Women Who Network Are Women Who Win: 3 Keys to Master the Art of Connection

“Networking is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities.” – Michele Jennae

Networking is like a muscle, the more you work it, the larger and stronger it gets. To that effect, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. Throughout my extensive career, I’ve learned that everything we need is in a relationship. Too often, professionals underestimate the power of strategic relationship-building, and as a result, their personal development and career advancement suffer. Some contributing factors include fear of approaching others, lack of strong communication skills, low self-confidence, and even fear of rejection.

However, intentional-networking is essential to sustainable success. The more you do it, the easier it becomes, and the better you get. I’m committed to showing other professionals how to boost their social skills and foster genuine connections that leverage beneficial opportunities. Recently, I spoke to MBA students at the University of Notre Dame , explaining the art of connection. And on the heels of National Women’s History Month, below are three keys to help women master the art of connection and unlock their future through networking.

1.?????? How to network and make meaningful connections with the?right?people.

• Networking is more than swapping social media handles or collecting business cards. It’s about establishing and cultivating mutually beneficial relationships.
• Identify your current network and the changes you’d like to see.
• Set specific goals and look for targeted events and online networking opportunities.
• Identify the skills and resources you have to offer. Find three ways to help someone when you are meeting.?
• Practice your elevator pitch. Be clear, compelling, and credible in explaining to others, who you are, how what you do solves a problem/makes a difference, and what you’re looking to accomplish.
• Actively listen for shared interests, experiences, and mutual connections. Sometimes, the dots are easier to connect than you think.
• Be authentic and genuine.

2.?????? How to network with those in senior leadership.

• Do your research and strategize your approach to stand out from the crowd. Familiarize yourself with their online presence and platform, and look for common ground.
• Ask for specific advice, feedback, or mentorship. Be prepared to clearly answer a question like, “How can I help you?” Don’t be generic. Know what you want and be direct, but respectful.
• Use their time wisely. Executive and senior leaders have busy schedules, so their time is important, and so is yours. Prepare accordingly. Allow yourself time to speak, but more importantly, listen for ways to execute an effective follow-up.
• Offer help and support in a specific area, but don’t be pushy. This builds genuine trust and can segue into ongoing communication and interaction.??

3.?????? How to best communicate your transferable skills when making a career pivot.?

• Identify and highlight your current qualifications that would appeal to your potential employer.
• Highlight relative experiences that produced the greatest results. Follow up with evidence and clear explanations that prove you to be a necessary company asset.
• Actively listen and look for opportune moments to introduce new and different experiences that display your skillsets.

Your engagement is greatly valued and appreciated. How has strategic networking helped you throughout your career? Also, what would you add to these three keys? Let’s talk about it in the comments!