Networking 101: Strategies for Building and Leveraging Your Professional Relationships
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Having a strong professional network can be a major advantage in today's competitive job market. According to research, about 80% of all jobs are sourced through networking rather than simple responses to job boards and recruiter outreach. Building and maintaining a professional network can help you gain access to new job opportunities, get valuable advice and support, and build your reputation within your industry. In this blog, we will explore the importance of building and maintaining a professional network and offer tips on how to make connections and leverage your relationships.
Let’s start by talking about how to build your network out. Your professional network is a valuable resource that can help you achieve your career goals. Having a strong network can open up new opportunities for jobs, promotions, and even new income streams. See the below tips for ideas on how to build your professional network:
Attend industry events and conferences. These are great places to meet people in your field and make connections. Be sure to bring business cards and follow up with anyone you meet after the event. How do you know which conferences to attend? Prioritize those aligned with your industry or role, ideally where you may be able to speak or participate is roundtable discussions - these will lead to more meaningful relationships.
Join professional organizations and get involved. Many organizations offer networking events and opportunities to connect with other professionals in your field. Be they meet-and-greet sessions, career fairs, or seminars, you can make a goal of meeting two new people each time and you will steadily grow your network.
Use social media to your advantage. LinkedIn is a great platform for connecting with other professionals and finding job opportunities. Twitter and Facebook can also be useful for finding industry events and staying up-to-date on industry news. Don’t just be a lurker though - if you read something interesting - share it! Engage with other people’s posts and be genuine, you will certainly build a personal reputation and brand soon.
Offer value. When you meet someone new, try to find out how you can help them. This could be as simple as introducing them to someone in your network or offering to help with a project. By offering value, you'll be more likely to make a lasting connection. Adam Grant, organizational psychologist, Wharton professor, and business author writes about this in his best-seller “Give and Take.” Givers, those who freely give with no direct intention of reciprocal benefit, end up often as the most successful people in their roles. This is because genuine giving is often recognized and ultimately rewarded with trust and loyalty, and ends up paying off in the long run.
Don't be afraid to ask for introductions. If you want to meet someone specific, don't be afraid to ask for an introduction from a mutual connection.
Once you've built up your professional network, it's important to leverage those relationships to achieve your goals. Here are some tips for making the most of your network:
Keep in touch. Stay in touch with the people in your network by sending periodic emails or connecting on social media. This will help you stay top-of-mind and make it easier to ask for favors or advice when needed.
Ask for advice. Your network can be a valuable source of advice and guidance. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask for input on a problem you're facing or a decision you need to make.
Offer help. Just as you should offer value when building your network, you should also be willing to help out the people in your network when they need it. This could be as simple as making an introduction, giving feedback on a resume, or offering to review a document. Again, refer to Adam Grant’s perspectives from “Give and Take” - givers tend to win in the long run!
Promote others. One of the best giving strategies is the “5 minute favor” - the idea that if you can help someone within five minutes or fewer, there is no reason not to do so. When you see an opportunity to promote someone in your network, take it. This could be as simple as sharing their blog post on social media, introducing them to a colleague, or recommending them for a job opportunity.
Use your network to learn. Your network is a great source of knowledge and expertise. Don't be afraid to ask for introductions to people who can teach you new skills or offer guidance on a particular subject.
A strong professional network is a valuable asset that can help you achieve your career and financial goals. By building and leveraging your relationships, you can open up new opportunities and gain valuable insights and advice. Take the time to invest in your professional network and you'll be well on your way to success.
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Disclaimer: We are not financial advisors. Please do your own research and due diligence before making any financial decisions. Some links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may receive a percentage of product sales if you make a purchase. However, this does not influence our recommendations. We only recommend products that we truly believe in and that we think will be helpful to our readers.
