Why do I mention Puig's book? The Argentine writer pointed out an important aspect of our lives: narration which blends into the melting pot of other sounds. In a word, postmodernism!

Today we can actually write about a postmodern work space immersed in the Internet magma. Starting our first job, all our lives we will continue weaving the same story (of our post, competence, constantly expanded knowledge) with the same thread - contacts.

The net of professional contacts, which we extend every day at work, is a precious tool that undoubtedly allows us to move smoothly around the job market, and, above all, shows our professional activity as well as the fact that we take responsibility for ourselves.

That's why - before you slam the door behind you, leaving YET ANOTHER EMPLOYER - reconsider whether "burning your bridges" really pays off. In today's world a piece of information (especially the one related to work) is only a product.

The postmodernist mosaic which comprises of all employees from all over the world is currently called networking - a word that many simply paraphrase as "using people".

Networking has transformed the communication act itself: it doesn't really matter what you know (and how you express that), but who you know (and so, who you sell the information to). This peculiar network of meanings has created many efficient tools which allow constant reproduction of information.

Business breakfast, conferences, debates - what lurks behind the scenes is not solely a word, but the need for contact, for maintaining relations, weaving a thread and maintaining access to classified information.

Meeting one important person (or rather his or her professional position) may result in joint realization of an interesting project, impressive media campaign, getting an interesting job or success for the company.

When you are entering the job market, networking is significant for your future. A few years ago the US Department of Labor examined the American job market. The results were the following... Only 24% of American society (both employers and employees) approached the job recruitment process in a traditional way (i.e. either by sending applications or by replying to them). Almost half of the respondents admitted that, when looking for a job, they rely on the help of friends and family.

Thus, networking is becoming the other face of HR and executive search. Leading to the establishment of more and more Internet portals, it gains new crowds of advocates. In this case your CV is not that important - what really matters is who you know and what precious information you can provide to your employer. To provide always means here: to sell!

Jakub Jański
Kariera.com.pl