Making Networking Easier and More Productive

Networking is beneficial for your career, but it is also an activity that most people are not comfortable with. Networking doesn’t always seem to work in the beginning because you are starting to work on building relationships. Since networking is primarily relationship building it is important to realize that the benefits could happen months or years down the road. The main thing in networking is to see where you can be of help to others and not how they can benefit you. If the relationship becomes collaborative then it can eventually lead to job offers, speaking engagements, and different exciting opportunities.

I have built my career over the past several years. I started networking in 2009 when I was still in university. During my early years of running my coaching practice, I landed some speaking engagements at universities and colleges along with a few job offers as of recent. Good networking needs to be consistent, nourished, kind, and collaborative.

Making a good first impression

When you first meet someone, they typically make a judgment about you quickly. When networking it is important to dress the part, make eye contact, smile, and pursue an engaging conversation with the other person. Being engaging means asking people questions about themselves while listening to what they have to say. Typically, if you talk to others about their interests, career, etc. they will ask you similar questions.

Another aspect you will want to watch is your body language. How you carry yourself, including your facial expressions will give people a chance to make an overall first impression of you. You want to make sure that you are sending off an appropriate image of who you are as a person, rather than a view of who you are not. Another aspect that should go without saying is to have a firm handshake. If you have a firm handshake it shows confidence. Also, choose what you have to say carefully. Remember people will be meeting you for the first time so you want to make sure that you come across as polite, trustworthy, confident, etc. 

Different types of networking sessions

Networking doesn’t always mean walking awkwardly into a room filled with other people milling around trying to hand out as many business cards as possible. There are different types of networking opportunities that you can join depending on how adventurous you plan to be.

Networking can include lectures, open networking, seminars, classes, tradeshows, conferences, and more. When it comes to lectures, classes, seminars, and the like these are typically situations where you could be sitting at a table with other individuals that you might not have met before. During these situations, you can take the time to chat with the people at your table and get to know them, exchange business cards and keep in touch (more on keeping in touch below).

When it comes to situations like conferences, tradeshows, and open networking sessions, people often go to these events with the intent to meet new people and make connections. These can be some of the more challenging situations as well. The key is to go to these networking sessions with a plan of who you will want to meet and why you want to meet them. Sometimes at tradeshows or open networking sessions, you will know who will have booths beforehand, so you will be able to decide who you want to meet and why. Come up with questions or conversation points to have with these individuals when you meet them.

Building relationships

Networking should go further than just the initial conversation. When you are networking make sure that you get permission to add the person to LinkedIn and if it is okay if you contact them further after the initial meeting. When you follow up, don’t just simply add the person to LinkedIn and call it a day. Send them a note stating that you enjoyed meeting with them, what you enjoyed about your conversation with them, and if you are comfortable ask them to meet for coffee at some point.

How can you help them? Always make it a point to see how you can be of help to each other. Once you get to know your new connection a little better, feel free to connect them with other people in your network in areas where they might need help. When it comes to networking people will remember kindness and will usually return the favor when you are in need.

One thing to remember is that when networking it is about the quality of the conversations you have not the quantity. It is not a race to get out as many business cards as you can, but more about the types of connections you make and how they can be of benefit to each person you meet. When networking try to get out there and have fun. You never know who your next connection could be!

Looking for more practical information on networking and career building? Connect with me on Instagram @BlissPlusYou or via the contact page on this website!