Networking: loving it or hating it?

We all have a tendency to like what we are good at; therefore, we tend to do more of it, and dislike what we are not good at, therefore tend to avoid it. Networking is one of these areas where some love it, some hate it, some are good at it and there are those that don’t get much success from it; however either way, we need to do it.

Networking Facts:

1. Those with high sociability, extravert personalities, are more comfortable in creating new relationships and have larger networks; however, extraversion does not correlate with network density, the frequency or greater emotional closeness required to engage (Malcolma C. et al 2001)
2. Both the volume and depth of relationship networks best create competitive advantage in careers, organizations, and markets (Burt, R.S. 2005)
3. You are 70% more likely to get an offer from someone that already knows you, advocates, than from a cold application (Dalton, S. 2012)

Building an effective network is therefore essential to career success, but rarely happens by accident. It doesn’t have to be difficult if you use the 3-step approach to network building; Firstly, know who it is you want to engage with, why you want to engage with them, and they to you, then explore their insight to develop a better understanding of what value you could offer and that then could lead to developing their advocacy of you.

Step 1. Identifying your area of interest and potential influential individuals

• Research your interest area, it’s key drivers and market expectations and clarify where your value would be to that area
• Identify potential organizations in your interest areas and individuals that operate in those organizations and approach them for initial networking conversations

Step 2. Networking Initial Insight and Information conversations

• Developmental exploring and building your knowledge of a market or potential career choice
• Developing your network in, and furthering your understanding of, a company, market, or area of interest you have identified as a viable target

Step 3. Developing Relationships and advocacy

• Actively seeking that person’s advocacy of you as a candidate, either generally for a particular company, within that company, or for a particular potential position
• Advocacy is only given when you have validated your brand position, transferable value for the opportunity / company, and is rarely given instantly

Tip #1              “Get them to talk about themselves” (Networking is not all about you!)

Tip #2              “Have something to say, know who you want to say it to, and why they would listen”

Tip #3              “Ensure your personal presentation is already prepared, and is congruent with the Personal Brand you wish to represent”

Tip #4              “Actually Engage over time; it is not enough to just build LinkedIn connections, or expect them to support you, or to just ask for jobs”

Networking does mean extending your connection base with new people, which means you must be prepared to “get out there” to meet new people by whichever method or media you’re most comfortable. That is the start, but once those connections are made, most of the time it’s about freshening and strengthening the relationships you already have with those people you already know.

“Effective Networking is getting your Profile in front of the right people, not just any people, engaging with them and being open to sharing your and their learnings”

Simon Crockett

Founder and Head Coach

To find out more email [email protected]