You want to advance your career. How can you build a professional network?

As a tax officer and researcher, my goals are multi-faceted and dynamic. Firstly, in my role as a tax officer, my priority is to ensure effective tax administration by providing clear guidance to taxpayers, minimizing errors, and facilitating smooth tax processes. Additionally, I aim to continuously enhance my knowledge and skills in tax administration through training and networking opportunities, ultimately striving to contribute to the development of fair and efficient tax policies. Simultaneously, as a researcher, my objectives revolve around conducting high-quality research that advances our understanding of taxation.

Start by attending industry events, seminars, and conferences to connect with professionals in your field. Also join professional organisations and online networking platforms to help to expand your reach and visibility. I feel you can be proactive by reaching out to colleagues, mentors, and industry leaders for networking opportunities; and nurture these relationships by offering support, sharing insights, and staying engaged in conversations. And then remember to reciprocate by offering help and resources to others in your network.

Advancing your career through networking begins with clarity on your goals, not just in terms of what you hope to gain but also what you can offer. When crafting your goals, it is equally important to consider the value you bring to these potential relationships. For instance, if you're looking to connect with a mentor, think about how your unique skills, experiences, or perspective could enrich the mentorship experience for both parties. Approaching networking with a mindset of mutual benefit fosters more meaningful, lasting connections. By identifying not only your goals but also the value you contribute, you set the stage for a network that's both wide-reaching and deeply reciprocal, paving the way for sustainable career advancement.

As a business owner I think by establishing clear objectives before engaging in networking activities is paramount for success. Whether the goal is to secure mentorship, pursue new job opportunities, attract potential clients, or foster collaboration, clarity is key. Additionally, identifying specific desires such as acquiring new skills, venturing into different industries, or soliciting feedback on one's work allows for more targeted networking efforts. By defining precise goals, individuals can streamline their networking strategies, identify relevant contacts, and allocate resources effectively, thereby enhancing the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes.

To start before networking with people, the first and foremost criteria should be to identify what should be your arena of potential reach that you want to consider. For Instance- If someone is preparing for CAT or MBA entrance exams and he is targeting some particular colleges that provide some specific skill-based qualification like in business analytics so to say. In such cases, now the person has an idea of whom he has to reach out to, in this case- all the current students and alumni of those particular colleges. Thus, having a proper goal in place always helps you decide what needs to be done.

The best way to reach out to people way outside of your network is offering extra value to them. For example, the best way to speak to, let’s say, professional athletes, top performers, extraordinary coaches, or Ted-Ex speakers is by asking to interview them for an article or your podcast. The Extraordinary Coaches Podcast is my secret way to expanding my network with extraordinary coaches :))

?? This is a numbers game! The more people you research that interest you, the more you will connect with, the bigger and more diverse your network will be! LinkedIn provides such fantastic connecting opportunities compared to the past. People often can be kind and generous with their time and knowledge. The more connections you initiate, the larger and more diverse your network becomes.

The smartest way to research the people around the goal that someone has in his/her mind would be to toggle the ways around that arena, be it on social media groups or visiting and doing research over their official channels like their website or from your contact list. You will find someone who can help out in one or another way. This is the way that I also used to take inputs while taking a wise decision in applying to MBA colleges.

Don’t be afraid to network. In my experience, the two biggest challenges people have with networking is 1- confidence in who they are and what they bring to the opportunity 2- remember, no matter the person, their position or their title, they are just a person! You can reach anybody on a personal level

One thing I’ve found helpful is to be genuine and authentic. You’re building connections not a business and let things flow from there. If your intentions aren’t pure then neither will your connections be.

Be your authentic self and focus on the whole person. They are more than just node in a network. Ask them questions like where are they from, what are the interests outside of work etc. You want to build genuine, meaningful connections.

Networking is all about connection. You want to connect with a person on a human level. Sure, you can have a business intent, however, that’s secondary. Firstly, you want to have a genuine intention.

One network that adds up to your bucket list should work for you as an asset. As it is rightly said your first impression is your last impression. So, while sending them the connect request, just add the greetings note and your personalized message for the reason for which you want to connect. If this thing not work, then once they accept your request, first of all, send them a greeting message and ask them about their day so far, this will help build relations in a good way and it also signifies how do they matter in your life.

For your work Career to continue Expanding and further Diversify you must REMIND yourself of >> No matter how much you have Mastered a certain Expertise, your Journey of Learning new more things will Never stop !! = Because there will always be something else existing aimewhere on Earth - that you can Absorb = TO LEARN ??

Ask every new connection to introduce you to two new people. You’ll be expanding your network faster than you could have ever imagined.

Expanding and diversifying the network is very crucial as you never know when one can need the help of someone. If that concern has been on your list, you can at least help each other at any given point in time and there are high chance that they will help you for sure. There are some other ways as well to leverage your reach over LinkedIn that can also help in expanding your network is as integrating AI extensions like Engage AI, Careerflow, etc.

Putting yourself out there is a great way to connect with others, especially now with different platforms. From there, building and maintaining relationships helps you remind others about you.

Gosto muito do Linkedin, é uma ótima rede para networking, por ser uma plataforma com foco na Vida Profissional. Concordo com expandir e diversificar, embora se torne difícil administrar o grande número de oportunidades que temos atualmente com tantas redes sociais disponíveis. Pra n?o "pirar" com tudo isso, acredito que o jeito é fazer escolhas a partir do AutoConhecimento.

Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. People love being of service, but they can’t read your mind. If you want people to help you in any way, shape or form, ask.

As a professional, I strongly believe in the power of networking as a strategic tool for career advancement. Leveraging your network involves actively engaging with your contacts to seek advice, feedback, recommendations, or endorsements. Additionally, by showcasing your accomplishments, skills, and projects on online platforms and inviting your contacts to interact can enhance your visibility and credibility. Collaborating with your network on mutually beneficial projects, events, or initiatives is another effective way to leverage your connections. This not only strengthens existing relationships but also cultivates new opportunities for growth and success.

Be kind when networking. Keep in mind that everyone you meet online or offline wants the same as you – being seen, being recognised as professional and being respected. The saying “Give before you take” is a good guideline when networking