Networking Skills

Definition: 

Networking—the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically, the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.networking is not just about making friends and acquaintances. More than that, it is creating relationships and forming a connection with people you would like to know better who may have an impact or contribution to your professional life such as a change in career or a growth in business. More importantly, the process itself is a two-way street, meaning you develop new relations that can be to your advantage and at the same time, you get to offer a benefit in return.

Developing a Networking Strategy

• Provide a clear and specific purpose for expanding your network. Know the type of people you want to meet, where you can likely meet them, and find out the things you want to learn.

• Think of what you are capable of giving or contributing to the people you may encounter. Always bear in mind that networking works beneficially between and among individuals.

• Plan your networking by preparing a list of the number of contacts you need to make and the ways you can get in touch with them after the initial meeting.

• Business cards and calling cards are useful tools to promote yourself.

• Document a record of your contacts and keep these records with accurate information details for future use

Skills Needed in Networking

• Effective questioning ability

• Good conversational skills

• Rapport-building skill

• Showing genuine interest in people

• Use of proper and appropriate body language and expressions

• Flexibility and adaptability in various situations as well as different personalities

• Confidence-building and assertiveness

Importance of Networking

1. It  Allows You to Help Others

One of the most important benefits of networking that people tend to overlook is that it allows you to help other people. Granted, our motives in the professional world are rarely altruistic, but helping someone else with their career goals can be truly rewarding. Think of helping someone get their first job for example or putting in a good word to help someone get the promotion they’ve been after for the past two years.

2. Exchange Fresh Ideas

Most of us try to stay up to date with changes in our fields either through continuing our education or via reading up on industry news, but there’s a wealth of knowledge out there which you can gain access to by simply talking to other professionals in your industry.

3. Makes You More Visible

What many professionals fail to understand is that the fight for visibility and standing apart from competition does not end once you get the job. In fact, making yourself more visible in the workplace is not only harder, but it also requires a lot more skill.

4. Opens Doors to New Opportunities 

Precisely because networking makes you more visible, it also opens new doors. From getting approached by recruiters about job opportunities, to getting noticed by people who would like to work with you on a freelance basis, you never know when an opportunity that can advance your career will present itself.

5. Allows You to Express Opinions

Unlike your friends and family, a professional network is there to share opinions about the industry and exchange information. You can discuss industry related matters that you have been thinking about and ask for advice whenever you reach an impasse.

6. Expands Your Support Network

Another benefit is that it helps you build a support network that can assist you at every stage of your career. Let’s say that you are interviewing with a company; in an open network, there will be someone who’s gone through the same process in the past which means that they can give you advice and tips on how to conduct yourself and what to expect.

7. Gets You Promoted

According to many studies, having an open network is a predictor of success and it ensures promotions and salary increases. Remember that connecting with other professionals gives you insight and makes you more visible, attributes that any boss values and looks to reward.

8. Boosts Your Self-Esteem

It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about networking benefits, but the boost to your self-esteem is something to consider. Knowing people, being asked about your opinions and ideas and getting asked to introduce people can be quite the social thrill, and it’s exactly what you need especially if you are an introvert who’s looking to advance themselves in a cut-throat business environment.

9. It Becomes Your Resource

You probably have tonnes of questions about your industry that not even Google can help you with. Talking to other professionals (and this includes colleagues) can help you resolve these questions.

10. Influence Things Positively

Sometimes all our careers need is an influencer who can help things go our way and that’s what a professional network does a lot of the time. It puts in a good word and applies pressure whenever it’s necessary. It’s an aid in helping you achieve your goals, and this is precisely why taking active steps towards building and maintaining a network is essential.

 


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