Networking 101: A Complete Guide

Has your job search been stalled, and do you want to start seeing traction?

It’s time to start networking!?

Networking can be daunting, where to start, who to talk to, and what to say.

This article is an extensive guide to networking.

Networking is not an opportunity for you to bombard your connections or connect with new people in order to ask them for a job.? It’s all about building relationships.

If you had a flat tire in the middle of the night and needed help, would you call an acquaintance or best friend?? If you called an acquaintance asking for help, they are less likely to come right away and would perhaps wonder why you didn’t just call a tow truck.

This is the same with networking.? You don’t want to jump in immediately asking for a job or asking them to do something for you.? You want to build relationships first.? That can start with informational interviews where you can ask them questions and get to know each other.? Once a connection has been built, there is an opportunity for favours and reciprocity.

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One thing to note: don’t just befriend someone with the plan to eventually get something out of them.? These should be genuine relationships where you actually show you care.

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Let’s talk about the steps to an effective networking relationship:

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1.???? Determine Who to Connect With & Why

You need to get clear on your goals.?

If you have a clear idea of where you want to go, start doing some research and understand what you really want to know.? (Need help on Career Clarity, check out THIS blog post).? Some questions you can ask include:

-What companies interest me?

-What roles do I want to be considered for?

-What do I want your work/life balance to look like?

-What are my long-term career goals?

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Once you have clarity on your career direction, positions, and companies you are interested in, determine a reason for your networking.? Perhaps the end goal of your networking is to get a job, but let’s dig deeper.? How could being connected to leaders in your desired industry be beneficial?? They could keep you updated on current trends, connect you with one of their colleagues, invite you to networking meetings to meet more people, and so on.

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Your reason for networking with people should go deeper than just a job and build genuine relationships.? Now you should have a blueprint of who to contact and why you want to do so.

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Now it’s time to make a list of leaders you would be interested in talking to.? These don’t have to be CEOs of companies (unless your career goal is to achieve CEO).? Think about people in the next level of their career from where you are.? If you are entry-level, reach out to people in mid-management and above.? If you are in mid-management, reach out to people in senior management and above.? You get the picture.

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*If you are unsure of your career direction, your networking will look different.? You might reach out to people in companies you think would be interesting and ask them how they got there and what next steps you should take.?

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2.???? How Can I Add value

?In the previous point, we talked about the benefits of networking outside of just getting a job.? Now those were still self-serving benefits, reasons to keep you motivated in the networking process.

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Next, you want to consider how you can add value to the people you are reaching out to, not just what they can do for you.? This involves clarifying your skills in your specific industry and how you can solve problems.

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For example, if you are a pro at customer service, you can bring your customer service philosophy that has diffused several volatile situations and be willing to share that.

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As a Career Coach, I provide value by sharing these blog posts so you can learn without engaging my paid services.?

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What value can you deliver to someone you network with?

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3.???? It’s Time to Reach Out

You have done your homework, you have a list of people to reach out to, and you understand how you can add value to them.? It’s time to reach out and start the conversation.

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This can be done in a few ways.? The easiest way is through LinkedIn.? LinkedIn is a great way to connect with people you don’t know and strike up relationships casually and easily.? The challenge with LinkedIn is not everyone is super active on the platform.? So many people set their profile up and forget about it, so you may get ghosted. (Need to Spruce up your LinkedIn profile? Check out THIS post.)

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Another way is to search for the company, find the company directory and reach out directly via email.? Once the email lands in their inbox, it’s up to them whether they choose to respond.

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Here are two message templates you can use when asking for an informational interview:

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Hi <First Name>,

Thank you for accepting my connection request.? I see you have worked at <Company Name> for the past several years, and I am so interested in what they do!? I would love to chat with you about the company and how you started working there.

I know you are really busy. ?If you have a few minutes to spare, I would appreciate it.? If not, no problem.

Have a great week,

<Your Name>

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Hi <First Name>,

My name is <Your Name>, and I found your name when I was looking into transitioning to <Industry Name>.? I see you made a career change and recently entered the <Industry Name> industry.? I would love to hear about how you made that transition.?

If you have a few minutes to spare, I would appreciate a conversation.? If not, no problem.

Have a great week,

<Your Name>

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As you can see, the templates above are quite simple.? You can change them to be any variation.? If you have mutual connections, it is always helpful to mention those as well.

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As for the subject line, keep it simple.? Something short like “Quick Question” can go a long way.

Be prepared to get ghosted or receive some no’s.? Some people are protective of their time or are really busy between their work and family time.? It’s not personal.? Just keep at it, and you will meet some great people!

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4.???? Conduct Informational Interviews

Be organized and ready for your informational interview.? This person is dedicating their valuable time to help you, make sure their time is not wasted.? Prepare a list of questions you genuinely want to ask.? Some questions might be:

-How did you start working for <Company>?

-What do you enjoy about working for <Company>?

-How did you make the transition from <industry> to <new industry>?

-Do you have any suggestions for me to take for the next steps in my career?

Don’t forget questions that allow you to add value:

-What do you find to be the biggest challenge your company/team is facing?

-If there is one thing you could change at your job today, what would it be?

-In your opinion, what do you think is the biggest roadblock in <industry>?

This will help you determine any challenges or struggles the person is facing in their career or at their company.? After the meeting, you can now showcase your skills in real time by offering value.

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5.???? Provide a Value Add

So, you had a great interview with a leader in your industry.? They were super helpful and told you their biggest challenge was they are working on legacy software that lags and is inefficient (for example).? This is where you come in!

Develop a proposal that solves their problem!? Detail how your proposed solution can save them time, solve their challenges, and improve their daily workflow.? This is a great way to showcase your skills and acts as a living resume.?

Our resume states a whole bunch of things we have done but doesn’t provide direct examples of our talents in action.? Delivering a proposal with a real-time solution does just that!?

They may not have told you about any challenges at work, so perhaps there is no proposal to create.? That’s ok; there are other ways to add value.

-Connect them with a mutual connection that can further their career.?

-Provide resources that may benefit them.?

-Share opportunities you came across that they may appreciate.

-Show you genuinely care about them or their family by asking questions and listening.

What other ways can you add value?

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6.???? Follow-Up

Don’t forget to follow up!? If you have one meeting and forget about them, they aren’t likely to refer you to future open positions or share your name with others.? Keep in contact and build those relationships; you never know what opportunities will present themselves.

Although networking can be scary and intimidating when you first do it, if you follow this formula, you will meet some incredible people and build a network that will serve you as your career grows.

Need help with networking? I’m here to support you in your journey!