Networking Tips!
This week, I started a little series on LinkedIn on 🌟 How to Network Correctly 🌟. I share 5 tips on how to think about the way networking is done and how to implement these strategies.
While many of these tips can be “found on Google” if you did some research, I was very thoughtful about sharing tips that would stay relevant no matter where you are in our networking journey. Whether you’re a student just starting out, or even a seasoned professional, these tips could be helpful should you need to take a moment to calibrate or need reminders to make sure you are always bringing and being your best self.
Good luck out there and have fun! 🧚🏻♀️
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💎 What are your values? What are things that are important to you that you thread across personal and professional life? We all have values and is usually our foundation and what keeps us grounded no matter what we are pursuing. Make sure you know yours.
🏋🏻♀️ Be clear on your talents, skills, and strengths that you bring to the table. While most think about what gaps they have, you should know how to speak highly of your own performance.
📝 List out what you want to talk about and corresponding questions. See if there are any themes to what you're curious about. This is helpful as it may narrow down the types of people you want to target.
💯 Lastly, this is one that I feel a lot of people miss -- Map out how you may be able to help others, whether that be now or in the future. Networking is continuous, but in its simplest form; it's people helping out others in an endless cycle. Helping others should not stop with you.
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🤫 One of the unspoken rules of networking is when to start. It's actually BEFORE you even need it. Seasoned networkers can tell who the folks in the room are that have one want in mind -- a job. Unfortunately it's much harder to build genuine relationships when it's self-serving. So start early!
👥 Start with who you know. You don’t have to start with a complete stranger! Is there a friend that you can talk about your professional life with? Is there a coworker in your department that has a career journey you'd like to know more about? Or an employee in your company outside your department that went to the same school? Remember, networking is finding and building support for everyone!
👩🏻💻 Virtual networking: If you are going to start reaching out to people on LinkedIn or other social media, do your research. Find commonalities and if they are able to talk about the things that interest you. If you're not yet connected, make sure to add a note when connecting and share what inspired you to want to network with them.
🤝 For networking in person, have a good foundation for building relationships. Here's a good way to structure a conversation.
1. Have an introduction ready and listen to their intro. Active listening is important here!
2. Build rapport. This is just a conversation on getting to know each other. You're finding commonalities, interests, learning fun facts, learning about each other.
3. Ask your questions. Once rapport is build, start asking questions that you're curious about.
📩 Have a follow up plan. If you've connected with someone on LinkedIn and haven't heard back, it's okay to follow up. If you had a conversation with someone virtually or in-person, follow up with a note of thanks and highlight your favorite parts about your conversations.
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⏳ Networking takes time and work. There's no real start and end to building genuine relationships. It's ongoing. Networking is a journey, not a destination!
❤️🩹 Don't take it personally if you don't receive a response. If after sending messages you don't hear back, follow up. If still no response, recalibrate and check if your outreach and motive need to change and find other people to connect with.
🥇There are people out there who truly want to help. You will receive a response! If out of 100 messages you receive 1 response, foster and nurture that connection.
🔢 It's not about numbers. Connections and followers ≠ networking.
🌎 Networking can happen anywhere! You don't have to be at an event, a conference, or even on LinkedIn! Connections can happen at the grocery store, on a plane, or coffee shop!
☀️It's actually fun and you’ll always be learning! Networking shouldn't be stressful. Sometimes it can be anxiety-inducing, but you're just getting to know someone and making new friends!
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Most people think of networking as a way to get all the answers. They also wonder what to talk about. But good thing the internet exists! 🌐
Remember in Tip # 1 🧠 we figured out what we wanted to learn, questions we had, and topics of interest. Here’s the next step: Do some research, learn about it on your own, formulate your own opinions and thoughts, and ask more questions.
🧳 Bring this with you when you network! When networking, we don’t want to answer questions all day. We like to hear what other people think, what insights they can share, what knowledge they can impart, and what additional value they can add to the conversation.
So don’t only bring your questions, but bring your learnings. Remember what you bring to the table 🧩
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🤲🏼 Give back and find ways you can be of service. Always ask the other person “how can I help you?”. If you’ve learned something new that would be beneficial for others to know, share it!
🗣 Ask for feedback and be open to ways to improve how you network. Networking is a skill that evolves with time and people. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice on how to be better.
👥 Ask for suggestions to expand your network. The awesome people you meet also know other awesome people who might be willing to connect. Take a chance on asking if there is anyone else they recommend you talk to continue your learnings.
👋🏼 For all my straight-shooters out there — please don’t skip the pleasantries. Ask how someone is doing and mean it before jumping into anything.
🗯 Don’t forget about anyone no matter how big or small a part they played in your networking! This is my most important tip because I personally hate when I’ve helped someone and I never hear from them again. Check in, share an update, keep fostering the relationship! Remember, networking is a JOURNEY not a destination.