hr bartender

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

There’s an old saying that your career success is often based more on “who” you know versus “what” you know. While having knowledge and skills is important, building professional relationships (i.e. “networking”) can open doors to new career opportunities – both internally and externally.

From an internal perspective, many companies post open positions internally before going to the outside, turning to the power of their existing workforce’s networks. And externally, over half of jobs are filled by hearing about the opening from friends and/or professional networks. 

But networking isn’t just for job seekers. Building and maintaining a professional network can help you build your confidence, boost your communication skills, market yourself or your business, and learn new things. That being said, networking can often conjure up images of awkward handshakes, forced icebreaker activities, and uncomfortable small talk. 

So how do we develop networking skills to receive its value? Even if you’re not “a natural” at working the room, there are ways you can learn to do it effectively.

Building a professional network takes time so it’s important to think long-term when it comes to networking. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I’ve seen people ignore their network only to regret it later. Whether you consider yourself a master networker or just starting out, these seven steps are a must:

Maintain a professional and positive attitude. People who are most successful at networking have a positive, professional attitude that makes others want to know and connect with them. It should go without saying but let me say it anyway – avoid making negative comments about the event you’re at, your organization, or other people. This is likely could come across as unprofessional and drive potential connections away. 

Develop connections rather than transactions. There’s nothing wrong with attending a professional event with some networking goals in mind. But do try to also have some fun and enjoy your time. Networking isn’t supposed to be drudgery. Being too intentional about a goal to “meet XX people” or “make XX new contacts” can add unnecessary pressure.

Be an active listener. Over 60% of business people consider being a good listener as the most important characteristic of a great networker. Listening makes others feel heard and will leave them with a great impression of you and the conversation. In addition, actively listening can help you engage in more genuine conversations.

Build trust through authenticity. Speaking of genuine conversations, take time to establish trust with people. Being authentic will help build your credibility and keep you top of mind after the event. You can do this by actively listening (see #3), asking questions, finding something you may have in common, and possibly making suggestions or recommendations. 

Connect people with opportunities. As great as networking can be for your own professional development, it’s also an exciting opportunity to help others with theirs. Do your best to provide value to the new people you meet by facilitating introductions, sharing advice, offering feedback, or actively seeking ways you can help them. You’ll feel great knowing you’ve helped someone, and when an opportunity comes up for them to return the favor, it’s highly likely they will.

Follow-up! Your actions will speak louder than words when it comes to networking. To be a truly great networker, you need to follow through on what you say you’ll do. This establishes your credibility. That means sending the link to an article you discussed or facilitating the introduction you promised to make. At the very least, make a positive impression by sending a LinkedIn connection request and/or message to your new contacts to thank them for their time or say that it was nice to meet them. 

Have fun! Not every networking opportunity will be valuable. You won’t always walk away with new LinkedIn connections, plans for coffee meetups, or on-the-spot job offers. While networking can help us get those things, it shouldn’t always be what you ‘get’ out of it. When all else fails, have fun conversations and be a good person. In the end, being (genuinely) kind will only add to your integrity.

These networking skills can also be applied to our interactions on social media. Regardless of the platform you’re on, people want to engage with others who are professional, positive, authentic, and trustworthy. 

Your networking skills will remain an effective tool to help open doors for you professionally throughout your career. You can use networking to learn more about the jobs and industry you’d like to work in, meet people who can connect you with those opportunities, and develop the communication skills, which will be vital for any future role.

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring Duval Street in Key West, FL
The post 7 Proven Activities to Grow Your Career Using Networking appeared first on hr bartender.
Go to Source
26/11/2024 – 12:03 /Sharlyn Lauby
Twitter: @hoffeldtcom