Networking is better than one of these!
Human beings are wired for connection and relationships. Sure there are some folks who deviate from this world (watch Life Below Zero on NATGEO for some examples) but generally speaking, we seek connection.
Moving from a purely biological perspective though, connection, via networking, is a key component of career success. You’ve probably heard that 60 – 80 percent of all jobs are discovered through networks. If that’s true, and I believe that number is actually higher, then you better start networking!
What is networking?
Networking is the act of building a professional connection with another human being for the purpose of developing skills, revealing opportunities, and sharing knowledge.
What is NOT networking?
- Posting political commentary on LinkedIn or Facebook.
- Forcing business cards on strangers at a networking event.
- Amassing a huge list of people whose names you drop in order to look important.
- Building a network for the sole purpose of benefitting yourself only.
Another way to look at it?
A network is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it becomes.
I know lots of folks who are embarrassed to reach out to a network when they’ve lost a job or need a lead. It’s because they know they’ve not worked the network before and don’t want to look selfish reaching out in time of need. How do you prevent this? Work your network!
Here’s How:
- Make networking a practice. Reach out to people in your network on a regular basis. This includes calls for no other reason than to say hello. It means forwarding a link from an article on a subject your networking colleague is interested in. It’s sending a card in the mail periodically to check in.
- Make networking a REGULAR practice. Do the above frequently. The right time varies but if people hear from you enough to remember you when an opportunity is there, you know you’ve hit the mark. I have an email subscriber list that hears from me once a week. I rarely if ever try to sell them anything. I do however hear from them when they need a speaker for an event or have some sort of organizational problem they need me to help them solve.
All of us have valuable skills, resources, and knowledge. We have it not only for our own benefit, but for that of others. By not networking, I believe you’re wasting your best stuff. This week, make an effort to develop a networking plan and strategy. You may be the missing link in somebody else’s success…and maybe that somebody will return the favor!