Professional Networking | What Is It & Why it Matters

I’m always on the lookout for articles about networking. Here are a few snippets:

No matter which industry you work in, professional networking is the key to advancing your career.

And yet, you may not exactly know what professional networking is, how it can benefit your career, or who your professional network should consist of.

Essentially, professional networking refers to building and maintaining professional relationships that, ideally, benefit both parties through a mutual exchange of professional advice, referrals, career opportunities, and more.

As such, the goal of professional networking is to create a strong network consisting of a wide variety of professionals and industry experts that can help you achieve your professional goals and vice versa.?

The most popular places for professional networking include:

• Networking events
• Current and previous workplaces
• Social events and gatherings
• Alumni associations
• Online professional networking websites, such as LinkedIn

3 Benefits of Professional Networking for Your Career?

#1. Job Opportunities

Networking statistics show that as much as 70% of job openings aren’t advertised online.?

As such, by allowing you to connect with other industry professionals that may know of job opportunities, professional networking can significantly help your job hunt.

Not to mention, referred candidates are 4 times more likely to be hired, which makes professional networking one of the most effective ways to find a job.

#2. Career Research

If you’re unsure which career path is best for you, professional networking can help you make the right decision.?

Essentially, professional networking allows you to get in touch with professionals working in different industries and positions.?

As a result, you get an opportunity to ask questions about a specific career path, making it easier to learn and decide whether the job you’re interested in might actually be your true calling.?

In this regard, professional networking is particularly useful for recent graduates and professionals planning to make a career change.

#3. Professional Advice

Ideally, professional networking should be mutually beneficial. That way, it gives you a great opportunity to share and get professional advice.

For example, if you’re stuck on a project, having a broad professional network comes in handy. More likely than not, there will be someone that knows exactly how to get things moving.

Moreover, if you have expertise on a particular topic, professional networking allows you to share it with others. In turn, this can help you establish yourself as a highly-skilled professional.

Professional Networking Tips

• Participate in networking events. Attending networking events, such as webinars, conferences, and trade shows is one of the most effective ways to expand your professional network.??
• Overcome shyness with online professional networking. Studies show that online networking reduces anxiety and negative emotions that come with in-person networking. So, if the thought of introducing yourself to strangers makes you uncomfortable, you might want to try networking on LinkedIn and other similar websites.
• Make relevant connections. To take full advantage of professional networking, try to seek out contacts that will contribute to your professional goals (e.g. if you’re looking for a job in digital marketing, try to meet other marketing professionals).
• Ask open-ended questions. The most effective questions to ask during networking events are open-ended because they help you get a comprehensive answer instead of a mere ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ So, whenever possible, try to keep your questions open. For example, instead of ‘Do you enjoy working in this company?’ ask ‘What do you like the most about working in this company?’.
• Foster your professional network. To have a strong professional network, it’s not enough to just meet people - you also want to keep the connection alive. So, whenever possible, try to help your professional contacts, express gratitude to those that help you, and send follow-up messages and holiday greetings on LinkedIn or by email.

Who Should Be Part of Your Professional Network??

The people who make up your professional network are an essential part of successful networking.?

As such, you want to surround yourself with a variety of professionals, including:

• Current and former colleagues. Besides having industry knowledge, your current and past coworkers are also more likely to have a clear understanding of your professional capabilities, especially if you’ve worked closely with them. As such, they can give you useful advice, open up new career opportunities, and help you set achievable goals.
• College peers. It’s very likely that your college classmates work and have connections in the same industry as you, so make sure they’re part of your professional network.
• College professors. Much like our college peers, it’s very likely that your college professors have a broad network of industry professionals AND are interested in helping you with your professional goals, so it only makes sense to include them in your professional network.
• Fellow members of professional associations and clubs. Professional associations and clubs help you connect with other industry professionals. In turn, they may help you find new job opportunities, improve your skills, stay up-to-date with the latest industry news and trends, and much more.
• Family and friends. Your friends and family members may know someone that can help you advance your career and reach your professional goals, so consider making them a part of your professional network (even if they work in a different field).

Want to know more? Head on over to the full article here for more ideas and perspectives. Afterwards, why not drop me an email to share your thoughts at [email protected] ; or call me on 0467 749 378.

Thanks,

Robert