You never know when an opportunity to network may present itself. It might happen at a conference, book signing, dinner party hosted by a friend, or even coincidentally while riding public transportation.
You are pressured to create a good impression in any of these situations so that your new acquaintance will believe you are the ideal candidate for the job when the time is right.
With these 15 tried-and-true strategies, you can network like a boss and convert a fortunate meeting into a job opportunity!
What is Job Networking?
Networking is establishing productive working connections with coworkers or people outside of an organization in a business setting.
By doing this, you will be able to benefit from the experiences of others, which will expand your expertise and create new business prospects.
Making business contacts, picking up fresh ideas, and even getting free career guidance and job openings are all advantages of networking.
Fifteen Networking Tips to Get You Your Dream Job
1. Do It
Many people don’t fail at networking because they’re too shy or intimidated even to approach someone influential. Well, the well-worn phrases “you’ve got to be in to win it” and “no pain, no gain” apply here.
If you’re polite, direct, and accommodating, you should be able to have a short exchange. Also, if you’re shot down, that may not be the kind of person you want to work for anyway. But the first move is always yours!
2. Adjust Your Perspective
When meeting people, think beyond what you can get from them and consider what you can give them. This one little thought can make a huge difference.
Instead of being nervous about seeming needy and greedy, you feel confident because of what you can offer and how you can help. It changes everything about the networking process.
3. Ditch the Pitch
Networking is about building relationships; selling is only a tiny aspect of networking and comes way down the list.
There’s far less pressure when the discussion is light and informal. Remember, you’re just getting to know someone, not selling them, so the goal is to engage in conversation to lay a foundation for a friendship.
People are much more likely to recommend or do business with others they feel authentically connected to, especially when that connection is based on something other than the business.
In addition, consider your interests, identity, and community and make those important aspects work for you.
4. Remember Your Internal Network
While you’re busy developing your network with individuals external to your organization, it’s important not to forget networking with those you work with on a day-to-day basis or those you ‘know of’ who are also employed by the same company as you.
Although they might not seem like a valuable connection as they are under the same roof as you, they may be a good asset to your career course in the long term as different people leave and join various companies.
To successfully network with your immediate and wider team, make sure you are visible at work events to get to know people on a personal level and regularly showcase the great work you and the team are doing.
You can also come together for brainstorming and ideas-sharing sessions.
5. When Necessary, Pitch Like a Pro Would
That said, be ready if and when the opportunity arises and someone asks about your product or service! Please give them the Cliffs Notes version of what you do and what’s so special about you.
Keep it short (probably 60 – 90 seconds maximum), and touch on the highlights of your company. Share your passion and commitment.
Networking is about the people behind the product, so focus on why someone would want to do business with you. In addition, practice until you can do it without sounding released, pushed, or unnatural.
6. Talk Less and Listen More
How will you know what you can do for someone if you’re the one doing all the talking? You can’t. So, ask questions and be genuinely interested in the answers.
Then, ask more questions and continue to glean information. That’s how you form the best personal relationships that lead to strong business partnerships.
7. Select the Suitable Group
It’s much easier to be personable when you feel comfortable, so choose your opportunities carefully and start where you’ll most easily fit in.
Determine if you’d feel more at home in a social environment revolving around community service, a conference, a class, or a professional development environment.
Also, focus on networking with communities and groups whose members naturally connect with your business. After you get your feet wet and practice, you can diversify the groups you meet and events you attend.
8. Practice the Habit of Everyday Networking
You don’t need to wait for some big event to network; look for opportunities to meet and talk to people. Every chat you have with someone is an opportunity to learn something new.
Every new person you talk to is someone you can help and a potential future resource for you. It all goes back to the mindset we started with.
If you’re coming from a position of giving instead of taking, it will be much easier!
9. Practice Until it’s Flawless
Just do it. And do it again! The more you network, the easier it will be, and the better you’ll get at it.
Before you know it, networking behavior will become second nature. You will also gain confidence and new connections, which will help you achieve business.
10. Early Networker Captures the Contacts
Arriving fashionably late is usually the cool thing to do, but not in the case of networking. Arriving early has the advantage of being less crowded, and you won’t have to interrupt people to start a conversation.
Networkers usually have ample time and energy to talk to each other and hold useful and meaningful conversations.
11. Avoid Competing
Even at events filled mostly with people in your industry, networking opportunities are high. There is no better place to get and share advice, learn from others’ successes and failures, and bounce ideas off peers.
If local competition concerns you, focus on virtual networking events where you can meet industry peers who sell outside your market. Meanwhile, networking within your field also opens a big opportunity for referrals.
12. Keep Business Cards Handy
Business cards are the currency of networking events! Ensure you have them and trade them. If you want to go the extra mile, make business cards with a unique color, shape, or humorous content.
However, don’t be funny just for fun’s sake; people might use them to remove food from their teeth.
13. Remember to Follow Up
Networking doesn’t stop when you get that business card or email address; that is just the starting point. If you toss the cards in a desk drawer and forget about them, you may not have taken them in the first place.
Within a couple of days after meeting someone, add the person to your contact list with as much information about them as possible. Add them to your LinkedIn network, too.
Think of a simple way you can help them or an introduction you might make for them, and then call or email. Take the time and make an effort to connect regularly.
14. Don’t Ignore the Networks You Already Have
You may have noticed in your personal life how easy it can be to take your existing relationships for granted. The same is true in business.
Take the time to show a little love to those who helped get you where you already are. How? Send a thank-you email. Forward an interesting article or link.
Make a date for lunch or coffee to get caught up. You can also introduce them to someone they should know but don’t. Not only will your business benefit, but you’ll likely enjoy the interaction as much as they do.
15. Quality, not Quantity
One quality connection is more valuable than 20 superficial ones! However, you probably need those 20 superficial ones to get to that jewel.
(This is similar to dating). So small-talk like it’s your job until it’s your time to shine bright like the star you are!
Benefits of Networking
Networking is the best way to find a job because:
- People conduct business primarily with people they know and like. Resumes and cover letters alone are often too impersonal to convince employers to hire you.
- Job listings tend to draw piles of applicants, which puts you in fierce competition with many others. However, networking makes you a recommended member of a much smaller pool.
- The job you want may be advertised elsewhere. But with networking, you can get such information and job leads. Often before a formal job description is created or a job is announced.