Networking With People - Indispensable to Career Success
Why is Networking Important?
Networking with your current and past colleagues, friends, and acquaintances is a key skill for any business professional at all stages of their careers. There are many benefits to networking some of which are listed below.
Keeping your ear to the ground and knowing about the latest trends in your field
Building your personal brand and demonstrating your expertise
Being seen as the go-to expert in a particular niche
Providing you with potential job opportunities and that next step in your career
Creating opportunities for you to work on interesting, impactful, and challenging projects
Effective networking is not always easy, and many people don’t know how to do it well.
How Do You Network With Other People?
Find time for informal chats with colleagues and other team members. Getting to know people on a personal level is always a great foundation for building a deeper connection over time.
Many people fear networking because they are unsure of what to talk about. Great news! Let the other person do the talking. If you can ask open-ended questions and be genuinely curious and interested in the other person and what they are sharing, they will drive the conversation.
People love talking about themselves and what is important to them, all you have to do is listen.
Next, find some common ground. If they mentioned skiing and you are a ski enthusiast, be sure to mention that. Do they love dogs? Terrific! Perhaps there is a mutual interest there.
Professional Network Tips
Networking in the office is probably more organic than in a virtual setting. There are so many casual opportunities to walk to and from a meeting with a team member, bump into a colleague in the lunchroom, say hello to someone while crossing paths in the hallway.
Since most of us now work in a virtual environment, we have to be more intentional about our networking. Remember, everyone still takes coffee breaks and has to eat lunch. Why not do these activities together? Admittedly, it might sound a little awkward at first, but you would be surprised how many people would welcome the chance to “have lunch with you,” even if it is online.
If that doesn’t feel right with you, try reaching out to a colleague just to set-up a 15-min touch point. Be very matter of fact about it: “Hi, we haven’t caught up in so long. Do you want to grab 15min this week to connect? Looking forward to catching up.” You would be surprised how many people would welcome the opportunity. I would venture to guess; they even appreciate your initiative.
Effective Networking
Our professional networks should be broad and varied. Having people in your network who have the same 15-20 people in their network does not make for a strong network. You want to make sure that your network includes:
Leaders who are higher up in the organization than you
Colleagues and team members at your level, and
Those who are more junior than you.
It is even recommended to have the building manager and the lady in the cafeteria as part of your network. You never know who a valuable ally might be. Be sure to have a diverse network that radiates out in all directions.
“Be Intentional About Your Networking –
Make a List of Who You Would Like to Connect With”
Professional Network Building
Professional networking is extremely beneficial for career development and personal growth. A strong network can provide you with valuable opportunities, insights, and support. Here are some tips to help you effectively grow your professional network:
Professional Networking Goals: Determine what you want to achieve by expanding your network. Are you looking for job opportunities, mentorship, industry insights, or potential collaborators? Setting clear goals will help you focus your efforts.
Leverage Social Media: Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and even professional groups on Facebook can be excellent tools for networking. Share valuable content, engage in discussions, and connect with professionals in your field.
Attend Events: Attend conferences, workshops, seminars, webinars, and industry meet-ups. These events provide opportunities to meet new people face-to-face, exchange ideas, and learn from experts.
Join Professional Organizations: Become a member of industry-specific associations or organizations. These groups often host events, conferences, and online forums where you can connect with like-minded professionals.
Volunteer: Volunteering for industry-related projects, events, or causes can introduce you to new people and demonstrate your commitment to your field.
Informational Interviews: Request informational interviews with professionals you admire. This is a great way to learn from experienced individuals and expand your network.
Utilize Alumni Networks: Reach out to your alma mater's alumni network. Alumni often have a strong connection to their alma mater and can be willing to help fellow graduates.
Networking Events: Attend networking events specific to your industry or interests. These events are designed for professionals to connect and share insights.
Online Networking: Participate in online forums, discussion boards, and groups related to your field. Engage in meaningful conversations and share your expertise.
Be a Connector: Introduce people within your network who could benefit from knowing each other. This not only helps others but also strengthens your relationships.
Offer Value: Provide value to your network by sharing helpful resources, insights, or introductions. Being helpful and supportive can lead to stronger connections.
Follow Up: After meeting new contacts, follow up with a personalized message. Express gratitude for the connection and express your interest in staying in touch. Should the opportunity arise, share an interesting article that you read or video you watched that you think the other person might appreciate.
Networking Opportunities: Consistency is key. Regularly engage with your network by attending events, sharing updates, and maintaining relationships. Keeping your ear to the ground, being visible and engaging with others is key to maintaining and growing your network. Join some MeetUp groups, reach out to your alumni association, participate in a Hackathon. These are all excellent places to meet new people,
Build Relationships, Not Just Contacts: Focus on building meaningful relationships rather than just accumulating contacts. Genuine connections are more likely to be beneficial in the long run.
Professional Development Courses: Enroll in courses, workshops, or webinars related to your field. These can introduce you to new people while enhancing your skills.
Cold Outreach: Don't be afraid to reach out to professionals you admire or want to learn from. Craft a thoughtful and personalized message explaining your purpose for connecting. When reading out via LinkedIn, be sure to review the person’s profile. If something of interest piqued your curiosity, a particular accomplishment or a project that they were involved in, be sure to mention it in your note.
Stay Curious: Approach networking with a genuine curiosity about others. Ask questions, listen actively, and show a sincere interest in their experiences and perspectives. Also, be sure to remember what they mentioned and bring it up or ask about it during future conversations. In this way, you will be memorable to the other person.
Remember that effective networking is about building relationships and contributing to the professional community. It's a long-term investment that requires time, effort, and authenticity. Over time, your network can become an invaluable resource for your career growth and development.
Networking Skills
Always be interested in the other person. This is a great place to start.
When liaising with those inside your organization, you might want to consider asking:
What keeps you up at night?
What are your biggest pain points right now?
What interesting/exciting projects are your teams involved in?
How can I support you and your teams?
When connecting with industry professionals on LinkedIn, be sure to pick out something specific from their profile that piqued your interest and that you can ask them about. If you take this approach, the likelihood that they will be open to connecting with you is much greater. Most people dislike the impersonal connection requests.
After you have had an initial chat with your new connection, be sure to follow up. Sending a thank you note recognizing their time is always a nice idea. Or, depending on what you learned about them, perhaps you might share an interesting article or podcast that you know they will enjoy. There are many great ways to stay top of mind with your new connection before setting up another virtual or in-person chit chat.
Blocking out time on your calendar to be intentional about networking is always a good idea. What gets on your calendar gets done. Be sure to send out meeting invites every week for a few weeks ahead so that you are connecting with various people on a regular basis. Also, make time for sending out those follow up articles and podcasts.
Do you want more personalized help with your networking skills or building your leadership toolkit overall?? Don’t hesitate to reach out here.
Interested in Learning More About Networking, Especially Networking for Beginners
Here are some additional resources that might be helpful. Please Google the titles below.
Networking For People Who Hate Networking
A Smarter Way to Network – Harvard Business Review
Learn to Love Networking – Harvard Business Review