The Power of Connections: How Networking Can Propel Your Career Forward

(I'm excited to share that the following article was created in collaboration with AI. The source material is pulled from my own work, however. Of course, I still wrote a large portion of the article. The content was edited and checked by me, too. Let me know what you think of the finished article in the comment section! ~ Andrew Seaman )

Successful careers are a balance of various elements, including talent, skills, work ethic, and more. Some of those pieces carry more weight than others. In my opinion one of the most important factors among those elements is networking. You can get ahead without networking, but experience has taught me that it is a secret sauce when it comes to career success.

The most common use of networking is when a connection highlights new opportunities that you can go after with their help. You can also benefit from networking at a current employer, though. For example, you can bring talented people into your organization. You can also ask your connections at your current employer to be advocates for you in meetings and other important conversations.

Despite these and other benefits people can get from networking, many shy away from building connections and relationships.?

Elise Powers , who is the founder of Eleview Consulting, recently joined me on my weekly podcast to discuss networking best practices. Powers has largely propelled her career and business forward thanks to networking.

I want to share three of her top networking tips for you to employ in hopes that you can take advantage of its benefits.

Build Relationships

Networking is most effective when approached as an opportunity to build genuine relationships.?

Focus on learning about the other person, their experiences, and the organization they work for. "And then you say, 'everything you've said has reinforced my interest in working at x, y, z company. What would be your advice for me? Any thoughts on how I may be able to position myself for an opportunity?,'" said Powers.

Express gratitude for their time and advice, and invest time in building rapport before reaching out to increase the likelihood of a positive response.

Be Strategic and Methodical

To maximize the benefits of networking, stay in touch with your contacts regularly, with at least three touchpoints per year.

“You can go as low tech as an Excel spreadsheet where you write down the people you've met, you want to stay in touch with, maybe even proactively set a date," Powers says. "You can go high-tech and use a system like HubSpot or Asana."?

Find ways to add value to your connections by sharing articles, insights, or making introductions. This helps you stay top of mind and maintain strong relationships.

Don't Get Discouraged

Some people approach networking as a numbers game. You may not always receive a response, but keep reaching out to more people and adjusting your approach if necessary.

"I think of networking as a numbers game, very similar to dating," Powers adds. "I don't think anyone expects to get on a dating app, swipe once, make a match, and then that is your soulmate for life. You have to play the numbers game. You've got to reach out to a lot of people."

Remember that rejection is part of the process. Your networking efforts will eventually pay off with persistence.

Networking is an essential component of career advancement. By focusing on building relationships, being strategic in maintaining your network, and playing the numbers game, you can significantly increase your chances of growing professionally.?

Remember to approach networking with a genuine interest in learning about others, and always express gratitude for the time and advice shared by your connections. As you continue to develop your network, you will unlock exponential opportunities for career growth and success.

You can listen to or read my full conversation with Powers by clicking here .

Next up in?LinkedIn ?CEO?Ryan Roslansky 's?new series :?Caroline Wanga , who is the incredible president and CEO of Essence. Be sure to check out Ryan’s interview with Kelly below. Also, be sure to subscribe to Ryan’s newsletter?by clicking here .

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As you can tell from above, I'm a fan of networking. I believe the underlying foundations of networking don't change, but there are many different strategies you can try to see which works best for you. This LinkedIn Learning course focuses on digital networking strategies for connecting with hiring managers. You can watch it below or by clicking here .