社交关系网—职业生涯的命脉

You've heard that old adage, "It's not what you know, but who you know." But what if you don't know anybody, then what?
你应该听过那句谚语，“重要的不是你知道什么，而是你认识谁。”但是如果你谁都不认识怎么办呢？

First off, let's back up. Why do you need a network? A network can serve many purposes: It can serve as a support group, a source of information, a source of job leads, and as a source of actual business. Your network is your family, your expert sources, your connections to potential employers, and the people with whom you do business.
首先，让我们后退一步想想，你为什么需要社交关系网？其原因是社交关系网可以担当很多作用：它也许是支持团，也可能是信息源，或引领工作的来源，或生意来源。你的社交关系网是你的家庭，你专业知识的来源，你与潜在上司的连接渠道，也是你与商业伙伴的沟通渠道。

Now, you're assuming you don't know anyone professional. Are you sure about that? Even if you're new to the working world, you already know many people who can help you get a good start.
现在的你认为自己并不认识任何专业人士。真的是这样吗？即使你在业界是个新人，你也已经认识了不少可以帮助你有个好的开端的人了。

 

Look at People You Know 看看你认识的人

* Your parents and relatives 你的父母和亲戚

They might not be able to help you directly (nepotism is a terrible way to start a career), but they might know people who can help you. Ask for introductions.
他们也许不能直接帮你（由裙带关系开始的事业是个大灾难），但是他们也许认识可以帮你的人。让他们为你引荐。

* Your neighbors 你的邻居
 You've grown up next to these people for years, and that kindly Mr. Rogers down the street could help you get into television if you talk to him.
这些年来，他们是看着你长大的，所以如果你开口的话，也许街上和蔼可亲的罗格先生可以引荐你进电台工作。

* Your teachers and professors 你的老师和教授

Educators get besieged by requests for recommendations, but if you have a good relationship with any of them, build upon it. Also, think about guest speakers or lecturers you may have heard while you were in school. Write them and see if they write back.
很多人都会找老师推荐工作，如果你和老师的关系好的话，就可以指望下他们。另外，也可以给你在学校听他们讲课的讲师和特邀发言者写信，看他们是否回函。

* Old bosses from part-time jobs 以前兼职工作的上司
If you worked a dead-end job in high-school or college, you may be surprised to find out how and where your old boss has moved on. Keep in touch.
你高中或者大学做兼职的那家公司当时倒闭了，可你也许会惊奇的发现你的老上司已经奇迹般的东山再起了。所以和他要保持联系。

* The people you interview with 曾经面试过你的人

Even if you don't get the job， keep in touch. They might think of you later.
即使你当时没得到工作，也要和他们保持联系，说不定哪天他们就会想起你来。

* Your friends getting into the job market 你已经参加工作的朋友

Now is the time to get in touch and turn those friendships into a professional network. As they climb up the ladder, you'll both find opportunities to help each other.
现在是时候联系下了，将以前的友谊发展为专业的社交关系。当他们成为你社交网中的一部分时，你们双方都会发现这对彼此来说都是个很好的机会。

 

Generating Professional Contacts 创造社交关系

You can also generate new professional contacts online and in your community. If you read about someone who sounds interesting, reach out and make contact. Show that you've got a good mind and a good personality. You never know where that will go.
你也可以在线上或者团体内发展新的社交关系。一旦你得知谁有兴趣的话，就马上和他们联系。要向他们展示你良好的心态和性格，因为你永远不知道它们会有什么影响。

The real work begins once you get started in the job force. The best professional contacts will probably be developed in the context of your job. Maintain good records of who you meet, the context in which you met them, and what they do. Find reasons to keep in touch with the best of them. Join a professional social networking site like LinkedIn to help maintain your network, and maybe even to show it off.
一旦你加入一个工作团队后真正的工作就开始了。最好的社交关系是在工作领域内发展起来的。将你见过的人，与他们见面的事情，以及他们的职业做成一份记录保存下来。并找到你和他们保持联系的最佳理由。同时，加入专业社交网站也可以维持你的社交圈，也许你还可以用来炫耀下。

Throughout your professional life, your network will serve different purposes. It will also change over time -- as it builds up, becomes refined , and sometimes breaks down. But it likely will be the lifeblood of your career.
在你整个职业生涯中，你的社交关系网将会起到不同的作用。当然，随着时间的推移，它也会有所改变，在其建立之后，也许会变得更好，也许会破裂。但不管怎样，它可能将是你整个事业的命脉。