Networking: The Power of Connection

You have a list of skills to boast and are performing well in your current position, but something is missing. You have all heard the saying, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” and it rings true.

If you are like me, walking into a room with 100 people you don’t know makes you want to walk right out! Networking is more than that. It is more than handing out business cards or making anonymous connections on social media. If you understand how to start networking and why it is important, you will help set yourself and others up for success. Networking is a crucial piece of the puzzle to not only get the next job but to market your personal brand and create win-win scenarios for people and companies.

Networking can seem like a scary activity. However, it is a crucial one that creates a village of personal contacts who can provide insight, support, feedback, information, and resources. Networking will help you increase your marketable list of skills and assist in taking your career ambitions to the levels that you aspire to reach.

No one makes it to the top of the career mountain alone. It takes the help and input of other people. No one knows what they don’t know. If that is the case - and it is - how do you learn more? Others. Other people know things you don’t, and you know things that they don’t. Networking helps you determine what makes a great leader successful, and how you can become so yourself.  

You share information and ideas with others who have skills that can enhance you and your career. If you are looking for what makes a leader in your career field, who do you ask? Someone who is a leader in your chosen career field. This, my friend, is networking.

Here’s a networking secret: say yes. When you are asked to meet with someone, perhaps for coffee, because they are looking to network because they are in the same field as you, a recent graduate or even a job seeker, say yes. Say yes. Say yes.

What if you don’t say yes? You will never know what knowledge and wisdom you could have acquired. You may have thrown away a web of endless opportunities available to assist you in moving forward in your career.

I know of a woman who is on disability and unable to perform her regular job. She had a friend, who had a friend, who needed writers. Her friend remembered that she was a writer, even though that wasn’t her usual job.  

So what happened? Simple. The woman's friend told her there was someone she wanted to introduce her to that was looking for writers, and she said yes to meeting her. That yes turned into an at-home writing job that has been helpful to her while she is unable to do her usual job. Saying no would have changed the outcome.

Assembling a network circle of people helps you get the information and opportunities that you need to advance. Though one person may not be in the same career as you, he/she may know someone who is. Never discount a request to network.

Networking isn’t always about you. The story above is an excellent example of how networking is a win, win, win scenario. One person was looking for workers, the other person was looking for a job she could do while stuck at home, and the person who knew them both cared enough to pave the way.

When you network, talk, and spend intentional time with others, you are helping both yourself and others. When you share your list of skills with others, they can bring you in contact with people that they know who will share your list of skills and can help you further your career and vice versa.

Networking, at its best, is a way that we can help others, the community, companies, or even a friend of a friend get the connection they need to move forward. Networking is helping. And effective networking creates bonds that will often lead to more assistance and stronger relationships.

Asking for a meeting is vital to any networking strategy, but many people shy away from taking that leap. Why?

A major factor that stops us from building strong networks is our mindset that networking is self-serving and that we are the only ones who reap benefits.  When we think like this, we are less likely to take networking seriously and less likely to ask others for help.

A good network grows from mutually beneficial bonds where everyone has the potential to profit. When you take the time to get to know others, you will start to see how they can be of help to you and how you can be of help to them. Knowing the benefits of networking should make it easier for you to start talking to others and build your personal network.

Also, you need to break out of the mindset that you are just going to build your network of people with which you are comfortable. Having a network full of people just like you will limit your possibilities of getting new ideas and connections that will help your career.

“Hey, can we meet for coffee?” This line is an excellent tool when you first meet someone who you feel may have the knowledge that you could use to move forward. How do you ask for a meeting? Just ask. Remember to always be respectful of others time, find a time and location that is convenient for them. At worst, you will have a great cup of coffee, but at best you could end up with an amazing contact that might help catapult your career or business venture.

A powerful network is a village of people that can help each other reach heights that they could never reach alone. You need a network of people who care about your desires and elicit your care towards them as well. But before you jump into the networking fray, make sure to set some goals. It is important to understand your career goals before networking. When you know your intentions, it is helpful for both parties. If you need help with goal setting, reach out, and we can get started on a plan of action.

If you want to grow in your goal setting and networking skills, contact me. I am always up for a meeting, and I am a strong believer in the power of a cup of coffee. Check back soon for more networking tips.