Skip to main content

Grow Your Professional Network with These Foolproof Strategies

Professional networking is an art which many of us have failed to master. A professional network is a group of peers who work or participate in a community you’re involved with. Networks can be very broad or narrow in reach. If you work in the financial industry, you might consider your professional network to only be made up of only individuals who work, or have worked, in the financial sector. A broader professional network can consist of almost anyone in any type of community, however. It can comprise old professors, family members of friends, people from your extracurricular activities, even the aspiring author who lives next door.

Networking, or the act of making new professional connections, is commonly seen to be of vital importance for career development. There are many benefits of networking including finding a support structure, learning about new opportunities, and making your personal brand more visible. Check out Career Addict’s post on 10 Important Benefits of Networking.

Stepping out of your comfort zone to do additional work can seem like a daunting challenge. The mental image of a snobby cocktail party and awkward grandstanding might spring to mind. But networking doesn’t have to be painful. That’s why I’ve put together a few foolproof strategies anyone can employ to grow their professional network.

Participate

Participating in any form of activity shows enthusiasm, likability, and helps others associate action with your personal brand. The act of participating can be as small as offering to go to fetch napkins from the lunch area or can be as large as attending the optional sessions of a company conference. Participating in even small ways lets people know that you’re engaged. You can participate in a group conversation by actively asking questions, or you can participate by offering your yard up for the company picknick. Whether your actions are large or small, beginning to participate in the goings-on around you will help you grow your network.

Make small talk

If you’re not ready to jump right into a conversation with someone new about your latest entrepreneurial ideas, start with small talk. Small talk is an excellent way to break the ice and get to know someone on a personal level. In fact, relationships which are established with a degree of familiarity often turn out to be the most positive. Knowing a little about the person’s family life, their hobbies, and their dreams can go a long way to starting a meaningful dialogue. It will also help you remember names and faces if you’re overwhelmed by meeting too many new people. Small talk is an easy step any of us can take to begin communicating with someone new in order to add them to our professional network.

“Networking is simply starting a conversation with no destination in mind.”
– Kathryn Crawford Wheat  Tweet: “Networking is simply starting a conversation with no destination in mind.”

– Kathryn Crawford Wheat https://bit.ly/2BP8sP1 #career #professional #networking

Offer help

If someone is attempting a new project, needs to be introduced to someone, or is even carrying something heavy, offering help can be the beginning to a fruitful relationship. In some situations, it’s awkward to walk up to someone and say “Hey, I want to get to know you!” Actually, that’s always awkward, don’t do that. But if you feel you might be able to offer them something, that is a natural conversation starter. It also shows that you care about more than what is in it for yourself. Remember to ask in a polite manner, however. Don’t insinuate that they need the help because of some fault of their own.

Volunteer

If you’re not ready to join the networking association at your local golf club, volunteering is an excellent way to make a name for yourself in your community. The best part is, you can pick the area which holds the most interest for yourself! This is a chance for you to not only pursue your own interests but to do good in your community while meeting other like-minded individuals. If you’re at a loss for where to start, I would recommend looking up your local United Way chapter or another volunteer association. There are undoubtedly countless opportunities to choose from. Volunteering has the added benefit of making a great talking point when you do find yourself stuck at a traditional networking event.

Tell your friends

Perhaps the simplest method of expanding your professional network is to ask for help. Let your friends and family know that you are interested in meeting some new people, and see if they have any suggestions. They might point you to an interesting opportunity, connect you with someone over LinkedIn, or drop your name at their company holiday party. Networks are self-replicating if used correctly. After all, everyone on earth is connected by 6 degrees of separation as proved by a Microsoft study of 30 billion electronic conversations among 180 million people in various countries. If you ask the right person, who knows who will be able to connect with!


Remember that this is NOT networking:


Don't Forget to Subscribe!

Comments

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks, Aruna! Glad you stopped by for a read!

      Delete
  2. I am really enjoying reading your well written articles.
    It looks like you spend a lot of effort and time on your blog.
    I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work..
    ccna Training in Chennai
    ccna Training institute in Chennai
    Angularjs Course in Chennai
    Ethical Hacking Course in Chennai
    Tally Course in Chennai
    ccna course in chennai
    ccna training in chennai

    ReplyDelete
  3. This blog is very much helpful to us. Thanks for your information

    superbfacts
    Education

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for splitting your comprehension with us. It’s really useful to me & I hope it helps the people who in need of this vital information.
    CCNA Course in Chennai
    CCNA Training in Chennai
    Java Training in Chennai
    Web Designing Course in chennai
    PHP Training in Chennai
    CCNA Training in Porur
    CCNA Training in Adyar

    ReplyDelete
  5. This blog has the relevant data according to the topic and precise to the topic.
    Data Science Training in Chennai
    Data Science Training in Bangalore

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am definitely enjoying your website. You definitely have some great insight and great stories.
    Buy An Assignment Online

    ReplyDelete
  7. Such a useful blog with needed information and thanks for sharing this amazing blog.
    AWS Course in Chennai
    DevOps Certification in Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  8. Excellent post with good information. Thank you for sharing more updates.
    IELTS Classes in T Nagar
    IELTS Training in T Nagar

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am reading your post from the beginning, it was so interesting to read & I feel thanks to you for posting such a good blog, keep updates regularly.

    No-1 Python Training Institute in Delhi with Placement Assistance

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your post is really good thanks for sharing these kind of post but if anyone looking for Best Consulting Firm for Fake Experience Certificate Providers in pune, India with Complete Documents So Dreamsoft Consultancy is the Best Place.Further Details Here- 9599119376 or VisitWebsite-https://experiencecertificates.com/experience-certificate-provider-in-pune.html

    ReplyDelete
  11. Such a useful blog with required information. Thanks for sharing this amazing blog.
    AWS Course in Chennai
    DevOps Certification in Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great Info, Your blog is very informative and interesting, your all post are amazing, keep sharing more interesting topics. Thanks for the blog. It really helps me a lot.

    Innovative Approaches to Improve Your Python Training Course
    Reasons Why You Should Learn Python Training Course

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful blog..!! Reference links are similar to the topic that I’m looking for.
    AngularJS Training in Chennai
    RPA Training in Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  14. You've provided quite good information here. This is fantastic since it expands our knowledge and is also beneficial to us. Thank you for sharing this piece of writing. Course For IELTS Exam Delhi

    ReplyDelete
  15. I want to leave a little comment to support and wish you the best of luck. We wish you the best of luck in all your blogging endeavors. Otherwise if any One Want to Learn Complete Python Training Course - No Coding Experience Required So Contact Us.

    Complete Python Training Course - No Coding Experience Required

    ReplyDelete
  16. I truly appreciate just perusing the entirety of your weblogs. Just needed to educate you that you have individuals like me who value your work. Unquestionably an extraordinary post. Caps off to you! The data that you have given is exceptionally useful.data science training in chennai

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great Info, Your blog is very informative and interesting, I really liked while reading your article, the information you have mentioned in this post is really good. I am waiting for your upcoming post your ,post is really good . Otherwise if anyone want to Learn software testing course So Contact Us-9311002620 Or check my website- https://www.htsindia.com/Courses/ software testing / software -testing course

    ReplyDelete
  18. I like your blog you write your blog very carefully . it is very knowledgeable .If you like this information and want to know more about Tally you can call me at 9311002620 or can visit our website https://www.htsindia.com/Courses/tally/tally-training-course

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you for sharing this content in your post thank you apart form that if anyone look for Python training institute in Delhi Contact Here-+91-9311002620 Or Visit Website- https://www.htsindia.com/Courses/python/python-training-institute-in-south-delhi

    ReplyDelete
  20. If you want to get professional data analysis training so join with us for Further More Information About MIS training institute in Delhi Contact Here-+91-9311002620 Or Visit Website- https://www.htsindia.com/Courses/business-analytics/mis-training-instiute-in-delhi

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your blog is very nice and interesting. Your way of writing this blog forced me to read the full blog. Being a new reader, your blog increased my interest in reading. If anyone is interested for Fake Experience Certificate in Delhi here we have the chance for you, Dreamsoft is providing is Fake experience certificate in D. To get you experience certificate in Pune you can contact at 9599119376. or can visit our website at https://experiencecertificates.com/experience-certificate-provider-in-delhi.html

    ReplyDelete
  22. Axure RP Pro 10.0.0.3882 Crack 2022 is a rapid prototyping tool in addition to providing wireframing, and specification to align development and documentation .Axure RP Pro 7.0 Full Crack

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment