5 Tips for Effective Networking
“You’re only as good as the company you keep” — While this oft-quoted phrase is generally used in reference to personal relationships, it also applies to professional ones. Networking, or the process of interacting with others to develop and leverage professional contacts, is invaluable to career growth. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss some helpful tips to help you build your network and utilize it to achieve career success.
Network before job searching— start by building relationships within your industry and reaching out to previously made professional contacts. This will help you have some insight into the current job market, as well as put your name in the forefront of colleagues’ minds, potentially leading them to reach out about job openings.
Use social media—make sure that you not only keep an up-to-date LinkedIn profile, but that your online presence in general reflects well on you. Social networking sites like LinkedIn and Twitter are great ways to connect and network with industry professionals.
Be purposeful when making connections— when networking, whether in-person or online, make sure you have a purpose and plan behind each connection you make. When chatting with other industry professionals, it’s imperative to have meaningful and valuable conversations that don’t just sit at surface level. Make a lasting impression by planning ahead with relevant questions.
Follow up with new connections right away— A list of 500 plus connections on LinkedIn means nothing if you haven’t done anything to foster a professional relationship with most of them. Reach out to your network. See a job opening that might be a great fit for someone you know is looking? Send that post to them and let them know! Have a field-related question that a recent connection may be able to answer for you? Message them and ask for their professional opinion! Networking doesn’t have to exhausting or intensive.
Stay in touch— So, you’ve made some worthwhile connections— that’s great! But don’t forget to keep the professional relationship alive. How can you do this in a meaningful way? See the tips above; same advice applies.
With these tools in your tool belt, you’re ready to embark on your networking journey.
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