The Winning Networking Mindset

“It’s not what you know, but who you know”. 

I have heard stories of friends getting internship or job offers from companies like Facebook or Google because they were close to the CTO or a manager at the company. The words “Networking is crucial” ring in my ears from every conference or workshop I’ve ever attended.

The words “Networking is crucial” ring in my ears from every conference or workshop I’ve ever attended.

The term networking often has a negative connotation attached to it, and I understand why. Sometimes people see networking as finding the most successful people in the room who could lead them to their next job or opportunity. This makes networking seem extremely shallow and it is why I used to be intimidated by it. 

Over the years, I have begun to think of networking in a different light. I have always been fascinated by people’s stories and learning about their passions. So whenever I approach a person, I do not think about how I can benefit from having them as a contact. Instead, I like to hear about their story because I am genuinely interested in learning more, and I vibe with their personality. 

Once I approached networking with this mindset, it was fun to network because I was meeting new people and learning about their passions and roads to success. It took off a lot of pressure off of me and the people I was speaking to. 

Some things I have found useful when I network include:

1. Being genuine. Smile wide and give a firm handshake if you are physically meeting the person. If you are networking online or via phone/video call, greet them warmly and be enthusiastic to hear about their story and advice. If possible, prepare beforehand. Be fully engaged in the conversation; listen and ask questions. Be ready to share your thoughts and experiences as well. 
2. Loosening up. Take a deep breath and don’t be so hard on yourself. If you happen to mess up, simply take it as a learning experience and try not to make the same mistake again. The person you are speaking to will feel more comfortable if they do not feel tension from your end.
3. Practicing. Engaging in professional conversations can take some time getting used to. You could start by speaking to people outside of your field to reduce the pressure you may feel of making a great first impression. This could serve as your warm-up and can boost your confidence before you talk to someone within your field. Remember that connections outside of your field are also incredibly valuable.
4. Keeping conversations short. Be mindful of the other person’s time. If you had a great conversation, be polite and ask them how you can follow up. You can continue the conversation over a call, coffee chat, or email exchange. If you did not enjoy the conversation, that is okay too; but make sure to be polite and thank them for their time. 
5. Treating everyone equally. We are all human beings and we should all be treated with respect. There is a whole world out there we do not know about, and being open to speaking with people from different backgrounds can expand your knowledge immensely. It may even result in you changing your goals or career plan.
6. Networking up and down. It is important to network with people who have higher positions than you do as well as people who are climbing up the ladder to where you stand. You can learn from anyone regardless of their level of experience.
7. Following up. Connect with the person on LinkedIn or ask them for their email. Write them a personalized message after meeting them, and keep them updated on the topics you spoke about. If there is useful information or an opportunity you come across that could help them, reach out and let them know. 

These tips have helped me learn from so many people from different industries and ages. I am grateful for every person I have met, because I have learned something from each interaction. 

I am grateful for every person I have met, because I have learned something from each interaction.

Having created genuine connections with people I have met has led me to be invited to personalized tours at big-name companies, obtained sponsorship for conferences, and even invited to private events with some of my role models. 

I invite you to try this mindset the next time you are networking, and I assure you that it will help you gain a lot of friendships, expertise, and possibly many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.