Includes index.

Introduction: Building a Smarter Network: It's time to break up with our old ideas about networking -- Section One. Why You Need to Network, Even If You're Not Job-Hunting: A Smarter Way to Network : The right network can have a huge impact on your success / by Rob Cross and Robert J. Thomas -- Learn to Love Networking : You can get past the "I hate networking" feeling / by Francesca Gino, Maryam Kouchaki, and Tiziana Casciaro -- How Leaders Create and Use Networks : You need operational, personal, and strategic networks / by Herminia Ibarra and Mark Hunter -- How to Create Your Own Career Luck : It's all about nurturing serendipity / by Christian Busch -- Section Two. Great First Impressions: Eight Questions to Ask Someone Other Than "What Do You Do?" : Start a more interesting conversation / by David Burkus -- The Right Way to Brag About Yourself : And why humblebragging backfires / by Francesca Gino -- Three Ways to Pitch Yourself in 30 Seconds : Your elevator pitch is just as important once you have the job / by Jodi Glickman -- How to Perfect an Elevator Pitch About Yourself : And see the whole world as an elevator / by Daisy Dowling -- Section Three. Connecting at Conferences and Events: How to Network Better at Conferences : Do it on your own terms / by Rebecca Knight -- Tips for Navigating a Room Full of Strangers : First, look for islands / by Amantha Imber -- How to Plan Your Own Networking Event : Whether in-person or virtual / by Dorie Clark -- Section Four. Networking to Land a Great Job: How to Get the Most out of an Informational Interview : Think like a journalist / by Rebecca Knight -- How to Reach Out to a Recruiter : You don't need to wait for them to come to you / by Marlo Lyons -- How to Find a Great Job Using the Strength of Your Weak Ties : Even in a downturn / by Claudio Fernández-Aráoz -- Section Five. Networking to Do Your Job Better: The Best Way to Network in a New Job : Broad outreach isn't better / by Rob Cross and Peter Grey -- Start Networking with People Outside Your Industry : How to expand your professional circle / by Dorie Clark -- Make Yourself Sponsor-Worthy : Performance alone won't get you the support you need / by Sylvia Ann Hewlett -- How to Diversify Your Professional Network : Varied networks lead to more creative ideas / by Amy Nauiokas -- Section Six. Remote, Virtual, and Social Media Networking: How to Tell Your Story on LinkedIn : Know your audience and connect the dots for them / by Alex Cooley -- What to Say When You're Reaching Out to Someone on LinkedIn : Five conversation starters and sample messages / by Kristi DePaul -- The Best Ways to Use Social Media to Expand Your Network : People early in their careers are more likely to respond to direct messages / by Doug Camplejohn -- How to Ask for an Email Introduction : Include a forwardable email with key details / by Ruchika Tulshyan -- Section Seven. Dealing with Distinct Networking Challenges: The Secrets of Successful Female Networkers : Four behaviors set them apart -- Remote Networking as a Person of Color : Networking is even more important when there's no watercooler chat / by Laura Morgan Roberts and Anthony J. Mayo -- Making Time for Networking as a Working Parent : It's about maintaining connections, not just finding new ones / by David Burkus -- How to Network Across Cultures : You may need to switch your behavior in new settings / by Andy Molinsky -- Networking Skills for Professionals from Underrepresented Backgrounds : Learn to navigate three paradoxes / by AiLun Ku and Ray Reyes -- Section Eight. Avoiding Networking Burnout: How to Keep Networking from Draining You : Prevent and cope with networking-induced exhaustion / by Jordana Valencia -- Five Ways to Say No to a Networking Request : You can't meet with everyone who wants to "pick your brain." / by Dorie Clark -- Section Nine. Sustaining Your Network over the Years: How to Maintain Your Network over the Long Haul : You shouldn't be in touch only when you need something / by Rebecca Knight -- How to Reach Out After Losing Touch : It's entirely possible to reconnect, even if a preposterous amount of time has gone by / by Jodi Glickman.

"We know that the key to getting ahead and launching our ideas is building and sustaining a high-quality and diverse network. But the days of handing out hundreds of business cards at conferences and hoping for the best are over. Our networks need to be both strategic and authentic, made up of real relationships that bring real value. The HBR Guide to Smarter Networking will give you the tools and the confidence you need to make valuable connections, get your ideas off the ground, draw on others' expertise, scope out business opportunities, and land coveted roles. This guide will help you: Connect with connectors; nourish relationships through give and take; get the most out of conferences-in-person or virtual; use your limited networking time wisely; maintain loose ties over long periods; and emphasize quality of contacts over quantity"-- Provided by publisher.