Accelerate Your Career Through Your Network

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How do you feel about Networking?

Does the word networking fill you with dread? Does it conjure images of anxiety filled events, balancing canapes and drinks in one hand and wondering what on earth to say to people?

What if you were to think about networking in a whole new light and that by taking a more strategic approach to your networking you can help accelerate your career.

To do this you need to be more mindful and deliberate about who can support your career. and in what ways. This will see you connecting with a much broader range of people than you will meet at ad hoc or regular networking events. That’s not to say there is not a place for the more traditional networking, but this is networking on a different level.

There are said to be 8 Key People you need in your network – not necessarily all at the same time, but as required as your career moves and progresses.

Who are they and how can they help?

1. Mentor - an experienced person you respect and can learn from and who provides a place to talk though concerns and test out ideas
2. Sponsor - a person who is your champion and promotes your achievements and gets you visible in front of the right people
3. Accountability buddy - a coach, colleague or friend who holds you accountable, on a regular basis, for your goals and targets
4. The Expert - the person who you know has the expert knowledge and can show you how things are?done
5. The Connector - the person who knows everyone and who knows who you need to be introduced to, and helps makes it happen
6. The Gatekeeper - the person who can get you access to the people or resources you need
7. The Guide - the person who can guide you around and across the organisation and introduce you to the right people
8. The Challenger - the person who offers you different opinions and can challenge your thinking and offer a different perspective

There is no doubt networking is a big time investment. But you just never know when that investment will pay off. Sometimes it comes from the least expected place and at the least expected time. But ultimately, strategic networking always pays off.

Here is the story of my client Danielle (not her real name). She is based in?the IT department of?a global manufacturing organisation and was recently promoted to a Project Manager role. She was delighted to be recognised for her skills, but knew she was destined for bigger things in her career. We talked about how she could get more visible across the organisation and get noticed by the right people. Through our discussions she started appreciating the possibilities that a wider and more connected network could provide for her future career. She switched from thinking what can I get out of this to what can I provide and how can I enjoy this journey. She started thinking much longer term and based her approach on showcasing her strengths, helping others and building effective relationships. She got herself a mentor, was lucky to sponsored by a senior manager and got herself a colleague to act as an accountability buddy. She tapped into expertise, learned who the connectors and gatekeepers were and was open to being challenged and guided by others. In just 9 months, she was promoted again to a Global Leader?role. She is not finished yet and has her sights on a much senior role. I have every confidence she will achieve her career goals with her new found networking strategy and the tools she gained on our coaching journey.

So, how do you build your Network?

?? Start by mapping out your existing network against the 8 key people – Mentor, Sponsor, Accountability Buddy, Expert, Connector, Gate-keeper, Guide and Challenger – and identify what people you need to support you at the moment, and where you have gaps.

?? Consider who might be able to fill those gaps. Are they already in your world or do you need to find them? Remember they don’t always need to be close contacts and in the case of the sponsor this is often a tap on the shoulder.?

?? Look to see who can introduce you to someone suitable – ask your friends, family and colleagues who in their network they could introduce you to that might fit the role. Can someone in your own network make an introduction for you????

?? Make yourself visible. Put yourself forward for activities that showcase your abilities. Offer to get involved in projects, offer yourself up for temporary promotions in the workplace, join groups or professional bodies that meet regularly. These type of activities will help you get exposed to people at different levels and get noticed.???

?? Reach out to connections you haven’t been in touch with for some time. Tell them you are rekindling your network and most people will be delighted to hear from you. If you feel a bit awkward you could offer them something of interest.???

?? Consistently build and nurture your relationships by sharing and giving value.??

?? Optimise your use of LinkedIn – identify people of interest, follow them and engage with their content. Reach out as you build the relationship.??This is a critical stage as part of your job search stage.

Your key people are all around you that can help you accelerate your career, you just need to navigate your way to find them. When you do find them be sure to be specific about the role and the support you need. so you are both setting out the relationship on the same page.

Happy Networking??

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If you want help to position yourself with confidence to accelerate your career, I am here to help you.

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