When you’re searching for a new job or trying to land an interview, you probably don’t think about how your networking skills could help you. But that could change if you start thinking outside the box and creating different networks. Instead of continuing to focus on what jobs you can find on your own, expand your network to include people who can help you find that job or company. By adding more contacts, you will increase the chances of finding a potential employer and decrease the chance they won’t even bother hiring you. Whether you’re just starting out in your career and wondering how to get better at networking, or have been around for awhile but need some inspiration on what side of the fence to move toward (hint: It’s not back), we’ve got some tips on how to improve your career through networking.
Networking is important to any career success because it’s how you get in touch with and expand your network of contacts. If you don’t know anyone who can help you with a job search, it will be much more difficult to find one. Networking also teaches you how to help others. You’ll learn how to meet people and how to talk to them about your own experiences and how they relate to their work. You’ll also learn how to find out what they like and dislike so you know how to tailor your resume, cover letter, and interview answers to best connect with the hiring manager’s needs.
Start with your goals — What do you want to achieve through networking? After you’ve determined why you want to network, you can begin to think about how you can improve networking skills based on your goals. For example, if you want to get better at networking with employers, you can focus your efforts on speaking with more hiring managers. Become more proficient at email — It’s often the best way for you to meet others, especially if you’re looking for a job. Plus, it’s a great tool for staying in touch with your network. Get comfortable with small talk — One of the biggest networking mistakes is people talking too much about themselves. Don’t be that person who drone-feeds every detail of their life story. Instead, focus on getting to know the other person as well as you can.
While networking is a crucial part of finding jobs and building connections, it can also be intimidating to people who’ve never tried it before. You might feel you don’t know what to say or how to approach people. Luckily, there are three different types of networkers, and you can be more of each one. – The Collaborator: This type of networker focuses on making connections with other people, not with companies. They like to collaborate with others to solve common problems. They try to approach people in groups of three or more and are probably comfortable approaching strangers. – The Connector: This type of networker focuses on building strong relationships with people, not with companies. They like to use referrals to bring people together, and are probably comfortable talking to people who are not strangers. They might prefer to approach people from an angle and then follow up by using a referral. – The Salesperson: This type of networker focuses on getting jobs and building contacts for future sales. They like to meet with hiring managers, and are probably comfortable speaking to people who are not strangers. They might prefer to make initial contact with people and then follow up by using a referral.
There are so many networking opportunities out there, and you might feel like you’ll never find one that is right for you. Don’t be discouraged! There is a way to find quality networking opportunities. In fact, when you know where to look, you’ll find more than you could have ever imagined. Here are some tips for finding quality networking opportunities: Keep a journal – This journal could be about anything — your job search, family, your goals. When you find a topic you’d like to write more about, you can use your journal as a networking opportunity. You might want to find a networking event that has a topic that you can connect with. Look online – There are so many online networking opportunities available now, and they don’t all have to be in-person. You can find online meetings or online job boards or even online forums that are specific to your industry.
– Don’t be a pushover. No one is going to approach you. – Do start by meeting one person at a time and try to get to know them on a personal level before you talk about work. – Don’t network just for the sake of networking. Focus your efforts on finding quality people who can help you in your job search. – Don’t focus on what you have to offer others. Focus on what you can offer others. – Do put your best foot forward when you go out to network. Dress professionally and carry a notepad and pen. – Don’t be afraid to leave a networking event. There is no shame in using networking while you are out.
Networking is a great way to meet people in a casual setting and get to know them better. You can use these strategies to meet new people, exchange names, and keep in touch with your existing network. While networking can be scary, it doesn’t have to be. You can meet new people and make connections, increase your chances of finding a job, and find quality connections who can help you. Keep in mind that networking is an investment in your career. You may not see results right away, but networking is a great way to build connections in the long run.
By Tiffany Aquino
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