By Jeff Perry
“Networking is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities.” ~ Michele Jennae
Networking and its validity or importance in career development is written and talked about extensively — but what do you actually do to build your network?
While I am a proponent of networking both inside and outside your organization, this article will be mostly focused on networking with those you don’t work with currently. You need to look outside and learn from people who are in different companies, roles, and environments. Doing so will expand your insights, understanding, and opportunities beyond what you can do if you are only creating connections inside your current organization.
Networking on the Outside
Let’s look at a few reasons why establishing your network outside of your organization can be helpful. Reasons include, but are not limited to:
- They can provide future job opportunities or volunteer projects
- They may be a source of referrals for business or hiring
- You can learn from their experiences and perspectives
- Connecting across the industry could create partnership opportunities
- You can build your confidence
- You can increase your influence in the industry at large
- It can open you up to opportunities to speak or share thought leadership with others
What benefits and opportunities would you add to this list? What reasons are most important to you now, and which do you feel would be most influential to you later in your career? When you consider this, it might help you make networking a bigger priority instead of just neglecting it.
Networking Fundamentals
“The time to build a network is always before you need one.” ~ Douglas Conant
The sad thing is many people don’t work on networking until they really NEED their network. Instead, you should be cultivating your network all the time, so that when you need it, you have built relationships with many people who can help!
But it can be hard to know where to start and how to do it effectively. Don’t get too discouraged — just start where you already are!
Are you involved in other organizations outside of your current job? These can be faith-based, volunteer situations, hobby experiences, professional organizations like IEEE, or any other place where people gather physically or virtually. Simply using these opportunities to engage not just in what is going on in the moment, but to try and connect with people on a personal level, can go a long way.
Ask someone why they are there, how they found out about the event/cause, and what they most enjoy about it. You can then ask about their professional interests, which may or may not align with yours. It will likely require you to get outside of your comfort zone to start these conversations — that’s a good thing! And this is the whole point — networking is an opportunity for you to take the initiative!
As a note: You may be surprised how people who are in different industries or functions can influence your opportunities. Don’t just stick to people who do similar things as you!
Once you are utilizing the situations and groups you are already a part of, you can consider other places you might want to grow your network.
This should be done intentionally by asking yourself questions like:
- What career opportunities might I consider in the future?
- Are there particular skills I need to be building right now?
- Are there topics or causes I want to engage in more deeply?
- Which companies/organizations do I want to learn more about?
Asking yourself these questions will direct you to organizations, people, causes, and opportunities that you can connect with and meet those who can help you progress in the areas you identify.
Sometimes you’ll be connecting in groups, sometimes you might target an individual. Either way, if you connect with someone you want to grow a deeper connection to, find some way to take the relationship beyond the first interaction. Set up another meeting, make some plans, or at minimum collect their contact information so you can follow up.
Be a Giver, Not a Taker
“Networking that matters is helping people achieve their goals” ~ Seth Godin
This point is critical. All too often we tend to talk about networking only in terms of what we can GET out of it.
But that is not a strong foundation for building meaningful relationships (which, by the way, is what networking is about).
So here’s the principle: Don’t just use people or be a “taker” in relationships. Be a giver. Find a way to be a positive contributor.
Ways you can contribute to relationships include:
- Be extremely gracious as others share insights and resources with you
- Volunteer time and resources you have to causes your network cares about
- Follow up after meetings and events to show that you care and value what others have shared with you
- Connect your network with anyone you know who can be helpful
- Go above and beyond to contribute to your networking relationships in a way that is meaningful to others (which means you need to ask and find out)
Any other ideas you have to be a giver? Share them in the comments!
Take Some Action!
Networking can be life changing. Take one small action this week to expand or strengthen your network. Reach out to someone new, reconnect with an old contact, or join a new group you want to be a part of.
Just do something! You won’t regret it!
Digging Deeper:
External networks are also great to open you up to new mentors. Check out this free resource: 48 Amazing Questions to Ask Your Mentor!
About the author
Jeff Perry is the Founder of More Than Engineering and serves as a leadership and career expert for purposeful engineers and technology professionals on a mission to have great lives and careers. You can find more information at http://www.morethaneng.com or connect with Jeff on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffcperry/.
