What’s the first thing people tell you when job hunting?
You’ve got to network!
When people think of networking, they usually envision cocktail parties and black-tie events where business cards are exchanged and high-profile deals are made.
However, this is one very small (and rare) facet of networking.
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What is the purpose of career networking?
Think of career networking as a lifestyle. Professionals who make networking a lifestyle and perfect this skill tend to benefit from the most lucrative opportunities and relationships by:
Establishing trust
Relationship building requires trust. Career networking is essential to a young professional, as it establishes trust with industry leaders.
Build a support system
You’ve possibly heard, “your network is your net worth”. Any person seeking advancement in their career needs a solid network to leverage. If you’re seeking career opportunities while between jobs or building a client base, your network can be that lifeline.
Identifying people’s needs
The purpose of career networking is not to make small talk. It’s getting to know key players within your industry and ascertain their needs. Once you know what the market needs and the skills necessary to fulfill them, you become more valuable.
Career advancement
The formula of sending out generic job applications or emails to multiple employers and hoping for a phone call is long obsolete. Nowadays, a lot of hiring decisions occur through recommendations by people who know qualified candidates. Career networking is essential for this.
Why spend time on career networking?
The career networking lifestyle requires time and commitment to cultivate genuine networking relationships.
Avoid exploiting people
People will not readily respond to you if they discern, you’re only after them for some selfish ambition. For this very reason, many elevator pitches fall flat because they sound too ‘salesy’. You need to spend time on building your solid network because solid relationships need time to grow. Trust and respect are rarely earned overnight.
Exchange ideas and solutions
Nowadays, with career networking, you need more activities than distributing business cards. These activities – interacting, exchanging ideas and providing solutions need time.
Identifying the relevant people
It is critical that you identify the persons you want in your support system. Who are the industry leaders you want to learn from? What sort of relationships can help you grow? Finding these people, also requires sufficient planning and time.
Who to network with?
Remember, the quality of your life ultimately depends on the people you let into it. Network with people who can add value to your professional life and vice versa. When seeking such persons consider the following:
- Where am I headed?
- Who are the people who can help me?
- How do I connect with them?
Where am I headed?
What is your role within a specific industry? For example, if you’re seeking to enter the I.T field – be specific. Do you want to go into network architecture? Systems management? Cyber security? Entrepreneurship? Be clear as to where you’re heading, so you what kind of professionals to seek out.
Who are the people who can help me?
Seek out persons who can serve as fuel for your career. Persons who have a wealth of industry experience, influence or knowledge who can give you valuable advice and training. Networking is also a great way of meeting coaches, mentors and role models.
Expert leaders in theory & practice
Persons who have walked the walk and have put their knowledge into action by creating something remarkable. Examples include established skilled workers, entrepreneurs, CEOs, sales people, technicians or teachers.
Multiple perspectives
Our Caribbean cultural and intellectual diversity is an asset. Reach out to people who have a difference in work ethic, opinion or world view. You may not agree, but the differences in perspective broadens your sense of the world.
How do I connect with them?
Connecting with people has changed since the advent of social media as well as the global pandemic which has seen physical meetings go towards the digital space. Therefore, you may find yourself interacting virtually to meet new people and forge professional relationships.
Virtual networking tips
When building these virtual relationships, it is important to consider:
Starting from a familiar place
LinkedIn is the professional platform to network, but start by interacting with persons whom you already know or have worked with such as past co-workers, school alumni, tertiary club members and general acquaintances.
After you’ve had a clear idea of whom you want to connect with, send a brief introductory statement. Introduce yourself, say why you’re connecting, highlight something on their profile that may have caught your attention and ask if they’d be open to chatting with you.
Have a strong presentation
There is simply no excuse for not having a profile photo. Hardly any professional will connect and network with you if they can’t identify who are you. Have a clear, professional headshot, update your work experience, and free your platform of any suggestive or controversial content. The more updated your profile, the more it shows up in searches by other people.
Timing is everything
Remember, career networking takes time. Don’t slide into someone’s inbox with an elevator pitch, sales offer, or asking for random favours. Strangers typically do not help strangers. Take your time, interact, and build a relationship through open and honest communication.
Focus on quality, not quantity
Exchange career experiences, stories, advice and opinions. Skip the generic topics and get to know people.
Take it offline
Virtual relationships don’t have to stay limited online. You can always ask to meet up, have a zoom meeting, cup of coffee or business lunch. Remember, sufficient rapport and trust must first be laid down before you take this step.
Advantages of networking
Career networking, when performed right opens you to multiple advantages:
Asset to your qualifications
Many persons may not have post-graduate degrees, but have reached seniority level due to knowing the right people. If you are that candidate with the necessary qualifications, but also a strong, lucrative network, you’ll be virtually unstoppable!
Makes you a skilled individual
Candidates who can network effectively also become great communicators, problem-solvers and negotiators. Career networking also helps develop public speaking skills, empathy, public relations, self-presentation and resourcefulness.
Professional & personal growth
When you network, you don’t just advance career-wise, but you also grow as a person, especially as greater opportunities become available to you.
Leads to you dream job
Perhaps, your dream job entails stepping out of your comfort zone, meeting the right people and making a favourable and lasting impression.
