Career Networking in three key steps

If you aren't meeting at least three new people a week or expanding you circle of influence in your career or business you are selling yourself short of opportunities.

There is extensive research that shows strong professional networks lead to more job and business opportunities, broader and deeper knowledge, improved innovation capacity and faster career advancement. Research also demonstrates that over 80% of jobs are filled through networking.

Networking doesn't have to be a dirty word. It doesn't have to be inauthentic, salesy or pushy. In fact, I would suggest that approaching networking as a meeting of mutual interests is a far better way to find people you want to do business with or work for and/or with in the future.

Here's three key steps you can take to make networking more seamless in your day to day working life and learn to enjoy the experience during the process.

1- Focus on quality over quantity to build meaningful connections

I would choose three quality connections at a business breakfast over 20 weak ones. There is no point handing out a bunch of business cards and flying through the room like a whirlwind to meet as many people as possible. It won't provide the value you are looking for. You will know when you meet someone you connect with. The conversation you share with them will be insightful, you'll feel energised, you'll learn something new or you'll have a new found respect for this person. It isn't always tangible so trust your gut. Follow up after the event, connect on Linked In and book that coffee or Zoom call if the person is interstate. Be courageous because chances are they wanted to book that coffee as well but just hadn't got the nerve up themselves yet.

Step 2- Approach networking as a way to add value

People see through someone who is always looking to gain something from an interaction and moving to sales too quickly is just plain off-putting. The main thing to think of is how can I demonstrate value. It may not even be that you plan on doing business with this person but you have shared ideas, similar connections or a similar circle. You never know what you will also gain from this experience. Perhaps it is a new perspective on a project issue you have, insights into some of the key suppliers in your business or even feedback on a business direction you are looking to take.

Step 3- Join a mastermind program

Joining a mastermind program at the right level gives you access to other people experiencing the similar business struggles you do. It's your own personal networking group come ready-made for you which is brilliant when you are time poor. It also provides access to people from adjacent markets who you can leverage insights from and potentially bring new growth into your own field. Consider the amount of business experience you will gain as well as contacts from this experience. Then consider that for every deep connection in that group you will build another potential three connections through their circle.

Many people will often say to me "I hate networking" and find the whole concept "salesy" or "inauthentic" but it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, approaching networking from a perspective of adding value is a far better approach for both parties. There are 80% of roles being gained through networking and wouldn't you rather be accessing the full sphere of what is available to you in the industry rather than just 20%?

Go on, book that coffee. I dare you. In fact, book three more and you'll be on your way to your next dream job or client. Promise.