How can you network like a pro in your industry?

My friend Raunak Ramteke in his talk said Give Give Give and Give and then Ask. To me when you start with a primary purpose of What do you want with networking you are starting with a handicap. Yes you don’t want to waste time and you need to be sharp but you need to be genuinely generous also with your time, knowledge and contacts. If you have seen the movie The Godfather, on many occasions Vito Corleone tells his friends “I will remember” when they do him a favour or act in kindness. Even the undertaker for whose daughter he steps in to take revenge he says “Someday I may come to you for a favour and that day may never come. Till such time accept this as a gift on my daughter’s wedding” Godfather obviously thrived on his network.

Bear this in mind: No one owes you their time. As people advance to more senior roles, the demands on their time increase. A good place to start is with those people who are one level above you, who remember what it was like to be at your level. Since each of us learn something at each level, a good approach is: I'm currently at X doing A. I would like to move to this role. Could I ask what you believe is the most important thing I can learn (or do) to get to that level? That is a specific question within a very specific context, instead of: Can you help me in my career?

You always want a general goal for networking, even if your goal is raising people's awareness of you in your space. Each specific conversation is not about asking for or getting something (like asking for a job), and the conversation doesn't even have to be on a specific topic. But to network well you are 1. Spending the vast majority of your time talking to people who are in a position to help you (or connect you with people who could help you) reach your goals, and 2. Understanding your own goals, so you can ask the right questions and listen for the right opportunities. Not having a goal is like not having a map. You can't use networking to achieve anything without it.

There are 3 event tools you’ll want to leverage if you want to expand your network: EventBrite: look for conferences, live talks, or other events that relate to your industry. Eventbrite is one of the leading event platforms LinkedIn events: LinkedIn has online webinars, live streams, audio events, and in person events. Not only can you see what the events are, you can also see who RSVP’d. Check the attendees list and connect with people that align with your networking goals. Whova: this app is similar to Eventbrite but it’s geared towards conferences, expos, and summits. I’ve used it to attend podcast meetups but there are also international conferences that use Whova as a communication tool for their events.

In my experience- Networks like Guild are very beneficial in this regard. Apart from this, staying in touch with the HR organizations like SHRM, HRCI, HRPA is essentially recommended. Attending events on HR platforms really conductive.

I will add to the three tools Walter provides in his comment: -The Facebook Events tab can provide you with great ideas for networking. As I tell my clients, you can network anywhere where the music isn't too loud and the people aren't too drunk. What's going on in your community that you would enjoy participating in - and you could possibly make some new contacts, too? -MeetUp - find activities, ways of life, or beliefs that mesh with yours and join! Keep in mind: those other cyclists, dog lovers, or wine and food enthusiasts all have jobs. Their significant others have jobs, their friends have jobs...you get the idea.

Doing this kind of research can feel a little "stalker-ish," but rest assured that you will need to do it in order to be informed about the person you're connecting with. Understanding the person's work challenges and recent work accomplishments is very relevant to having the kinds of conversations that can position you as someone that the other person will want to get to know better.

This is where the rubber meets the road, and for a lot of people the really hard part. What to say? Who to reach out to? Won't they think I'm a bad person for only reaching out because I need something? It's ok. You're allowed to have professional goals and to work toward those goals through connecting with others. As long as you don't treat people in a very transactional way, they'll be glad you connected.

Bear this in mind: Recruiters receive hundreds of messages every single day...yes, every single day. Hiring managers receive at least 50 messages per day. If you're going to reach out to either you need to bear this in mind and calibrate your expectations accordingly. Start with: I am a X and I wanted to introduce myself. I've always been very inpressed by X about Company Their Employer, and have enjoyed following the companies developments on Linkedin. Then follow them..the recruiters and the hiring managers. Comment on their posts, and when you get a response to a comment, THEN reach out with: Thanks for replying to my comment. It was so nice of you. I'm attaching a copy of my resume for your ATS. Thank you again for your time.

Give first, give freely and give without expectation. The more people know you to be a helpful person, the more inclined they are to help you.

A friend once shared with me: "networking is about the interaction- not the transaction". Build the relationship by learning about the other person and ask questions, versus immediately pitching yourself. The latter approach feels a lot like going to an event and someone thrusts their business card on you.

We need to cultivate and nurture the old and existing relations in order to be current and relevant. Meeting over a cup of tea without specific purpose or placing a long-distance call to an ex-colleague or professional pal is really exhilarating experience..

Please do not view people from a transactional mindset. The majority of people can discern that your attention or flattery or carefully crafted message has an agenda behind it. Treat people the way you want to be treated. With authenticity and respect for their time.

At the end of the conversation, ask "who else in your circle would you recommend I speak with?" This way you can get connected to new people and expand your network.

In today's hyper-connected world, maintaining a vibrant network has become more crucial than ever before. Social media serves as a powerful tool, it's time to spice up your networking game and make lasting connections that go beyond the mundane. Three nurturing networking tips: Unleash the Power of Personalization: Don't just settle for generic messages and casual likes. Remember a heartfelt message can go a long way in making someone feel valued. Curate Content: Be the curator of valuable content that resonates with your network's interests. Be Present and Proactive: Building and maintaining relationships requires consistent effort and proactive engagement. Don't wait for others to reach out to you; take the initiative to connect.

Share an article you thought the other person might find interesting, and keep your network apprised of your progress and how they have helped. Building the relationship is step one - nurturing it is ongoing.

Be aware of your limiting beliefs. If you hesitate to ask for a conversation, remember "if you don't ask you don't get". You will not be any further behind in your job search of someone says no - and can be much further ahead of someone says yes.