People are Bridges

Network Your Way To Your Next Career Opportunity With These Simple Strategies.

We all stream into networks of people and systems that lend to constant growth in our lives, especially our professional lives. These are the people we count on to help us grow our businesses, get fresh ideas, or simply change the oil in our cars.

The best part about networking is that networking opportunities are alive and abounding all around us. Connecting to people while you’re waiting in line for coffee, on a hike, grocery shopping, in line at a bank, or when you’re at a crowded networking event---All of these moments can be maximized to increase your networking possibilities!

Whether you are excellent, decent, or just subpar at making social connections with others, know this----networking is a skill that can be learned. Add the following strategies to your subset of skills in order to maximize your networking experiences, wherever you go:

Relaxed Body Language- First impressions begin with presence. For this reason, be aware of your body language. Make excellent eye contact, stay connected, and give the other person your undivided attention (put that damn phone away!). A relaxed stance, visible hands, and a smile provide the impression that you are open, friendly, and approachable. There is power in a calm demeanor and relaxed body language.

Keep Your Conversation Openers Simple- Use a simple opening line, such as, “hi how are you?” Use your surrounding environment to help propel the conversation. You can mention the venue or something you noticed around you. Don’t sweat this part, when you keep your introduction simple, it will make it easy for the other person to join in and add to the conversation.

Ask Open Questions- Such as, “Tell me about you.” “What business are you in?” “That sounds interesting, tell me more.” “What inspired you to join that company/or pursue that career? “What was it like when you first started your business or started your job? “How do you approach new challenges in your field/business/career now?

Be a Giver- From my experience, I have found success in making networking with others. Zig Ziggler stated, “If you help enough people get what they want, you will always have more than enough of what you want.” Allow networking to be a proactive approach to meeting people in the prospect of helping the person you are engaging with. The best way to be memorable is to micro-focus on helping the person in front of you with any problem they are looking to solve.

Create An Experience- Be Memorable: At the heart of it, effective networking is all about how you make the other person feel. When you focus on helping others, by listening to them, and asking engaging questions you fuel trust and openness; allowing for shared communications that may benefit both in the long run. Don’t ever talk about yourself, but when asked, leave the other person with something memorable about you.—Something about your passion, what you do exceptionally well, share your new ideas, or goal that will spark interest and keep the door open on curiosity. The focus is to have a memorable experience with another person who will think of you when your skills will solve a specific problem.

Manage Your Time Well- The best interactions can last between 2-5 minutes. The purpose is to connect, and engage, but not get lost for a half hour, or so, in someone else’s life. Be thorough and brief. You can always reconnect at another point, if it makes sense, or if there is a compelling reason to do so.

Don’t Ever Ask for a Job- Many make the assumption that networking is all about landing a job or interview. Perhaps that may be an inevitable result down the line, but networking is more about making a connection and adding this person to your arsenal of referrals or contacts for future experiences. When you ask for a job, the person has no choice but to respond with yes, or no, and this becomes a conversation terminator. You don’t want to lead the conversation to a dead end, instead, allow for a natural flow of conversation that continues to be centered on the other person, allowing for future opportunities to be open and rich in potential.

Things Are Not Always What They Appear To Be- Don’t ever make assumptions about the person you are speaking with. Although they may dress a certain way, or share their job position, or business with you, keep an open mind with people. The person you may be speaking with may not have the exact connection you need, but they may be connected to another network of specialists or job possibilities, or a new idea that is exactly what you need. Treat every person with genuine interest and set your mind to learning from him or her.

In conclusion, everyone you meet is a bridge to a growth opportunity. Become aware of your surroundings, and incorporate these strategies, at a pace that is comfortable for you. As you become better at social interactions, you will be amazed at how your career options will flourish. Start at a smaller scope, and set goals to build up from there. Today, you can start building your social networking skills by connecting with 1 person, or prior acquaintance, and learning something new about them and what they do. Practice is a crucial element when building social skills. There is no better time than the present when deciding to build your expanding network to career opportunities that never end. Meet someone new and interesting today!

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