WHY NETWORKING MATTERS: 6 ESSENTIAL STRATEGIES FOR BUILDING A STRONG NETWORK

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

  NETWORKING: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 

Networking is the process of building and maintaining strong  genuine relationship between individuals for the exchange of information or valuable  resources, mentorship and access to opportunities.

 It is essential to establishing relationships and developing a successful professional career.

Despite the fact that it could appear simple, many individuals dread it and would rather have imaginary chats than interact with people in person.

 WHO SHOULD BE PART OF YOUR NETWORK?

Family, friends, and peers:  They are your inner circle and easiest connections. Don't overlook them.

Coworkers/colleagues: Your current and former colleagues are valuable network assets. Make a good impression.

Experts in your field: Seasoned professionals in your industry can offer guidance and support. Always include them in your network.

Others include:

 Religious community members

 Contact list connections

 Social media acquaintances

HOW TO MEET YOUR NETWORK

To meet people you can connect with, you have to put yourself in the right place at the right time. This is essential to getting the most out of networking. Here are some ways to connect with people.

1.      ATTEND EVENTS TO CONNECT WITH NEW PEOPLE

You may have trouble networking if you would rather not go to events. Take advantage of networking opportunities by attending industry-related events, such as online workshops or mentorship programs. This will set you up to interact with people, exchange ideas, and learn from them.

2.      JOIN COMMUNITIES TO NETWORK

Communities are essential for fostering relationships. Join professional groups to meet like-minded people, find employment, exchange ideas, and work together.
For instance, becoming a member of a community like Stellar Careers Whatsapp group would  open doors to connect with professionals and have one-on-one conversations.

3.      VOLUNTEER FOR EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

It is crucial in this highly competitive environment of today to volunteer. Working with a varied range of people from different backgrounds is one opportunity volunteering offers. The contacts you build, whether planning an event or assisting a non-profit, may result in beneficial recommendations.

4.      UTILIZE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Social media is one of the best ways to network in today's digital world. You can connect with experts you might not otherwise meet thanks to websites like LinkedIn. Boost your internet presence by making your profiles more optimized, posting relevant content and see how it boosts your connections. 

MYTHS ABOUT NETWORKING 

Many people hold diverse opinions about networking, often based on misconceptions. It’s important to recognize these myths. Below are common misconceptions surrounding networking that you should be aware of:

1.   YOU MUST BE AN EXTROVERT

Some people think networking is exclusive to articulate and talkative people. You're passing up important chances if you have this kind of mindset. How you interact with people shouldn't be determined by your personality. It can be advantageous to have a few numbers of deep connections rather than many superficial ones.

 2.    NETWORKING ONLY WITH EXPERTS

Often, the greatest places to start when networking are with family and friends. Making connections just with professionals in your sector might not always provide the best outcomes. Unbelievably, recommendations from friends and family sometimes have greater weight.

3.    ONLY NETWORK WHEN SEEKING EMPLOYMENT

It is necessary to dispel this myth. Even before you begin your job search, you should be networking. This leads us to our next point: waiting until you really need something can give the impression that you are desperate.

 4.   YOU MUST ONLY MAKE REQUESTS TO YOUR NETWORK

Imagine yourself as the network. Would you want to be taken advantage of constantly? You ought to adopt a different perspective. Networking ought to be a mutually beneficial process that involves two sides. To foster strong relationships, it's important to balance requests with offering support and engaging in meaningful conversations.

In light of these myths, it's time to adopt a new viewpoint and appreciate networking's advantages.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NETWORKING?

These days, networking has many benefits, such as improved career prospects, enduring business connections, and personal development. It improves every aspect of your life. Here are some key benefits of networking that make seizing any opportunity to network essential:

1.    IT HASTENS CAREER GROWTH

It is impossible to exaggerate the value of networking for career advancement. It offers chances to learn expert advice from professionals in your field. You never know who you'll run into, what career advice you might pick up, or what doors might open as a result. Career growth frequently results in personal development and increases brand awareness.                   

2.     HELPS FOSTER RECOMMENDATIONS

Networking + Constant communication = Increased Recommendations/Referrals

Effective networking positions you as a prime candidate for recommendations. Being well-connected makes you an excellent choice for recommendations. In fact, networking makes you more likely to get job referrals; this is true even on professional networking sites like LinkedIn.

What happens if the candidate is someone in your network? You have a far better chance of getting employed if you have a solid relationship with them.

Related Post: Enhancing Communication: How to Improve Communication At Your Workplace

3.     IT PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN ENHANCING YOUR CONFIDENCE

One may ask how confidence is boosted by networking. Networking is a skill that takes time to master; it's not something you do quickly. You can improve your level of confidence in interpersonal communication with consistent practice. Attending social gatherings, joining webinars and listening to others' conversations can serve as eye-openers, boosting your confidence.

4.     ENCOURAGES PROFESSIONAL MENTORING AND IDEA SHARING

Through talks with others, networking enables you to regularly obtain fresh insights and discover innovative methods of doing things.

Making connections with experienced professionals allows you to receive guidance and insights customized to your unique problems. You can also connect with people who are willing to mentor you, share their knowledge, assist you learn new skills, and offer advice on managing industry trends.

NETWORKING STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

Although networking has many facets, becoming proficient in it can offer you a big benefit. In a globally connected society, the following seven tactics can help you effectively network: 

1.    DETERMINE YOUR NETWORKING OBJECTIVES

 Identify the main motivation for networking. Are you establishing a connection with someone who works in your field or just because they seem like a nice person?

Consider the following:

• Why are you networking right now?
• Does the individual work in your field?
• Do you have similar objectives?
• What do you want to get from this person?
• In exchange, what can you offer in return?  

2.    ADOPT A UNIQUE NETWORKING APPROACH

Are you not bored of employing the same old-fashioned networking strategy?  People get exhausted from being asked the same questions over and over.

Try striking up a discussion on light subjects like hobbies or interesting facts. Instead of asking generic questions like 'What do you do?', ask questions that reflect the person's personality, leading to a much deeper connection and giving a lasting impression about you to the person.

Practical Tips:

1. Ask about interests: Ask questions that encourage the person to share their interests. For instance, you could use prompts like: 'Aside from being in the corporate world, what do you enjoy doing in your free time? How have you been balancing it with your work life?'

2. Appreciate their abilities: Ask about that special talent they have. Say: 'I've heard a lot of people talk about how you write; what is it about writing that fascinates you?' Other relevant questions could be:

    - What drives you?

    - What keeps you motivated with all that you've done?

    - What philosophy surrounds all the decisions you make?

 To lighten the atmosphere a little, you could ask questions like: 'Why can't you stop winning?'

3.    BE A GOOD LISTENER

Listen actively to show your level of interest in the conversation. It shows how thoughtful and mindful you are.

Practical Tips:

1. Pay attention. Give the person your undivided attention. Listen carefully to grasp key points.

2. Reflect on the response. Think about what you heard to show that you're following the conversation.

3. Use body language. The power of body language in networking is significant. It helps you avoid interrupting the person while speaking. 

Nod and maintain eye contact. Listening attentively makes people feel valued and shows that you're a good learner.

4.   GIVE COMPLIMENTS

 This is a valuable strategy. It makes people feel appreciated. 70% of people say they are likely to trust someone who gives them genuine compliments. This goes a long way in networking.

Practical Tips:

1. In an initial meeting with someone, you can compliment their appearance. For instance, "Hi! I'm Joel. That's a nice outfit; you look great in it."

2. If the person just finished a presentation, you could say, "That was an excellent presentation. I loved your delivery."

5.    EXPAND CONVERSATION

 Have you been in an awkward conversation where you didn't know what to say? This happens when speaking to someone you just met.

What do you do in a situation like this?

Use the last statement made by the person to start a new conversation. For example, if the person's last statement was, "I love attending cultural events," you could say, "Oh, really? Me too!"

Try this hack, and it will help you reduce that awkward moment.

6.    FOLLOW UP

One of the most important—and difficult—aspects of networking is this. A lot of individuals have a quick conversation, trade contact details, and then neglect to follow up. Send emails, SMS, or messages to your network on a regular basis to demonstrate your dedication to learning and career development.

FINAL THOUGHT

The goal of networking is to establish trusting relationships with people so that you may get support and important information that will advance your career.

Don't be afraid to interact with people. Recall that networking can occur everywhere and at any time. Try to strategically network using this knowledge. Making use of these tips will ensure that the process is both efficient and enjoyable.