a rich network of professional contacts and use it to find success.

Genres: Business, Professional Development, Leadership, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[James Pritchert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard about it in a review on National Public Radio. After I read it, I spoke on the phone with author about a possible speaking engagement but I never completed putting this action together. Perhaps I will try again in a anew organization. I liked the book fairly well and I think it is definitely useful if you are moving up.

[Meera Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical guide to creating, sustaining, and benefiting from a network, this non-fiction book by Diane Darling is one of the quickest introductions to networking backed by anecdotes and social principles.

What surprised me the most about reading The Networking Survival Guide is how succinct the content is.

There’s no fluff, no beating around the bushes. The author gets to the point quickly. In fact, most of the sections are full of bullet points.

While I hadn’t given networking much thought prior to this, I picked up the audiobook on Storytel to see how it could improve my professional life. And I must say that Diane Darling shares some great advice.

There were a couple of chapters that I felt warranted a bit more of an explanation. And some that had information which may no longer be as relevant in today’s professional sphere. But to be fair, I read the 2nd edition of the book which was published a few years ago.

Some topics that you can expect to read about are conducting network inventories, mannerisms, providing value to your connections, seeking referrals, navigating events, creating networking assets/ collaterals, and so on.

I’d say this was a great first book to read about networking.

I most definitely intend to get an ebook copy, so I can make notes and re-read this a bunch of times, and implement the actionable tips Diane Darling shares.

[James Burton]

Great book.

[Kevin Dumcum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diane Darling, Founder and CEO of Effective Networking, Inc., wrote "The Networking Survival Guide" for publication in 2003, before the advent of Twitter, LinkedIn, and social media as we know it. Which is why I like and recommend the book, because it is old-school.

Darling teaches, and pre-supposes, that the purpose of networking is to develop, strengthen, and maintain real one-on-one relationships with real people; ideally face-to-face, but when that is not practical, then one-on-one by phone and/or email.

Darling teaches:
- Have a plan (know what you want to accomplish when attending a networking event)
- Work your plan (prepare, prepare, prepare - leave nothing to chance)
- What to do, and what to avoid, at a networking event
- The all-important follow-up to maintain your network
- Where to network (networking events, job fairs, anywhere there is a second person!)
- How to network when you don’t feel like networking

There is a brief discussion, which Darling ultimately dismisses, about using Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs; anyone remember the Palm Pilot?). Otherwise, everything in the book is face-to-face, handshakes (dry palms), business cards, and if necessary, telephone. Old School.

Oddly, Darling felt compelled to include a chapter (two paragraphs) warning against "evil networks," such as al Qaeda and religious cults. This seemed very out of place in a business book.

It’s not as if Darling doesn’t understand LinkedIn. There is a Second Edition, published in 2010, with 40+ additional pages. I haven’t read this edition, I suspect there is at least a chapter talking about social media. Still, I suspect that Darling agrees with me: Social Media, including LinkedIn, is a tool to help you manage your network, and is not networking in and of itself.

[Heather]

I really appreciated her approach to networking. She views it as relationship building, and encourages the reader to focus on how you can help the other person, not what you can get out of the other person. Actually, her principles were very helpful for support-raising. Definitely, not your traditional "go get them and get rich" networking book.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had the pleasure of attending a seminar by Dianne Darling, where I purchased her book.

She's a wonderfully skilled networker that offers practical advice on how to improve your own networking skills.

[Avienda_atx · Rating 1 out of 5]

boooring

[BeyondDL · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some tips here that may not have been thought of before but nothing in particular about this book that made it stand out for me.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

She takes. Similar approach to that of Keith Ferrazzi but this book is more of a How To. I honestly want to add this to my library.