Networking Made Easy

Building relationships is an important part of succeeding in any career and when looking for new job opportunities. A recent study found that 80% of professionals consider networking to be an essential part of their career success. In this blog, we discuss how to use networking to reach your goals.

Make connecting a habit: Networking shouldn’t be a chore, it should be a part of your daily routine. LinkedIn is a useful tool that helps you keep up with your industry and the people working in it. Engage with content that you like, follow companies which inspire you, and connect with people who can ultimately help you reach your goals. In the real world, this can be done by catching up with a previous colleague or someone you worked on a special project with. It’s good to just check in on people and see what’s new and if you could help them out in any way.

Have a goal: Think about where you want to go and how you can use your network to get there. Having a purpose can help you when it comes to strategically building relationships that may eventually turn into opportunities. For example, if you want to become a project manager and had a professor in college who did just that, you should reconnect with them. Another way of doing this is by joining groups or following influencers that focus on matters closely related to your goals. This can help you find likeminded individuals and acquire new knowledge/skills.

Fight your fear: Putting yourself out there can be a bit nerve-racking but it’s an important part of networking. Challenge yourself by speaking to others in environments where you wouldn’t traditionally. This can be as simple as chatting with someone in line while you’re waiting to order your coffee at Starbucks. Quick face-to-face interactions like this are good practice for networking events or simply being more social within your current workplace. If your nervous about interacting with others try discussing topics which your knowledgeable and/or passionate about. Remember, you never know where you’ll find your next client, customer, or investor.

Ask for advice, not a job: When you ask for advice, you’re showing genuine interest in the knowledge that a person has to offer you. This will be received much better than someone simply asking for a job which can come off as pushy or desperate. Reach out to alumni that attended your school that are doing the job you want or current employees at the company you wish to work for. Ask questions which show your genuinely there for their expertise versus just a handout. This will help your name stay fresh on their mind when a position which your fit for opens up.

Be patient and follow up: Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your network. It’s important to interact with your connections consistently to cultivate strong relationships which open new doors. These can come in the form of knowledge, opportunity, and new connections. Also, don’t forget to follow up after making an initial contact with someone. This can be as easy as thanking them for their time, asking additional questions, or sending them an article relevant to your prior conversation. Little things as such help strengthen the relationships you have with your network.

Lucy
RaezerConnect