Why Everyone Should Practice the Art of Networking
You have probably heard, read, or even said some version of these at some point in your career:
- You should succeed on your own merits.
- Hard work earns just rewards.
- Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.
While these ideas are not wrong, they are also not wholly right. There is a reason we have teams in our personal and professional lives: You can’t always go it alone. You shouldn’t have to. More importantly, to succeed in a job search or career pivot these days, you shouldn’t want to.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.” –African Proverb
Most of the experiences and resulting relationships you have in your life did not come pre-formed. You ventured, learned, lost, won, and became the person you are with family, friends, and colleagues along for different parts of your journey.
That means the only person who knows all of your story is you. So when you decide to change the course of your journey, it changes the arc of your story. You know that of course, but do they?
It is important to bring others in on what you are thinking and planning. Not to dictate your steps, but to help you avoid missteps. Whether you are recovering from a layoff or rethinking what you want to do for a living, the people who know the “now-you” can help you refine the story of the “next-you.”
Find a sounding board to refine your brand statement or elevator pitch so that it feels like you. Run your new resume by someone who will point out the projects you’ve forgotten as well as any missed punctuation. Do mock interviews with that person who has a question. for. everything.
Share your story and goals so that the people around you understand who you are becoming and where you want to be. Armed with that knowledge they will be better equipped to help you get there.
“Networking is more about farming than it is about hunting.” — Ivan Misner
There are three important aspects to networking: foundation, nurturing, and reciprocity.
Build your network before you need it. You have probably heard this before, and are doing this to some extent already. Humans are wired to be social, so we naturally form bonds to sustain us. Our strongest relationships tend to start and grow organically. That’s how you build a foundation of trust and respect that allows the relationship to grow, and the dynamic to adapt as needed to accommodate friends of friends, personal partners, business associates, etc. That’s not to say you shouldn’t specifically seek out new relationships that are mutually beneficial. But don’t view those connections as one-offs. Sustainability (and reliability) is all about how you care for those new seeds you have planted.
Be authentic. Often. With one out of every three people in the world on social media platforms, you are probably not “besties” (or even personally acquainted) with most of the people in your online circles. That’s okay as long as you aren’t collecting people like tokens you plan to drop in a machine, hoping for a jackpot. As human as it is to gather others to us, it is equally human to expect a connection, not just a transaction. That doesn’t mean sending out thousands of personal DMs, but it does mean checking in regularly with the people you do know to make sure they know they matter to you. It also means engaging people who may not know you as well by sharing an interesting article or other resource and not always an “all about me” update or request. If people only remember your name for knocking on their virtual door when you need something, you might find fewer of those doors opening up to you.
Do unto others. Think of your network as part social club, part safety net, and part springboard. In all three instances it should be a two-way exchange. Share the fun, share helpful resources to help others through hard times, and share opportunities to help others advance to available opportunities. That makes people more likely to keep you top of mind and do the same. Ideally this flows easily from your nurturing efforts because these are people you want to spend time with, collaborate with, or connect to other people you know. Even if some of these connections are part of a strategic long-game, making the effort demonstrates the kind of person you are when it counts most.
“Your network is your net worth.” — Porter Gale
Effective networking takes time and effort, but look at it as an investment. When you consider, according to LiveCareer, that one out of every 200 resumes results in a job offer while one out of every 12 informational interviews results in a job offer, it’s a worthy investment.
That’s easy to say if you are the 50–70% of the population that thrives as an extrovert. But what about those people who are exhausted just at the thought of moving beyond the safety of their inner circle?
Thankfully for people who lean introvert, there are ways to bolster your network that are not just about glad-handing (or elbowing) people at conferences, exchanging mountains of business cards, or wading through Linkedin messages from faces you don’t recognize.
- Map out your network. Whether it’s a graphic, a table, or a list, create some sort of visual representation of the people you know. One thing that does is help identify the different “levels” of your connections so you figure out how best to nurture them. The other thing mapping achieves is helping you align your contacts with your goals. If you think about the “six degrees of separation” idea that grew from the work of social psychologist Stanley Milgram, seeing the connections between people and the places they work (or worked) can help you broaden the path toward your goal.
- Pursue smaller interactions. Join groups for your current or target industry and socialize with like-minded professionals. Attend meetups or arrange no-pressure coffee or lunch meetings. And yes, ask for an informational interview where appropriate–it can provide a preparatory peek with much less stress than a formal interview.
- Explore what the experts have to say. There is a lot out there, so think about the one or two areas where you need the most help. Devora Zack’s Networking for People Who Hate Networking and Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz are good resources if you are an introvert or just feeling overwhelmed by the thought of proactively putting yourself out there.
Know your worth, and your network will follow. And remember that it is not about the number of names you’re connected to. The value is in the strength of each connection.
“The opposite of networking is not working.” — Unknown
That value becomes even more apparent when you consider today’s job market. It is the most age-diverse ever, with five generations in the talent pool. It is also one of the most volatile. In a recent Robert Half survey, 60% of 18- to 25-year-olds said they would probably change jobs this year and more than 50% of working parents and short-term employees are actively looking.
Between unrest, the Great Resignation, and record layoffs over the past year, there are many high-performers looking for their next great thing. That is what is great (and not so great) about such a dynamic market–there are so many opportunities, but that also means there are so many “points of entry” that you can’t cover them all alone.
Don’t be discouraged if you feel you are late to the networking game or lack the skill for it. Networking may sound like a second job, but think of it more as a side hustle. Through that lens, it should be something that excites and inspires you to stretch yourself to meet your goals.
In the end, the core of who you are hasn’t changed. It’s still you succeeding on your own merits. It’s still you working to earn those just rewards. It’s still you pulling yourself up by your bootstraps and not waiting around for luck to strike. But still, it never hurts to have someone else bring you different boots to try on…
In Summary:
- Share your new career goals with those around you so they can be your eyes, ears, and mouthpiece out in the world.
- Forge your network, feed it regularly, and favor the people in your network with tips, advice, and opportunities to help them along, just as you would like to be helped.
- Networking isn’t just for extroverts–map out your connections, look for opportunities for more intimate interactions, and study expert advice if you feel out of your element.
- Today’s job market is mercurial, and having others in your corner gives you an edge, whether you’re an entrepreneur or looking for your next career adventure.
Networking doesn’t have to be one more stressor when you’re trying to make a career transition. If you need someone to help you assess your strengths and plan a strategy to follow your new path, I can help. Learn more about my coaching services here.
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