I’m at the SHRM Annual Conference and Expo this week. Some of the best parts of the event are the networking opportunities – both the organized ones like the SHRM Meet-up being hosted by Glassdoor and the ones you arrange on your own. It’s really fun to meet people I’ve only traded tweets with or connect with friends from my days as a volunteer leader.
Of course, I’m going to attend some sessions and get a few recertification credits. I’m also going to spend plenty of time in the expo hall learning about new products and services that I will either use myself or recommend to my clients and colleagues. But it’s equally important to make time for networking.
Frankly, it never ceases to amaze me the number of people who only network when they need to. And I can’t tell you how many professionals I know who have lost their jobs, started networking like mad, and once they landed a new gig – stopped networking. They completely forgot that conversation where they swore they’ve learned their lesson and realize they need to continuously network.
If you’re looking to get more out of networking opportunities, one of the best books I’ve read on the subject is Keith Ferrazzi’s Never Eat Alone. It’s kinda ironic that I read the book while traveling (alone) from a conference. But we won’t go there.
Here are a few takeaways I’ve learned about networking over the years. In fact, it might be easier to explain what networking is by saying what it’s not:
- Something to cross off your ‘to-do’ list (as in “I networked today.”)
- Only connecting with people you feel can do something for you
- Calling just to ask for favors
- Giving your resume to everyone you meet
- Only talking with your posse and not meeting anyone new
- Handing out your business card to everyone you meet
The purpose of networking is building relationships. Let me say that again. Networking is about building relationships. And, how do you build solid relationships? I think of listening, smiling, sharing, offering assistance, being helpful and connecting. Let me add that building relationships is a two-way street. Good networking has a balance to it. It’s not about one person always making the call. Or one person always asking a question. It’s about equal giving and sharing.
One last thing about networking. It’s not about always saying yes to every request that’s made of you. That’s a sure-fire way to starting feeling like you’re being taken advantage of. Learning how to say “no” is an equally important business skill.
I’d love to hear – what networking tips do you find effective? Leave a note in the comments.
Image courtesy of Robert Smith
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Dorothy Douglass says
Networking is connecting – not just handshaking and exchanging business cards as you noted. Successful networking is collaborating, and finding ways to make those you have connected with successful, or find them opportunities to shine. It’s easy sometimes to ‘blow off’ potentials connections (AKA vendors, sales people….) when we have so much work on our plates. Next time, think about establishing a connection, telling the vendor honestly that their product/service doesn’t meet a need you have at this time. Keep the contact info, and maybe connect them with someone you know who does have a need. Oh, and vendors, when I’ve reached out to YOU, please be sure to follow up – timely. Don’t contact me 6 months later when you come across my email. That networking opportunity was lost.
John@PGISelfDirected says
“Only connecting with people you feel can do something for you.” I believe this just summarized the whole article. 🙂 What do you think?
Marge Pfleiderer says
As a recovering introvert, networking has always been a difficult thing for me to do. But I finally realized it is more about community and being a good neighbor – things I can relate to. I think I have gotten a little better about it in the last few years. I may not always reach out, but would say I do it as much now to share as to ask for help.
Great article. Thanks, as always!
Danica says
The advice of networking even when you do not NEED to network is well founded. People do not appreciate being used. Admittedly, I feel as though I am always in need of networking in some form or another. The challenge is meeting with friends or colleagues without a whisper of need: to focus on others and the fun side of networking. Some say this approach is wasting precious opportunities, I feel I am growing a stronger future and keeping in touch with people instead of favors.
Mark D.French says
Networking is like meeting new friends, you have to have patience and perseverance to listen, understand and communicate to win lots of them.
Tyler Murphy says
It’s tricky as networking (to shy people or those that lack confidence) can seem like a big deal, and their fears of what could go wrong often overshadow the act, which is simply two interesting people talking to each other and connecting on a professional level.
Sharlyn Lauby says
It’s been great reading all the comments while I was at the SHRM Conference.
@Dorothy – Great point about vendor relationships. I always ask vendors to schedule appointments so they have my full attention. I think they appreciate the honesty.
@John – There are plenty of people who only network to “get stuff”. While at some point, you might need a favor…that shouldn’t be your primary motivation.
@Marge – It was great meeting you in ATL. I’m a recovering introvert as well, so I find other people’s tips to be helpful.
@Danica – There’s an old saying about networking…if you wait until you need it, it’s too late. So true!
@Mark – I like the friends comparison.
@Tyler – Everyone has something interesting to say. They just need to do it. Networking isn’t painful unless you make it that way.
Melissa says
It’s always better to have something before you actually need it. You are not only at a better position, but you never know what impact someone else can have on you or when a new business partnership will form. Networking shouldn’t be a chore either ; it should be fun and give you a richer understanding of your surroundings.
Jonathan Lau says
Thank you for pointing out the value of always networking. Being part of a company that works heavily with college students, we realized that many of them have never networked a day in their life until graduation when they need to find a job. Networking as you pointed out is such an important skill, it’s a crime they don’t teach every college student about it. Maybe someone should go around college campuses and teach seminars on it *hint* *hint*
To answer your question, the best networking advice I got was being told to open a spreadsheet and just start putting names down of everybody, where they worked and what their skills were. The end goal of this was to realize the strength of my own network and to build out relationships that would be most the helpful through trading help.
Jonathan
Biz Dev
InternMatch
Sharlyn Lauby says
@Melissa – You are so right about timing. As a business owner, I always remember that referrals and opportunities can come from anywhere and at any time.
@Jonathan – Totally agree. Students need to learn networking early in their careers. Keith Ferrazzi has a few videos on YouTube that explain networking.