A new chapter began for me on Sept 27, 2010. If I were writing a book, this chapter would be titled "Back to College." I have left the world of executive search to become the Director, Office of Career Development at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. For me, it's a bit of a homecoming as I graduated from here with a BBA in 1979. The old building is gone, but the spirit is here (and some of the same faculty, too).

It is an exciting time at the b-school. Interviews have begun for full-time jobs and many companies are on campus every day presenting information about themselves. It's a thrill knowing that walking within these walls are future business leaders and entrepreneurs. 

Most articles about business networking include discussion of the various online networking sites such as LinkedIn, Jigsaw, and naymz. There are also sites that help you maintain the accuracy of contact information that you have collected, e.g. Plaxo.  The underlying goal seems to be for you to extend your network and/or help you connect with others who might be able (and willing) to help you. But what has occurred to me is that there is another valuable dimension to networks - and that is the net. Think fishing. Cast a net and pull it in; the stronger the net, the more it can catch. So as you build out your network, be sure to tie the knots tight and continually maintain it. You never know what might you might catch!

You would be amazed how often someone calls me and says they were referred to me and told that I could help them find a job. Unfortunately for the caller, that is not what I do. Instead I help employers find candidates that are a fit.

Here is a link to a commercial created by Budweiser and aired only once, during the 2002 Super Bowl. It is titled "Respect."  You can read about it on the Snopes website.