You’re a career development coach with a client who’s struggling to network. What tools do you recommend?

LinkedIn has over a billions users. Chances are anyone you want to meet or interact with are on this platform. However, it can be difficult to navigate if you’re not on it often. If you’re new to the platform, here’s some quick start tips. 1) Get your profile ‘minimally acceptable’ (headshot, headline, current experience, etc) 2) Extend connection requests to people you know 3) Start having conversations The point is to start getting used to the tools with people you’re familiar with before branching out to new connections.

Utilizing online professional platforms like LinkedIn, Meetup, or Eventbrite is a simple and effective way to kickstart networking. These platforms enable clients to create profiles, highlight skills, connect with industry peers, and explore relevant events and workshops. Joining groups and engaging in discussions allows them to share insights and questions. Online networking enhances their connections, facilitates learning from experts, and keeps them informed about industry trends and opportunities.

Networking apps like Shapr, Bumble Bizz, and Lunchclub can offer job seekers a convenient and extensive platform to connect with potential employers and mentors. I always remind my clients that there are overwhelming choices in terms of apps. They also come with challenges such as managing the quality of connections, retaining a personal touch, and ensuring privacy and authenticity. Be cautious: the more apps you use, the more difficult it is for you to control your digital and professionnal profile.

Networking apps like Shapr, Bumble Bizz, or Lunchclub leverage algorithms to connect clients with professionals who share similar goals or interests. Through these apps, clients can engage with matches, exchange ideas, seek advice, or schedule meetings. These tools facilitate the discovery of potential mentors, collaborators, and referrals, diversifying networks and opening up new possibilities for clients in their professional journey.

In my experience following apps / portals has helped me - MeetUp - Quora - Medium - Facebook Focused Groups - WhatsApp and Telegram Focused Groups

Overcoming networking challenges includes mastering effective email communication. Suggesting the use of email templates can guide your client in crafting compelling messages for reaching out to new contacts, following up post-events, or seeking introductions. These templates, whether sourced online or customized based on experience, save time, prevent errors, and leave a positive impression. A strategic approach to email communication enhances networking effectiveness and fosters meaningful connections.

From my experience, templates can be incredibly useful for various outreach situations, such as seeking a referral, advice, or an opportunity. When reaching out, it's crucial not just to ask for something but to first provide value and find common ground with the other person. Keep your message brief, concise, and polite. Keep in mind that professionals are busy, so they may not have the time to respond immediately. Consider sending a follow-up message after a few days with a kind reminder.

Networking cards, enhanced with ChatGPT's assistance, can be a game-changer in making lasting impressions: 1. Compelling Messaging: Use ChatGPT to craft a succinct, memorable message or tagline for your networking cards. This should encapsulate your professional identity or value proposition. 2. QR Code Integration: Consider adding a QR code generated via online tools, linked to your LinkedIn profile or digital portfolio. ChatGPT can help draft a brief instruction or call-to-action to accompany the QR code, encouraging recipients to explore your detailed professional background. 3. Follow-Up Prompt: Include a creative, engaging prompt on your card, drafted with ChatGPT’s help, that encourages recipients to connect further.

I use NFC card and it has helped me a lot in my networking and personal branding journey. This card is linked to mobile application where i can customize details like Photo, website, social media links, QR code, key highlights, USPs etc. I strongly recommend this for my clients in their career agility journey.

Feedback as a Growth Hack: After meetings, don’t just ask if it went well. Ask, “What’s one industry myth you think needs debunking?” It's a feedback question that also sparks deeper dialogue. Networking Plan with a Competitive Edge: Don't just attend events; aim to meet specific role models or disruptors in your field. Set goals like, “Connect with three leading innovators in renewable energy tech this quarter.”

Lors de mes bilans de compétences je demande à mes clients de solliciter leur réseau pour identifier les qualités qui ressortent le plus dans leur personnalité. C'est évidemment une source d'informations importantes pour eux. Et c'est aussi l'occasion de rentrer en contact avec d'anciens managers, anciens collègues pour réactiver le réseau.

A networking plan is vital for: . defining your goals, . managing wisely your time and resources by identifying important people in your field and joining the right events, . building your "value-proposition" for each person you want to connect with, . measuring your progress and evaluating your networking success with clear benchmarks.

Simply clarifying your primary networking purpose can be a significant step in the right direction. Understanding why you want to make professional connections can serve as a filtering mechanism to invest your time and efforts within a targeted group or platform. Are you networking to build a brand, get a job, find new clients, etc.? Who is your ideal audience and what qualities make them essential to your goal? Is this for a short period or an annual span? Your verbal and written messaging can then be tailored to provide clear value and a concrete call to action or request concisely. If your outreach is projected for a certain frequency or span of time, charting those commitments on a calendar can help with accountability and progress.

Before 'forcing it' down anyone's throat to kickstart networking immediately, it is important to realise that networking comes in many forms, and to different people, it works differently. I would love to explore what are their barriers (fear) to networking, their styles and preferences, before going into networking techniques or platforms.

Take a moment and give yourself some grace. Networking can be difficult for many reasons for everyone. Extrovert’s network differently from introverts and neither is better than the other. Trust yourself to know what feels right and what doesn’t. These days we consider most networking to be of the extroverted type causing some of us to feel overwhelmed at the mere thought of it. Permitting yourself to be imperfectly you and navigate the spaces in ways that feel good to you will yield the best results. Consider these modifications: - Give yourself a goal or a task to complete - Wear something that could serve as a conversation piece (e.g. colorful scarf, pin, frames) - Prepare (mindfulness, yoga, meditation) - Be flexible

Considere a??es para ser visto como autoridade ou conhecedor da sua área, frequente palestras e eventos, interaja com grupos de estudos, pe?a dicas e direcionamento à profissionais influentes. Esteja no meio que deseja fazer parte. O medo de obter críticas e seu próprio auto julgamento, podem ser uma das grandes dificuldades de progredir. Acredite em seus sonhos e trace metas e estratégias de a??o. Você pode se surpreender!

Asking someone to lean into networking can be an overwhelming exercise for them. Giving others the opportunity to tag along and shadow is an effective way to help them break the ice and see an approach that works or maybe even sometimes fails. Networking requires action, and we often are so caught up in our own heads that we stop and fail to do it.