Networking is intimidating for so many people so much of the time. But, if someone asks me, what is the most important thing for growth, I would say networking! Do you know that almost 70% of the job openings aren’t even listed? So, how do the companies get the right candidates to apply? Yes, you guessed it right. It is because of networking.
Unfortunately, hundreds and thousands of people every year turn their backs on opportunities or let go of their dream careers just because they are reluctant or rather don’t know how to network efficiently. Let me put it right. In today’s world, if you don’t know how to leverage the power of your network, you will be left behind.
So, how can you access your network and make sure it increases your chances of success. Let’s discuss all the ways through which you can use your network whenever you have an opportunity to do something in your life:
Don’t Be Afraid To Reach Out!
We often worry that asking for help is somehow equivalent to weakness. As we grow, life and the world around us makes us think that whenever we struggle, we should gather personal strength to get out of it on our own. Believe me, when I say, this belief does more harm than good. The real power and strength lie in togetherness. It is formed in communities. Don’t be ever afraid to reach out to others for help or assistance. Text. Call. Post on Facebook. Use whichever medium that suits you but do reach out.
Don’t be afraid to say I need help and assistance. Because when you do that, the people you know will refer you to people they know who can offer you aid and support. This helps build a chain of people who you can get in touch with to get the help required. Hence, never be afraid to ask for it.
Be Open To Help
Just as you want others to help you when the need be, be there for them as well. Asking for help goes both ways. Practice helping others in your network by being the first to ask what they need and what they might be looking for. Asking them first allows you to see if you can help with their needs. You may also find that you can connect them to someone else in your network who can offer better resources than what you have available. Helping others has the added benefit of making them not only more likely to help you in turn, but to magnify how much they will be willing to help.
When you are open to help others, you are open to discussion on shared experiences. Ask the person what they need and how you can provide them the right support. Sometimes, you might not be the right person to help them. And that’s fine too. In that case, you need to see if you know somebody else in your network who would be the right fit. Trust me, this help will go a long way.
Be Intentional In Building Your Network
Networking requires intentionality. You must be intentional in how you build your network and community of supporters. Think about where you can find your network. It doesn’t have to be professional; you can build your network at church functions, or even at your local grocery store. You just have to be intentional.
In the professional world, “networking” has become synonymous with “go to an event and hand out all your business cards.” While business cards can be a helpful part of networking, it is a very small slice of the networking pie. Nobody remembers you for your business card; they remember the impression you left. They remember how you made them feel. When you are intentional about networking with people, you try to get to know them beyond the surface level of chit-chat. You ask deeper questions to show a genuine, authentic interest in who they are.
When you learn more about who you are networking with, you have more information about whether you want to add them to your network, and you will feel more comfortable connecting them with other opportunities and people you already know.
Be Comfortable In Discomfort
It is said that if you aren’t uncomfortable when meeting and connecting with new people, you are not aiming at the right people. Discomfort is a part of networking with new people. You might feel that your frequencies or ideas do not match, or you might feel that you won’t be able to develop a connection. But, for most people, discomfort is inevitable at the beginning of the conversation. You need to learn to be okay with it and get past it to develop connections.
Often, this discomfort is the sign that you are talking to the right person. We often feel hesitant and uncomfortable while networking with intellectually sound people. Therefore, do not let your discomfort snatch your opportunity of interacting with people with who you should have a connection with.
Networking isn’t a one-off activity or conversation. It isn’t you talking to a random person in an event once and expecting the next time you meet them; they will remember you. It is you intentionally deciding to make the contact and stay in touch with them. If you follow the simple tips I have mentioned above, you will be on your way to not only create a vast network but it will be the one you will be able to leverage when the need be.
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