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Networking is about establishing, building, and nurturing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with the people you meet. In other words, networking is the act of expanding your circle of acquaintances by building your personal or professional contacts.
Networking can
-Assist with your job search
-Advance your current career path
-Learn more about a different industry
Networking allows you to meet others who can introduce you to future opportunities. In fact, 70-80% of people claim to have found work through their networks. Additionally, research indicates that 80% of new jobs are never publicly listed. Instead, they are filled internally or through network recommendations. Even better, research findings suggest that being referred to a job opening by someone who is already working within the company can dramatically improve your odds of landing the job.
There is no limit on who you can network with. In fact, it can be anyone but particularly, with past and present co-workers, managers, employers, business associates, alumni and classmates. It is important to be open-minded because you never know who will become an important person in your network. This can include building relationships with acquaintances from your personal life, family friends, or community members.
Benefits of networking:
1. It enhances career interests
Networking advances career interests by introducing you to people who can provide advice for career advancement like proofreading a resume or cover letter or practicing interview questions. Or, you may meet mentors in the same industry who can offer advice on asking for a raise or promotion.
If you are looking to network with people in your industry, check out our events page to stay updated on upcoming events.
2. It creates job opportunities
In some cases, available jobs aren't listed on a company's careers page and require inside knowledge. Your networking relationships might inform you of unadvertised job openings or even refer you. Be sure to let your network know if you're looking for a new job so they can offer chances for career advancement or personal growth.
For people who run their own business, networking can expose you to new clients or business investment advice. If you're doing the hiring, networking might provide the ideal candidate.
3. It makes you noticeable
People quickly notice others that have stronger capabilities to make them relevant. When you stand out in both your expertise and the services you offer, it creates room for partnership which in turn builds a career. Many professionals have been able to understand how to nurture their networking strength and create more visibility for different associates and clients in their career path.
4. An avenue to exchange ideas
You never can tell how much you know without listening to other people. Success in a career is largely attributed to the pool of information or ideas you have garnered over the past. When networks have been created, it fosters a trade of ideas to sustain long-term relationships and mutual trust. When you are receiving ideas, it helps both in your place of work and out, in addition to instilling best practices that soothe your career.
5. Growth in status
Developing your career status is a long-term process depending on how you focus on your networking path. Top career individuals that are where they are today is a result of the status they have grown in networking. The contacts you keep are largely attributed to your growth. They largely influence growth in your status and pave the way for better opportunities in your career. Your connections are powerful!
If you are looking to network with people in your industry, check out our events page to stay updated on upcoming events.
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