It’s common to hear people say how important networking is for career development. If you know it’s something you should be doing but are unsure where to start, we’ve got some tips on making valuable connections. There’s also advice if you are an introvert or struggle with social interactions.
What is a Network?
Let’s start by clarifying what a network is and why having one is beneficial.
Definition
A network is a group of people who interact to exchange information and provide each other with support on a professional or social basis.
Why is Networking Important?
Networking is considered to be essential for the following reasons:
- Meeting your business goals: networking often helps employees perform their roles to a higher standard. By connecting with people in your industry or with similar work experience, you can expand your knowledge of trends, work processes, and systems, all of which can lead to personal gain and improve your work. Networking can also be key to finding new clients and can connect you with experts.
- Career development: there’s a reason LinkedIn has been so successful, it is well known that vacant roles are often filled by applicants who have connections to someone in the company. When someone already knows you, they can recommend you for a role.
How to Network
The key to successful networking is to focus on creating authentic and relevant connections, as these make them more valuable and worthwhile and therefore more likely to lead somewhere. Having an extensive network is limited in its benefits if the connections are not genuine.
Attend Events
Events, whether they are in-person or online, are well-known as being excellent networking opportunities. Professional events such as trade fairs, conventions or association meetings will connect you to people working in your industry or with your skillset. However, other events such as fundraisers, social lunches or courses to develop skills you don’t necessarily need for your employment are also great opportunities to meet new people and expand your network. Whatever the networking event, there is usually a focal point that makes it easier to find something in common with people and start meaningful conversations.
If you struggle with the idea of putting yourself into a social situation where you don’t know many people, it can help to prepare by doing some research and thinking about conversation topics. Staying up-to-date with news and developments in your industry is essential to feel you can make a valid contribution to people you talk to at these events. Events focusing on training or skill development can be an excellent place to start, as everyone attending will be focused on learning something, which can be a good conversation starter.
Make the Most of Professional Bodies
It may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget about investing time in your professional body when you are busy with work. Check your membership, find out if there are other organisations you should join, and ensure you read the newsletters and sign up for events they run. Getting more involved by taking on a leadership position within the professional body or helping to run CPD can also be an excellent way to expand your network as people get to experience working with you directly.
Develop your Online Presence
Using the tools available to us in the digital world can make networking easier, especially for those who struggle with social interactions. Connecting with people online, through sites like LinkedIn or other social media, allows you to raise your profile, expand your geographic and professional reach, and increase the number of people you know in your industry without having to leave your house. The ability to easily share helpful articles, insights, and trends helps you to keep in touch with people naturally.
Make sure your profile is up to date so anyone looking at your details immediately knows what you are doing and what your interests are, so connections are made based on genuine shared interests. An up-to-date profile is more likely to result in job leads.
Connect with Purpose
When reaching out to people to network with them, it’s essential to remember what you are trying to achieve. Having a sense of purpose will focus your energy and help you get more out of the interaction. A quick note saying, ‘hi, let’s connect’ is easy to ignore. If you put some time and thought into why you would like to talk to that particular person and share those details in your note, they are far more likely to respond as the benefit of connecting with you will be clearer. This approach can also be more accessible for people who find small talk hard and get more out of meaningful interactions.
It can also be helpful to think more broadly about what you want from networking. If, for example, you are in the middle of a job search and want to change industries, creating a strategic plan for networking in the area you want to move to will ensure you are targeting the right people, groups, and events.
Build Relationships
Successful networking involves building relationships with the people you connect with. When you create a strong new relationship with someone, they are more likely to share information with you, recommend you for roles, and generally help you in your role or career.
Using your emotional intelligence in how you communicate with people is key to building a strong connection. On one level, this can involve sharing news and trends with others, congratulating people when they share good news, and getting involved in events where you can talk to each other. On another level, the ability to show your vulnerability and ask for help when you need it can forge deeper emotional connections due to the mutual support that two people feel when they work together to solve a problem. Naturally, it’s not a good idea to bombard people with requests for help but occasionally reaching out to someone to pick their brains or get their advice can make a big difference to a developing relationship.
Actively Grow Your Network
Taking a proactive approach to networking can sometimes be the push you need to get more involved in your chosen area. Set yourself some goals, such as finding a relevant article to share each week, meeting one new person a month, joining your professional body or attending an event every six months. Spending time on your online profile is also an easier way to start networking that doesn’t even involve leaving your sofa.
Even something that might feel unrelated to your professional relationships, like joining a new evening class doing something you have always been interested in, can build your confidence, give you something new to talk about and lead you to new social connections, which may open doors you never even thought about.
