Steps to Build Your Career Connections

I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to share an article I read about Steps to Build Your Career Connections. Below are a few highlights:

Networking simply means connecting with people and cultivating a mutually beneficial relationship. That time you wanted to join a club on campus, so you met students who were in the club, became friendly, and eventually joined the club? Networking. It’s something that doesn’t need to be scary, and you’ve most likely networked before.

1. Start with whom you know

Start by reaching out to who you already know—it’s great practice, and you never know where your current connections could lead. Who is in your current network? Your network includes family, friends, roommates, alumni, club or organisation members, former and current coworkers, neighbors, and more. Ask the people around you if they know anyone who is in a career field that interests you, or works for an employer you’d like to learn more about.

2. Be open to meeting new people

Throughout your career, but especially when you’re starting out, go out of your way to meet new people. Don’t discount a new acquaintance because they don’t have a connection to an employer or role you want. The more people you meet and share your career goals with the better. And remember, networking is an “always on” activity, meaning you should seek out new connections and nurture your network even when you’re not looking for a job. As long as you’re in the workforce, you should be building professional relationships.

3. Be curious and ask questions

Networking isn’t just about meeting people who can help you. The most successful professional relationships are between two people that are interested in learning about and supporting each other. So instead of just focusing on yourself and what you’re looking for, ask thoughtful questions and get to know the person you’re talking to. Think of some questions ahead of time that can keep your conversation going. When in doubt, when someone asks you a question, turn the question around and ask something similar after you’ve answered.

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

Thanks,

Robert