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Professional networking is about building and maintaining relationships with the people in your field. It can be the people you work with or others in your industry who may be able to help you in your career journey.
Networking is an incredibly important part of any professional career, but many people shy away from it. Some find it too difficult, while others question its importance. But, networking is one of the best ways that you can build and nurture your career.
In this article, we’re going to look at a few different methods of networking and how they can help you to build a stable career. Keep reading to find out more.
Methods Of Networking
You’ll be glad to know that in-person networking isn’t the only method of meeting new people in your industry. With the advent of social media and other forms of technology, networking is the easiest it has ever been.
Below, we have summarized some easy methods you can use to begin networking with others in your field.
Take Advantage Of Social Media
Social media has its negative aspects, but for networking, it is one of the best tools you can use. From Instagram and Twitter to LinkedIn, there are so many different avenues of connecting with people through social media.
Following or connecting with people in your field who inspire you is not only a great way to see their content, but it also puts you in touch with them. You can send direct messages to certain individuals, interact with their content, and get the ball rolling on a lucrative relationship.
Networking over social media is a great way to start, especially if you find it more difficult to network in person.
Reach Out For A Coffee Chat
While social media is a good stepping stone for beginning professional relationships, once you’ve begun to develop a relationship with someone, you should move the relationship off of social media.
Instead of bombarding people in your field with questions over Instagram, you could ask them to meet up for a coffee. Heading out for a coffee chat with someone you admire is a great way to build the relationship further.
Head Out To Networking Events (Or Events In Your Field That Involve Networking)
If one-on-one meetings aren’t your thing, networking events could be a good place for you to network. Networking events, and other events in your field, are the perfect place to meet people in your industry – you’re basically in a room full of people who can help you advance in your career!
Join conversations, take down details, and use these events as a place to lay the groundwork to build a few professional relationships.
Don’t Ask For A Job, Aim To Build A Connection
While the aim of networking is job growth and career advancement, it is more important to build a relationship than outright asking for a job. You may ask for a job they don’t have at the moment and it could come across as though you’re using them to advance your career.
If you build a relationship with another person in your field, however, they’re more likely to let you know when jobs come up that you’re suited for and may even recommend you for roles within their organization. In addition, job growth doesn’t always come from getting a new job with higher pay.
By building professional relationships, you have someone to turn to for advice that knows your industry as well as you do. This kind of guidance can be useful for both brand new jobs and for growth in your current occupation.
Take The Opportunity To Help Others
Relationships go both ways, and no one will stick around long if you spend all of your time asking for favours from them without giving anything in return. Make sure you hold up your end of the professional relationship by offering advice, letting people know about jobs that might suit them, and recommending your colleagues for roles you think they’d be great in.
Ask For Suggestions On How To Keep Building Your Network
Networking can be intimidating, especially if you’re new in the field. People who have been in the industry for longer than you have probably found handy ways of building their network and they may be willing to offer you some tips too.
Don’t shy away from asking for advice from people in your field, after all, good networking is key to a good career.
Follow Up After The Initial Conversation
After meeting someone who you think could be a good contact to have, make sure to reach out after your initial meeting. This is a great way to start a back-and-forth and build what you’ve got into a useful professional relationship.
This may be a quick email or a connection on social media. However, you do it, make sure you do it sooner rather than later so that they remember you!
Try Joining A Committee Or Professional Organization In Your Field
Committees and organizations within your field are groups of people in your industry that meet up regularly. Joining a group is an easy way of networking within your field on a regular basis. It can be an incredibly natural way to build professional relationships too.
Set Some Goals For Yourself When Networking
Having a plan of what you want to achieve from networking makes it much easier to go out and do it. Before networking events, you should give yourself a goal of making one or two new connections in your field to ensure that the event has helped you to grow in your career.
Try setting goals each time you attend an event so that you gradually build an extensive professional network.
Be Sure To Prepare Your ‘Elevator Pitch’ About Yourself & Your Career
When you’re at events, getting tongue-tied isn’t an option, so make sure you have your elevator pitch ready. Networking is all about selling yourself and showing people why you’d be a great person to get connected with.
You can practice your elevator pitch at home to get it right and even ask for advice from others in your current network before heading out to meet new people.
An elevator pitch should be short but informative and should show the value that you bring to your field. There are countless examples and guides online to help you curate a compelling pitch, whatever your industry.
If You Are Looking For A Great College To Study At, Call Citi College Today!
Citi College is a private career college, dedicated to producing industry-ready graduates. We offer an extensive list of courses and offer workshops and guidance in a variety of soft skills to help you start the career you want.
Networking can feel intimidating at first, but here at Citi College, we can help you to build your confidence and your network while you study with us. To find out more information about Citi College, get in touch today!