When it Comes to Networking, I’m Not Sure Where to Start and Where to Go?
Networking helps you build existing relationships and establish new ones. There are various benefits to networking. It can help you:
- Learn more about a job function;
- Learn more about an industry;
- Obtain an informal introduction to people and companies that you may be interested in;
- Identify additional job opportunities; and
- Receive practical advice and tips on career, salary and other professional topics through a trusted resource.
Relationships matter.
Think, for instance, about the most effective way to finding opportunities and landing a new job. While there are many resources today, it is having a personal connection/relationship with the right people that give you a leg up.
In fact, according to a survey from DirectEmployers Association, a nonprofit association of employers, employee referrals takes the top spot for the best source to finding new employees, followed by social networking resources, such as LinkedIn and Facebook.
Personal contacts directly connected to the company you wish to join often give you a much greater advantage and unique insight that few others will have. You may be privy to information on the position, the company and the people you will be meeting with that may not be available anywhere else. But most valuable of all is having a professional network with contacts willing to provide a good referral.
An employee referral and employee recommendation on a candidate can be invaluable. Given two equally qualified candidates, an employee’s recommendation over another candidate can help tip the scale in your favor. An employee vouching for you as the best candidate carries a lot of weight since he/she is indicating that you are the best fit given their familiarity with the company’s culture, knowing how things work, and understanding what type of individuals are most suitable.
While there are many advantages to having a strong professional network, it is not always approached and managed in the best manner. Here we will share with you information and tips on:
- How to build your own professional network;
- Maintaining your network; and
- Growing your network.
So, let’s get started!
Build Your Own Career Network
To build an effective professional network you have to first evaluate and determine which contacts are ones who can help you in the job hunt or help you move ahead in your career. These people should also be individuals you like and trust, including:
- Past and present coworkers;
- Past and present supervisors or mentors;
- Other business acquaintances;
- Alumni contacts; and
- Family and friends with relevant professional interests and knowledge.
Today, there are various resources to help you organize your network of key contacts. LinkedIn and Facebook are two of the most popular networking sites you can use. And with more than 1 million active users already signed up, it’s more than likely that your contact may already be found on these sites. Staying connected through resources like these can help you keep up to date on their professional and personal developments. At the same time, it gives you the opportunity to share news from your end.
Maintain Your Career Network
Establishing a professional network that is resourceful also means you have to maintain and nurture it.
To maintain relationships, there must be dialogue. Simply make a point to regularly stay in touch and be willing to help as you would like them to help you. Having an ongoing dialogue builds trust and a level of understanding about where you can be a resource also to someone in your network because everyone has their own areas of expertise. Don’t contact them only when you need help. Show that you care and you want to help them too.
It does not take much time or effort to send an e-mail or place a call to say hello and see how everything is going. A greeting during holidays is also an easy way to maintain contact. You have various touch-points through the year, including New Year’s, Mother’s and Father’s Day, Thanksgiving and of course the end of year holidays, like Christmas, Kwanza and New Year’s Eve, that give you reason to communicate with your contacts.
Grow Your Career Network
Your network will not reach its full potential if you do not continue to let it grow. There are various opportunities available to help you add to your network. Whether it is through people you meet at professional functions, alumni events or through discussion boards and social media sites, learn the best approaches to connecting with professionals that would be of value to have in your network.
It is very easy to allow the fear of approaching someone new turn us away from making an important new contact. You are not alone.
Here you will find some quick tips to help you feel more comfortable and at ease with approaching other professionals:
- Do not start with the notion that you will be rejected. You have nothing to lose when you approach someone you do not know.
- Start approaching people who know your people. It is much easier to approach colleagues of someone you know. For example, “Hey, don’t you work with John? I know John from school. I’m trying to find more information about a day in the life of a procurement manager. Do you have any insight you can share on this with me?”
- Start with small talk. Whether you are face-to-face with a contact or communicating through the computer, find a common connection or experience. For example, it may begin with an interesting point made during a presentation or a discussion board.
- Don’t approach your contact with an apology. “I’m sorry for bothering you. I was hoping….” This approach gives the impression that you lack confidence and you are not worth the time to listen to. You want to approach your contact with confidence and express to them you value their knowledge and the information they can share with you. “I saw you have been working in the industry for 20 years. I think you have some great experience and have a lot of knowledge on this subject. I’m looking to find out how to best to ….” is a more effective approach.
Professional networking is a two-way street. You find answers and address questions through a trusted and supported network and hopefully others will find the same from you – through the expertise and experience you bring. Social media/networking sites have helped make connecting with your contacts easier for everyone than ever before. To successfully progress the growth of your career, get started today, build your professional network of contacts and continue to expand it with each new experience.