Networking is often seen as a business essential, a way to meet new people and open doors. It is about building genuine relationships that can benefit both you and the people you connect with.
Whether you’re advancing up the career ladder, looking for new opportunities, or just broadening your professional network, networking is a vital skill to acquire. But how do you make networking more real and effective?
Let us talk about why networking is significant, the art of networking and how you can create meaningful relationships that last.
Networking is far greater than exchanging business cards or connecting on LinkedIn. It is building a professional network that offers access, mentorship, and valuable information.
Here’s why networking is crucial:
Increased Visibility: Networking enables you to make an impression in your industry. Once individuals are familiar with you, your credibility is enhanced, thus more doors are opened to you.
Access to Hidden Job Opportunities: Research reveals that 70-80% of open job positions are not advertised. The job openings in this hidden job market are mostly filled through networking.
Networking provides you with the entry pass to the hidden job market and many new opportunities.
Professional Development: You engage with your peers and mentors and learn useful things and positive criticism and stay updated with the latest trends in your field.
Building Skills: Networking refines critical interpersonal skills such as active listening, effective communication, and collaboration, which are relevant to any career.
The key to successful networking is being yourself. People can easily spot when you’re being insincere. Instead of trying to impress others with your credentials, focus on being genuine.
Show real interest in those around you. Ask them questions about their lives and then listen to the answers. Authenticity builds trusting relationships from the very first moment. Because, without that, there is no connection.
It is easy to think that networking is all about gathering a massive contact list, but the quality of the contacts is much more important at the end of the day.
Having a handful of meaningful connections can be far more beneficial than a massive list of people you barely know. Take time to nurture these relationships, and they will yield long-term rewards.
Good networking isn’t about holding the conversation; it is about listening to one another. Convert what is said into your own words to demonstrate participation and keep it going with a few clarifying questions to help deepen the discussion.
When you’re at a networking event, aim to have conversations that go beyond small talk. While it’s important to introduce yourself, try diving a little deeper.
Ask open-ended questions that lead to interesting conversations, be they about trends in your business, shared interests, or issues you both are facing. This type of conversation leads to a deeper personal connection.
Social media is a great networking platform but be sure to use it wisely. Sites like LinkedIn provide an opportunity to network with professionals all over the world, but don’t make it a numbers game.
Personalise your connection requests, like and comment on posts, and add to discussions in a useful manner. Don’t be a passive onlooker but rather an active contributor.
Networking is not about what you can take from it. One strong method of developing solid relationships is by providing value first before anticipating anything in return.
You could provide useful information, introduce a person to a helpful contact, or provide access to resources that they may find useful. Providing value in this manner creates goodwill and demonstrates that you are not solely interested in your own self-interest.
Following the encounter with an individual, follow up with a personalised message in 24 hours to appreciate the time taken by them and make a mention of something specific about your interaction. This little initiative strengthens the rapport and prepares the ground for further contact.
Networking is not something that occurs overnight. It takes patience and consistency.
Stay in regular contact with your connections; whether an email, a posting of an interesting article, or just to ask how they’re doing. It’s the little things that can lead to long-term relationships that develop on their own.
Networking is not merely about meeting individuals who can directly assist you. It’s about making connections with individuals from different backgrounds, industries, and experiences.
Occasionally, the most unlikely connections bring about the most fascinating opportunities. Remain open-minded and be prepared to learn from others.
Final Thoughts
Networking is an art that requires patience, authenticity, and effort. It’s not about collecting contacts but cultivating meaningful relationships that provide mutual value over time. By approaching networking with curiosity and a willingness to give as much as you receive, you’ll find it becomes less intimidating and more rewarding.
Suggested Read: 10 Effective Tips for Finding Your Dream Job
