Networking is an essential skill when it comes to career success. Whether you are a sales person or business owner searching for the next sales lead, someone who’s waiting to be head-hunted for the perfect role, or a person looking for mentors who can help you climb the career ladder, you need to network.
Think about it this way: you never know how important the next person you meet is to your future. And you never know where you’ll meet them. So be ready to network at every opportunity and make a plan to use your network to get ahead.
Making New Contacts
Believe it or not, you already have a network, and so does everyone within that network. Use these intersecting networks to meet potentially valuable contacts for your career. Be confident in speaking about your skill set and how it might be useful to those you come in contact with. It is important to come across as a passionate and committed person because enthusiasm is contagious. Half-hearted networking just doesn’t work.
One reason that many of us shy away from ‘networking’ is because we feel we are pushing ourselves onto people who aren’t interested in engaging with us. But don’t forget that when you introduce yourself to someone who may be useful to your career, they are also meeting someone who has the potential to help them. Networking is a win/win situation.
Keeping New Contacts
When you have established a rapport with a potential contact and you’d like to file them into your ‘network’ for future opportunities, be bold and ask them if they have a business card or phone number in case you’d like to contact them in the future. Remind them that you may be able to offer services that will be helpful in the future – there is no need to feel like you are asking for a favour.
Two or three days after you’ve met the new contact, email or call to say it was lovely to meet them and you hope to be in touch soon. This might sound intense, but it is the best way to establish a long-term relationship.
Using Your Network
When you come across something that might interest them, be it a conference they would like to attend, a sales lead, a news article or a job opportunity, shoot it through to them on an email. This will keep you on their radar and remind them to look out for similar opportunities for you.
If your initial contact can’t help you, ask them if they can refer you to someone who can. The beauty of new business recommendations is that they come with a ready-made testimonial and they are free!
So, don’t be shy, put your best networking foot forward and make some contacts.
To practise your networking skills, it is a great idea to join a formal networking group:
Business Chicks: https://www.businesschicks.com.au/
She Business: https://www.shebusiness.com/
Women’s Network Australia: www.womensnetwork.com.au/
Business Networking And Referrals: www.bni.com.au/
