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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 70% of new opportunities are found via networking. This is why employee referral programs are a strong recruiting source. Many companies post open positions internally before going to the outside, turning to the power of their existing workforce’s networks.
Even if you’re not looking for a new opportunity, building professional relationships through networking is still a valuable activity. Networking can help us build confidence, boost our communication skills, market ourselves or our business, and learn new things.
However, networking can often conjure up images of awkward handshakes and uncomfortable small talk. So, it’s important for us to develop our networking skills to receive its greatest value. Even if you don’t consider yourself “a natural at working the room”, there are ways you can learn to network effectively.
7 Tips for Successful Networking
Because building a professional network takes time, it’s necessary to view networking as a long-term activity. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people ignore their network only to regret it later when they really need career support. Here are seven tips to keep in mind both as you’re starting to build your network and as good refreshers to maintain it.
- Maintain a positive professional attitude. People who are successful at networking have an 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 attending, your employer / workplace, or other people. This is likely to come across as unprofessional and drive others away.
- Be an active listener. Listening makes others feel heard and will leave them with a great impression of you and the conversation. That’s how you want to be remembered. 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 credibility and keep you top of mind after the event. This can be done by actively listening, asking questions, finding something you may have in common, and possibly making suggestions or recommendations.
- Follow-up! Actions speak louder than words when it comes to networking. You need to follow through on what you say you’ll do. It helps to establish credibility. Examples include 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.
- Connect people with opportunities. As great as networking can be for your own professional development, it’s also an exciting opportunity to help other people 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.
- Focus on developing 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.
- Have fun! This bears repeating. 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, be a good person and have fun conversations. In the end, being (genuinely) kind will only add to your integrity.
Your Network is Your “Net Worth”
Often in business we hear that what matters most is not what you know, but who you know. Your networking skills will remain a key 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 opportunity.
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