You can get far in your profession if you put in the time and effort to build a solid network. It comes as a surprise, then, that so many individuals lack the knowledge necessary to carry this out successfully. Not knowing enough about the subject, they lose time and effort and fail to build the kind of network that will help them achieve their goals.
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Use caution and forethought.
To effectively network for professional progress, one must take a planned approach. Identify your primary goals, whether they are short-term, long-term, or a combination of the two. Once you know for sure what you want to do, you can start planning out how to get there, taking into account both your current network and the people you’ll need to meet along the way. The next step is to make a list of everyone in your company and industry who might be able to help you. Include possible mentors and sponsors in your network, and set out a strategy to raise your profile in their eyes, either directly or through intermediaries.
Think ahead.
Be strategic and focused in your networking efforts after you’ve established your end objective and possible contacts. Finding time to network is difficult for many women because of the demands of work and family life. One of my top pieces of advise is to make connections with other people. You should schedule networking events as part of your work week. Set aside time on your schedule for meetings over coffee or lunch. Once you’ve scheduled time to connect with others, keep those appointments. Be strategic about your networking efforts.
Dare to take the bold stance.
The reality is, let’s be honest here. Socializing with others who are most like to us is where we feel most at ease. They share our appearance, our education, and our worldviews. However, your sphere of influence and knowledge will expand thanks to the inclusion of people from other backgrounds in your network. It’s important to have representation from multiple generations and a wide range of job functions and occupations. In addition to people you know at your present workplace, you should also reach out to experts in your field, people you knew in undergrad and grad school, and the supervisors and coworkers you had at past jobs to expand your network.
Observe uniformity.
Successful networkers know the value of maintaining relationships with their contacts. They stick around and try to find new ways to help out. It could be as simple as a regular check-in or as involved as sharing news about an impending event. Believe in ways to get them talking about a subject you think will interest them, then use those ideas to encourage comments and questions. Keep in touch with your contacts to ensure the continued viability of your network.
Assist others.
A strong bond is one in which both parties gain something from the relationship. Consider how you may be of service to the people you’re in contact with and how you can aid them in accomplishing their goals. It’s a well-known fact that asking inquiries about the other person’s work and struggles is a great way to start a networking conversation, but imagine how much more effective it would be if you didn’t start with a request for yourself. Put together your value offer and your work, and explain how you might be able to help the client.
