You might think a degree and some professional experience is enough to kickstart a great career, and you would be partially right - both of those things are invaluable to building a successful career. However, there is one more thing you’ll need to set yourself apart from the rest of the pack, a network of diverse professionals.
Although networking may seem daunting and time-consuming, successfully networking can lead to great opportunities and long-term career success. Read over our 7 tips on how to network.
The first step to successful networking is going out into the world and meeting new people. If you look hard enough, you’ll find plenty of networking events you can attend. Sites that can help you find events include:
Even a simple google search can help you find career events in your area. Events can vary in size and nearly every career field. However, don’t just stick to networking events that are specific to your career field. General networking events can also help you build bridges that will lead to your next great career opportunity.
Networking events don't have to be the typical suit and tie affairs. It's easy to grow your network by joining a sports league, volunteer group, or organization with like-minded people. You never know which connections will lead to your next job offer.
Your personality may end up dictating the way you network. Not every style of networking is going to work for everyone.
If you’re comfortable in large crowds and don’t mind introducing yourself to a lot of people, then a large networking event may be perfect for you. Usually, these bigger events are a bit more casual and allow participants to create a lot of new connections. If you’ve got the outgoing personality that thrives on social interactions, these events are the perfect place to start building relationships.
Don’t panic if huge networking affairs aren’t you’re style; some of the most valuable networking you can do is one-on-one. Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone in your career field and ask for a quick chat. Most people are more than happy to have a phone call or a face to face meeting if you reach out in a professional manor.
A large part of networking is proving your value and presenting your talents, and you won’t be able to do that without a plan. Before you even think about stepping into a networking event, think about how you can talk about your strengths, talents, and what connections you can offer. Map out how you can help someone either now or in the future.
Being good at conversation also means knowing when to listen. Networking isn’t all about you explaining yourself, and you’ll want to let others lead the discussion at times. If you do all the talking, the other person may feel you are uninterested in them.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions; it’s a great way to show you are interested and invested in the person you’ve just met. Some excellent questions to ask are:
Remember not to keep the conversation going too long, and to thank the person for their time.
While you search for a job and line up interviews, the one question you’re guaranteed to be asked is “tell me about yourself.” It’s a hard question to answer, and you’ll spend a good portion of your interview prep trying to craft the perfect answer.
You’ll be told your answer should be around 60 seconds long, and it’ll become what’s known as your elevator pitch. It’s the short speech you would give if you only had a minute with someone.
Although it’s true you need a well-crafted elevator pitch, don’t solely rely on it for networking. Networking isn’t the same as an interview; it’s less about getting a job and more about building bridges for the future – so be friendly and be personable. Be the person people will want to spend time around and work with down the road.
If you start networking just to land a job, you’re going about it the wrong way. Networking isn’t about asking for a job, or handing out your resume to anyone who will take it. These tactics come across as selfish and desperate.
No one wants to make a connection with someone who is only networking with their own interests in mind. Instead of coming right out and asking for a job, request information that will help you in your job search. Your primary goal should be to make connections that may benefit you for future opportunities.
A new connection might be willing to refer you or even tell you about an opening before it’s even been announced. It's always good to be generous and help others, so that they'll want to return the favor someday.
To successfully network, you’ll need more than a smile and friendly demeanor. You’ll need the right tools. Some of the tools you’ll want to hone are:
Remember to dress a little more formal than the event suggests. You’ll most likely run into someone important, and you want to make sure you’re dressed to impress.
Use your message to remind your new connection of who you are and what you discussed. Try to follow up with your contacts every few months, and the ones you want to build a closer professional relationship with at least once a month. Some ways to follow up are:
With so many steps that go into great networking, it can be easy to forget about LinkedIn. However, LinkedIn is going to be one of the most important and powerful tools when networking and job hunting. Follow these tips below to make sure you’re networking on LinkedIn the right way:
There’s no point in your career when you no longer need to network. Networking is a career-long process you should never stop. Find the value in each and every person you talk to. It doesn’t matter what title that person may have - take a genuine interest in them and ask questions.
Don’t think that just because the person doesn’t have the title of CEO doesn’t mean they can’t be a valuable connection. In fact, it’s usually easier to build a lasting relationship with someone who is early on in their career. You never know when a small connection may turn into a big opportunity.
Networking is a skill you need to hone continually. You might not find your next great opportunity in the course of two hours, but if you stick with it, you’ll see the power of networking. Go out there, take some risks, meet new people, and you’ll see how far networking can take you.