How to Get Better at Networking: A Critical and Learnable Skill

Take a look through some of the current opportunities to join us. Has their help allowed you to achieve something? Congratulate them when they’ve achieved something noteworthy – perhaps a promotion, or just recognition for a job well done.

All the connections in the world won’t help you find a job if no one knows about your situation. Once you’ve drawn up your list, start making contact with the people in your network. Be specific about what kind of work you’re looking for and ask them if they have any information or know anyone in a relevant field. Don’t assume that certain people won’t be able to help. You already belong to many networks (family, friends, colleagues, fellow civic club members, etc.) and your job search network can be natural outgrowth of these primary contacts.

• Approaching a big or small group can be intimidating.
• “Be authentic, share your passions, and help other people feel good about themselves or be successful — that’s all you have to do to network,” he says.
• In everyday life, look for ways to form connections with others, share information about yourself professionally and build relationships that could help you in your career.
• The second list will be people you want to meet.

This is one of my favorite networking techniques. Whenever I meet someone who I’d like to add to my network, I always make a point to find them on social media or visit their website and email or message them. I’ve mentioned this already but it’s worth repeating. To be great at networking, you need to add value first. This means connecting with people and offering to help them in some way.

And once again your timing couldn’t be more perfect. I am in the middle of a job search that began two months ago and have been networking like crazy. People help who they like, so it pays to heed your advice of befriending your network. Take an interest in others, ask questions, and more importantly listen and remember.Once in a while, think of two people who should know each other but don’t, and introduce them. Follow up with them later to learn whether that introduction was worthwhile, so you can get better at making introductions.

Networking IRL: Building Relationships and Creating Opportunities

As you do this, strategize the best ways to connect with each individual. For example, if you’re meeting for the first time, focus on making a great first impression. Or, if you already know the person, find ways to talk to them more often by setting up monthly coffee dates. If you are afraid that you’ll freeze up or get tongue-tied in a social setting, prepare in advance. Think of ice-breaker questions you can ask people when you meet them so you don’t stand around sweating.

Ideally, this will help you conduct a conversation that is comfortable and show that you are interested. It’s likely that, at one time or another, the person you are networking with was a college student, just like you. Get insight from someone who has been through the same process as you. People usually like to be asked for help – it means that you value their opinion and see them as a good source of information. It’s helpful to clearly tell those that you contact that you don’t expect them to have a job for you, but rather you are seeking information and advice. Your first connection at an event is your gateway to meeting more people.

If you’re not networking, you’re not growing your career. Networking is your career lifeblood—whether you work for someone else or are an entrepreneur. You can have the best skills or concept in the world, but if you aren’t making new connections and expanding your reach, your efforts are going to stagnate pretty quickly.

How to Make a Graceful Career Change

This is where incremental cost platforms come in so handy—you can see and watch what other people are doing, something we tend to forget when we’re busy posting selfies and tweeting madly. One contact at a time, and by bringing who you are offline to your interactions online. Healthcare law covers a broad spectrum of legal work. While all attorneys in this practice area focus on the healthcare industry, what they do daily varies widely.

If you’re considering a career change, what new jobs do you feel drawn to? When you’re at the beginning of professional relationship, ask questions of people that will encourage them to share their own stories. Any work activity becomes more attractive when it’s linked to a higher goal. We’ve seen this approach help female executives overcome their discomfort about pursuing relationships with journalists and publicists.

Talk about something you are passionate about. You may find like-minded people or make others feel more comfortable talking about what is important to them. Either way, share something interesting instead of the usual small talk. If you make a connection with people and then only get in touch when you need something from them, it’s easy to make them feel exploited. Avoid the trap by keeping in contact with them.

Follow Up With Your Connections To Make Them Long Lasting

2020 and 2021 were years of immense change and unpredictability for the event industry, due to COVID-19. The greatest challenge was combatting Zoom fatigue and providing a memorable experience that reflected positively on our company’s brand despite the limitations of a virtual environment. I learned to be more creative and utilize annotations, polling, gift boxes, and UberEats vouchers to deliver unique events that ultimately generated sales. This conference was incredibly successful, attracting high-level executives at Fortune 500 companies and earning much more in revenue than the in-person conference. This event was a success due to my refusal to stick with the status quo.

Maybe they came with friends they can introduce you to, or maybe you’ll decide to break into bigger groups together. Buffet and Gates say that too many people have an unstructured approach to networking. As a result, they end up surrounded by people who aren’t ambitious, and who don’t motivate them to achieve their goals. Strong networking skills are one of the most useful abilities you can have. Unfortunately, it’s usually not something we’re born with – you’ll have to practice to improve.

It’s okay to mention them if it makes sense in the conversation — just make sure you’re not bragging too much. If they’re a big player in your field, mention something specific about their work that you appreciate. Perhaps they wrote a book you enjoyed, gave a great presentation, or accomplished something notable in your field. It’s okay to gush a little and ask questions about their accomplishments — everyone likes to feel flattered.

Just because you have an agenda doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy reconnecting. Chat with other parents at the playground or at school events. Are you involved in an affinity group or diversity initiative? Those can be great venues to build connections based on shared heritage or interests.

Ask people questions about themselves.

Set expectations.Let people know how and when you’ll contact them . Andrew Vest, Chief Problem Solver, entrepreneur and father, loves to build products that people actually get tangible value out of using (@Redapt @YEC @preferling @brandbuddee). First impressions can be lasting impressions. Alternatively, consider asking them “Have you seen anyone from tonight? I’ve been meaning to chat with them.” This will kindly express that it’s important to you to expand your network.

While last year might have been a bit on the rocky side for the biotechnology industry, many companies are starting to find their footing again in 2023. The demand for biofuels is expected to rise over the next several years and as such, there will be many new opportunities and avenues for employment. Images courtesy YEC The Young Entrepreneur Council is an invite-only nonprofit organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. Be specific when describing your ideal targets.This specificity can be related to job leads, sales leads, dating interests, or otherwise. If your contact has an important meeting or proposal, remember and contact him/her to wish him/her luck and ask how he/she did.

You feel like you’re drowning in a sea of free pens and advertising boards. Why are you talking about how good the canapés are? You are meant to be connecting with ‘like-minded individuals’. You’re here to promote yourself, not the ability of the catering company. You never do know, so it’s best to keep an open-mind versus a transactional mindset when you’re networking.

Adaptability is effectively adjusting and responding to different circumstances, individuals, and places. It is a crucial aspect of networking since the ultimate goal is to establish strong connections with people. It’s one thing to meet; it’s another to keep the relationship going. Make sure to add your new connections on LinkedIn or exchange phone numbers.

But this is a clunky experience that wastes your time and theirs. Business cards tell people how to find you and are quick to exchange. You can even include a QR code on your LinkedIn profile. Humility is a noble trait, but don’t sell yourself short. Make sure you can clearly articulate your skills and what you can bring to a team or prospective client.