Networking basics has several elements. Ask any successful business person and they will tell you that professional networking is one of the most important elements — if not the most vital one – in moving your career forward. But even though it is so familiar among professionals, it is also one of the most underused career enhancement methods for success. Following are some ideas for you to know about networking.
What Is Networking?
Networking is the process of building and maintaining mutually beneficial connections with like-minded individuals through sharing resources and information and supporting each other. Strong relationships are built on competence, trust, fairness, honesty professionalism, punctuality, confidentiality and being upfront. One of the most important things about networking is being willing to collaborate with your connections instead of competing with them; you should also be willing to go the extra mile to help them and not just look at what they can do for you.
Everyone has networking experience, just not in those specific terms. Think about it: meeting someone or making a new friend is actually a form of networking. There are two different types of networking: social and professional networking.
Why Network?
Networking can be extremely beneficial for all professionals as it can help you at all stages of your career.
Helps You Get a Job. Networking is considered to be one of the most effective job hunting methods. Most people are able to find a job through networking, either through direct contact with a hiring manager or through referrals. If you are a hiring manager and are responsible for hiring someone into your company, would you rather hire someone you know and trust or a complete stranger? Having said that, some 80 per cent of jobs are never advertised, so by engaging with other professionals, you might end up getting hired in the hidden job market.
It’s the Biggest Predictor of Career Success. It provides different avenues to check out. According to some studies, simply being in an open network instead of a closed one is the best predictor of career success. An open network consists of people who act as nodes connecting different people and different groups – who can sometimes end up feeling disconnected and misunderstood. Having an open network can be quite challenging due to the constant conflicting perspectives you have to assimilate into your worldview. This is actually what makes open networks so valuable. By having all these different people together, with their varied backgrounds, you’re able to absorb the huge creative potential by combining ideas from different fields. When you are in a closed network, you are networking with people you already know and stay in the same industry, religion or political party. It, therefore, may be easier to get things done due to the trust you’ve built up with your existing connections.
So here are some networking tips. By investing the time to build a strong and open network, your career will eventually reap the benefits. People in your network will start seeing you as a skilled professional and will reach out to you for services depending on your expertise.
- Find networking opportunities.
- Set a schedule. Now that you have found opportunities available to you, look at all the events in your area and select the ones you would want to attend.
- Pay for it and since you have invested in the event you create a commitment for yourself and this will ensure you attend.
- Research the event. Find out all about the event on the internet and seek out attendees and speakers on social media. Since you have connected with them and have learned of their content before you meet them in person, be sure you introduce yourself again when meeting them in person.
- Go alone. This is the best way, because if you go with someone, it may scare off potential introductions and your friend may intimidate some people. You can challenge yourself and seek others on your own. If others can do it, you can, too.
- Go for the loners. Groups are very hard to approach and impress, so just approach that one person standing in the corner all by themselves and strike up a conversation. You may share the same interests, so this means you have made yourself a new connection, just like that.
- Volunteer to work at the event. This is a great way to meet people and benefit you. Most importantly, it keeps you in the know. This provides you with the unique opportunity to meet and network with people who you may not have otherwise encountered as a simple attendee.
- Follow up. Now that you have networked with someone, you need to follow up with them and send an email or note so they remember you too.
- Hang out by the food. This may sound strange, but don’t worry. This is the place where every attendee will pass by at one point or another, meaning you will be able to see and interact with everyone there.
- Remember to have FUN. Generally speaking, the more positive your attitude and the more fun you have, the more people will approach you.
- Last, but not least, keep an up-to-date list. Create a list with all the connections you made at an event – regardless of whether you think you and your career can benefit from them. Write down the date you met, the date you sent them your first email, if and when they replied, each time you met and so on. These notes will come in handy in the future and will definitely remind you when you need to follow up with someone you haven’t been in touch with for some time.
Networking is just a time to make sure you connect with people and have a wonderful time while making your connection. Good Luck.
~ Submitted by Doris Ann E. Werlinger, Hospitality