The Power of Networking:

How do you use your network to improve your career goals?

Simple Definition:

Networking is the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.

It is a matter of how you use your connections?

Networking isn't merely the exchange of information with others — and it's certainly not about begging for favors. Networking is about establishing and nurturing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with the people you meet, whether you're waiting to order your morning coffee, participating in an intramural sports league, or attending a work conference. You don't have to join several professional associations and attend every networking event that comes your way in order to be a successful net-worker. In fact, if you take your eyes off your smartphone when you're out in public, you'll see that networking opportunities are all around you every day.

Do not be used by your network use it instead, experts agree that the most connected people are often the most successful. When you invest in your relationships — professional and personal — it can pay you back in dividends throughout the course of your career. Networking will help you develop and improve your skill set, stay on top of the latest trends in your industry, keep a pulse on the job market, meet prospective mentors, partners, and clients, and gain access to the necessary resources that will foster your career development.

The importance of networking in the workplace

You may assume that networking is an activity reserved for your time out of the office and off the clock, but nothing could be further from the truth. While there is much value in connecting with people who work at other companies or in different fields, don't discount the importance of networking in the workplace. Whether you're new to the company and want to get the lay of the land or you're already established and have your sights set on a promotion, networking with your co-workers can be incredibly beneficial to your career progression.

The importance of networking in the job search

It goes without saying that networking is incredibly important during a job search. The right employee referral can increase your chances tenfold of landing the job. And, if you're looking to make a career change, your professional network can support you by helping you find connections in the industry you are trying to break into or helping you find leads for jobs at specific companies.

Take the time to build meaningful relationships with those in your professional circle, so when the time comes to search for work, you can tap into those valuable connections for referrals, insights into job leads, and other valuable information.

Let's use all the contact we have in a meaningful way, do not ignore anyone you meet in your life. I may be marketing my company's products but the first people that I can refer to, are my close friends, family and relatives then business connections, social connections and the like.

Let's make sure all the people we interact with everyday have impact in our lives, if you find a lot of contacts in your network and they are not making any impact in your life rather wasting your time, just cut them off, disconnect with them, look for the best future.