Three Principles To Live By For Networking Success

Networking is a combination of meeting new people and developing mutually beneficial relationships inside and outside your industry. Within your network, you gain further references, resources, and marketing opportunities to accelerate your career. The effectiveness of your network will follow of “You get out what you put in” mantra. Many will shy away from persistent networking tactics in fear of being considered overly aggressive or annoying, but that’s not what effective networking is designed to be.

Networking is credited as one of the most popular tools for choosing a candidate, but that should never be the intended purpose. If you are aspiring to create an avenue for success based on your network, here are three fundamental principles you must understand and incorporate into your career daily:

What Networking Is & Is Not

Effective networking is not a practice limited to those seeking assistance. It does not entail calling everyone you know and asking them for favors, nor is it a therapeutic outlet for your problems. It is centralized on the gathering or sharing of information that can be momentous in your job search or current position. When you establish rapport with other career professionals and remain patient, a level of trust ensues, leading to optimal career opportunities. Business cards are often exchanged, but only when there is a legitimate reason to keep in touch. When operating with the right intentions, networking is also a great way to step out of the comfort zones of your personality type, career path, and background.

Do Your Homework

Networking does not have to be time-consuming, but there is an expectation that you will research whom you are communicating with and your connection would be beneficial. If you are attending a networking event (virtual or in-person), you can request a list of guests and prepare specific questions for individuals you plan to introduce yourself to. Stay realistic in what you hope to accomplish, and remember not to expect immediate results. When you pinpoint your objectives, you are setting yourself up for a greater chance of success.

Identify the industries, interests, and position titles with which you hope to establish a connection. Be intentional in blending conversations of your industry or interests into their industry or interests, and vice versa. Find ways to reciprocate the knowledge and wisdom they’ve shared back to their interests and career path.

Networking is an Ongoing Process

Quit generating excuses as to why you don’t have time. If you are not actively maintaining contact with your network or looking to expand upon it, you are practically begging for a rut in your career. Utilize social platforms such as LinkedIn to converse with business professionals that share a job title or industry with you. Be strategic with your work schedule and create blocks of time for lunch, coffee, or a virtual meeting. Your competitors are likely making time for networking, so to reach your highest aspirations, the expectation is that you’ll do the same.

Wrap Up

Networking is not limited to the scheduled events you often see promoted. You can capitalize on your network through a consistent approach and committed effort. Your active involvement will plant seeds for future business and unleash the potential for career opportunities. Whether through a paid networking event, social gathering, doing someone a favor or fostering your relationships, you are completing a form of networking every day. Just remember, the primary goal is to garner knowledge and wisdom, not to strike gold on a new sale or job opportunity.

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Time for a Career Change? Take These 3 Steps to Success

Whether you were recently ‘let go’ or you are simply ready for a new challenge in your career, working towards a new career can be an exciting time. Maybe you’ve lost passion for your work, experienced a change in priorities, or your current job is negatively impacting your mental/physical health. Regardless of what it may be, your happiness is a large part of your success, and forging a new path is your opportunity to pursue new interests and revitalize your career. When the time comes to venture after new goals and job opportunities, you will find that passion and accrued momentum will carry you a long way. No matter where you are at in your career, following these three steps will make your career change a successful one:

“The only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” -Steve Jobs.

Identify Your Transferrable Skills

Pinpoint your job search and map out your transferable skills on paper. Your transferable skills refer to your abilities and work experience applied in a new job or industry. Although they are refined throughout your career, these skills are independent of a specific function and firmly established in who you are as a professional. Some key examples you need to showcase to potential employers include Communication Skills, Analytical Skills, Project Management, Leadership Skills, Teamwork, Critical Thinking, and Adaptability. To demonstrate these abilities, the career experts at Northeastern University emphasize that your cover letter should not be a reiteration of your resume but rather a detailed synopsis. The thoughts and time you pour into your cover letter will play a significant role in presenting yourself as the best candidate.

Why is now the time for a new job? Why are you scared to begin a new career? The career experts at The Muse recommend writing out your responses to these two questions and placing them somewhere you will see them every day.

Capitalize on Your Network

Whether through kind words, career advice, or setting up new connections in your industry, you may never discover how close you are to your next career until you enlist in support of others. Through your friends, family, peers, and superiors, you will be surprised at how far they will go to see you succeed. After all, they likely expect the same of you or have experienced similar support in the past. 

“Fear can’t hit a moving target.” – Todd Herman.

Although the pandemic still has a firm grip on specific networking opportunities, there are ways you can meet with your connections or even create new ones. If there are no networking events near you, start searching for networking webinars or educational webinars in your preferred industry where you can make an introduction. Another alternative is to get in touch with your LinkedIn connections and request a phone call or informational interview conducted over Zoom/Skype. People often are willing to help when they are sought after, so take advantage of it. Even if the individual cannot help you directly, they may connect you with someone better suited for your aspirations and open the door to new opportunities.

Take the Bold Leap

Living in the constant fear of change is sabotaging your success by merely doing nothing. Choosing to begin a new career or job can be difficult, but you will have no need to panic if you follow these principles. Trust your gut instinct, and don’t fear making the small, often unavoidable mistakes along the way. Hesitation will derail the progress you’ve made and indicates that you are not holding tight to your vision. 

You may be just a few steps away from transforming your life and finding the success you long for. If you don’t try, you’ll never find out. If you fear the notion of stalling out and hitting a stand-still for your career, set a cap on the number of months you are willing to go or the amount you will spend before you look to change course again. At worst, you will still be rewarded with important life lessons you can hold onto forever. 

Wrap Up

Don’t let go of your acquisitive nature as you venture on this new path. Striving toward new interests and reinventing yourself can be a great feeling. Your appetite for learning and mastering new skills will carry you to success within any company, industry, or position. Don’t fear or hesitate; accompanying change is in your favor.

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