The creation of personal networks is the development of relationships with groups or people with whom we have similar interests. Professional networking is an exercise in trust, especially for people who are shy or introverted. That's one of the reasons why so many people avoid it. However, once you find yourself talking about your shared interests with a new friend, you'll see that networking isn't so bad.
Experts agree that the most connected people tend to be the most successful. When you invest in your professional and personal relationships, you can pay back dividends throughout your career. Networking is essential, as it will help you develop and improve your skills, keep abreast of the latest trends in your industry, keep abreast of the labor market, meet potential mentors, partners and customers, and access the resources needed to promote your professional development. While you don't need to send a long, heartfelt message immediately after meeting someone new, you should send a connection request to LinkedIn with a personalized message as soon as possible.
Whether you're in a coffee shop, in an elevator, or standing in line at the supermarket, you can find an opportunity to network. Once you've discovered your ideal networking style, consider where you can go to meet the right people who can help you achieve your current professional development goals. With 76% of people saying that you need to know the right people to get ahead, the connection between your network and your net worth shows. According to Jobvite, 66% of satisfied employees are eager to recommend people in their network to work in their company.
Whether you're new to the company and want to familiarize yourself with the field or if you're already established and have your sights set on a promotion, networking with your co-workers can be incredibly beneficial to your career advancement. Here's why networking is important to your success and what you can do to improve your networking skills throughout your professional development. It can be time consuming, downright uncomfortable at times, and, depending on your networking personality, incredibly tiring. If you want to take advantage of the benefits of networking, it's important to know what it is and what it isn't.
Networking is about establishing, building and fostering long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with the people you meet, whether you're waiting to order your morning coffee, participating in an internal sports league, or attending a business conference. When you connect on LinkedIn or contact us via email, share something interesting that you've learned from that person. Deena Baikowitz, network director and co-founder of Fireball Network, suggests choosing networking events and organizations that matter to you. In addition, if you want to change your career, your professional network can help you find connections in the industry you're trying to enter or to find job opportunities in specific companies.
When done right, networking will not only help you get a job faster, but it will also give you a competitive advantage at every stage of your career.
