A Career Begins and Ends Within Your Network

In this article, you will learn.

1.?????What a network and networking are, as concepts

2.?????Why networking is key to career success.

3.?????Ways to build a professional network.

4.?????Stuff to expand your thinking on.

Myth BUSTER – The number of connections you have does not represent the quality of your network.

A network is nothing more than a community of people you know.?That is it!?Nothing more, nothing less.?As humans, we are wired to connect with others.?If we don’t we become isolated and experience loneliness or even depression.?In the beginning, becoming isolated meant death so you can understand why we need people (A network) to remain relevant.

Evolution has changed the environment, but it hasn’t really changed the need for being connected to a social group as this brings safety and opportunity.

Networking - First, let’s start with what Networking isn’t. It isn’t the swapping of business cards or an opportunity to talk at someone in a speed dating environment, or to feast on the organiser's free food.?

This thinking is fundamentally floored.?When we see it as a transaction, we will forever be chasing transactions and the chase will be tiring and potentially burn you out. Nobody enjoys being burned out.

What is it then? Networking is the act in which you gain help and support from individuals within a community OR help and support that same community of people.?Adding Value to one another.

So,

STOP thinking about networking as selling yourself or your products.

START thinking about networking as building lasting and valuable relationships.

This can seem quite daunting at first, this emotion is quite normal, so embrace it, have some fun with it.

There are two types of network. These are beautifully described in this infographic below.

As adults, on many occasions, professional networks morph into personal networks as they grow and become deeply established. What's important here, is to be conscious in regards to the emotional states generally present in each. Utilising the emotional traits of your personal network may be inappropriate at times in your professional networking efforts and vice versa. Allow your network's culture to guide your behaviour.

Why networking is key to career success.

Quite simply, hiring from within your community (network) is so much easier than hiring from outside.?

It comes with benefits for both parties, such as a much greater employee retention rate (for the employer) eight years with versus four years without, and the hiring process for you (as a potential employee) is so much easier as you have insights and connections you can leverage that provide you an advantage when it comes to making that final selection.?Also, network referrals tend to be paid higher too – Studies suggest 6% higher than non-network connections.?

So, you can see, there are some clear reasons why you need to build a network, start networking within that community, and stand-out.

In summary, networking is the best way to manage your career because:

1.?????People conduct business primarily with people they know and like. (57% of jobs are now filled through a network contact) and 70% of CEO’s in the Fortune 500 choose LinkedIn as their first and only source of Social Media.

2.?????Job listings tend to draw in more applications than the Talent Finder can process effectively.

3.?????The job you want may not be advertised at all.

4.?????Network referrals get paid more.

Networking will also help you develop professionally.?Whilst there is much debate over whether you should specialize in one field or develop a broad range of knowledge, the key is that you need to be continuously learning.?There is no better way to transfer knowledge and skills than through mentoring and the best way to gain mentors is through a network (Someone you know who has knowledge in an area you wish to gain more understanding in).

Gaining mentors will have multiple benefits to you, such as:

1.?????You will gain insights and understanding into the world of work you are in or wish to pursue.

2.?????You are more likely to stay within your role for longer.

3.?????It is a signal to your employer or future employer that you have greater emotional health.

4.?????It’s a signal to your employer that you are motivated to grow and develop.

5.?????You will gain stronger collaboration skills and greater creativity.

6.?????Inspires innovation.

Coaching is also something that would be useful to participate in as quite often you have the answers to many questions within, they just need the right prod to help them surface.

Myth BUSTER – Networking is a face-to-face activity.?There are so many platforms you can now explore to build a network, such as LinkedIn and Facebook.?LinkedIn is the #1 site to build professional networks and if you aren’t utilising it, you are at a severe disadvantage to your peers.?

Ways to build a professional network.

So, let's jump in and look at how to build a network..?Let’s stick with the theme – WE ARE ALL HUMAN, and our need to connect to other humans is powerful.?So, step one is easy.?You know you want to connect, but how?

1.?????Target specific communities and evaluate your current network for fit.

This is key.?If you want to work and develop a career in construction, there is little point in having a network that is centered around fashion.?This is because the likelihood of either party being able to provide value to one another is very limited (whilst not impossible).?Make a list of groups, companies, and people, who are in the communities that you would like to participate in.?Join them!

2.?????Leverage your current network to expand into these targeted communities.

Help your community in one way or another.?Remember, they are trying to satisfy their business objectives too and if you can help them by sharing posts, commenting on posts, and offering new insights you will begin to build the need for them to reciprocate. ( I share 6 laws of influence at the end of the article)

3.?????Make it a habit to work with your community every day.

Habits are important.??Some habits are good whilst some are bad.?Develop habits that will help you grow, connect and support your network.?Work out a schedule of when you will connect, how you will connect, and even a calendar of what you would like to share or talk about.

4.?????Be visible – Post your thoughts, comment, and ask questions.

This goes without saying.?You wouldn’t ignore your friends or your family, so don’t ignore or neglect your professional community.?Make a point of at least commenting every day on a post and posting once a week yourself. Sharing other's posts with your own opinion that supports the post is also a good way to build a relationship.

5.?????Focus on building relationships.

Relationships are two way.?You can measure yourself using the trust equation (Or ask someone else to measure you ?? ).?If you score high on the trust equation, relationships will flourish and so will your career.

?Credibility + Reliability + Intimacy

____________________________

?????????????Self-Orientation

?Score each one out of 10. The best possible score is 30. Where do you need to adapt?

Let me know if you spot the key point in building trust. What ONE component destroys everything else if it is missing?

?A link to the trust equation is at the bottom if you want to learn more.

?6.?????Buddy up with a connection or two, brainstorm, and share ideas.

You’ll no doubt have at least one contact that you know well and can work with to brainstorm and share ideas on what networking you can do.

7.?????Attend events (virtual or physical) that are hosted by your community.

Your community will no doubt be holding webinars or physical events.?Show up, learn and share comments.?Share the event prior to involve a wider audience and follow up afterward to thank the organizer.

8.?????Listen as well as talk.?Ask Questions.

Refer back to the trust equation.?If you think you listen well, double down on the amount of effort you are putting in.?Statistics show, we primarily want to share stories about ourselves, therefore hold that back for just a while longer than you had originally planned.

9.?????Follow up with new contacts or others who may have attended a similar event to discuss learning.?

Gratitude is so often missed.?It goes a really long way!

10.??Always thank someone who has offered you support and keep them updated on your progress if it’s a job opportunity.

As above.?Curtesy is also something that will reinforce your relationship.

Stuff to expand your understanding.

Trust Equation – Hit this link and you can read all about the mathematical equation you can build in order to understand where you need to work on to build deeper levels of trust.

(336) Understanding The Trust Equation for Professional Relationships - YouTube

6 Laws of Influence – If you wish to influence people, there are 6 accepted ways to do this. These are:

1. Law of Likability

2. Law of Reciprocity

3. Law of Authority

4. Law of Social Proof

5. Law of Scarcity

6. Law of Consistency

You will see many of these laws in action, throughout your networking activities.?Be conscious to utilise them wherever possible.

Building on your Strengths – Remember to identify your key talents, build them and make them into defining strengths that make you stand out. Visit www.2blimitless.com for more information.

If you liked this article, hit the like and share buttons to allow your community to benefit from the content!??Also, remember to follow the careers page at AES for more content around career development.?

https://www.aesinternational.com/join-us/experienced-hires

Thank you to Under Cover Recruiter and LinkedIn for the info graphs.