Written By Leslie J. O’Connell
Name a professional skill that’s rarely taught and too often overlooked, neglected and avoided. It’s a skill that has the power to change the course of your career – or business – and even your life. It’s networking.
Did you just cringe?
I thought so. I was in your camp until last January when I found myself without a job for the first time ever. Uncertain and anxious about my next chapter, I turned to my lifeline – Danielle, my career transition coach. From the start, in her charming Southern drawl, she graciously and firmly nudged me. Her indispensable advice: Finding my next gig would hinge on networking. Stats show that nearly 80 percent of new career opportunities are landed due to networking – particularly for experienced professionals. For solopreneurs and small business owners, networking is a growth accelerator.
I took a deep breath and got started. As an introvert, I surprised myself. Six months later, I’ve connected one-on-one — in person or virtually — with 200-plus professionals. Plus, I credit networking for spotlighting a new career path.
Boundless benefits: Community & connection
What’s networking? As my teen daughter put it, “You mean talking to people?” Yes. Networking is simply cultivating a relationship.
It’s:
• Reaching out and setting up one-on-one conversations with people
• Exploring your counterpart’s business priorities and insights
• Finding common ground to be helpful to each other
So why do it? Think of networking as expanding your community professionally and personally. We all grow from connections. In this time of virtual reality, we crave connections more than ever.
Plus, networking will ignite new ideas. It may even prompt you to consider your career or business differently and introduce new possibilities – both when you’re actively employed and when you’re in a career transition.
How to get started
Feeling stalled? Here are a few tips:
Start in your safe zone: Reach out to a professional colleague – perhaps a former coworker, customer, vendor or other contact. Scan your LinkedIn connections for ideas. Send a note through LinkedIn or by email and offer a chance to catch up for 20 minutes. (BTW, most everyone can spare 20 minutes.) Offer a call, virtual video, meet-up at a park bench, or maybe coffee or lunch. Make sure it’s mutually convenient.
Be curious: When you connect, ask about what’s new with them, what priorities are on their mind. It doesn’t take much to get a conversation going. Most people like to talk about themselves – especially when you’re genuinely curious, interested and listening.
Share: Share briefly what you’re up to. Be purposeful. Be brief. Be done. Be clear why you reached out. People are happy to be helpful as long as they know what advice you’re seeking. You may want insights about target companies, needs of potential customers, types of services that are in demand, or a contact name or two.
Be helpful: Remember to give, not just get. Ask how you can be helpful in return. Perhaps you can share a helpful insight, make an introduction, or follow up with an article of interest.
Drop in: Beyond one-on-ones, find an event – virtual or in person. There are countless options – a professional organization or meet-up, mastermind group, alumni event, or business breakfast. Check out EventBrite or listings in your local business media. Buddy up with a friend if you hesitate going alone. Just be sure to branch out once you’re there. Tickler: Attending is just the start. Make a point to connect one-on-one later with one or more people whom you met.
A professional network is a valuable asset – now more than ever. Be bold. You’ll gain a community, connections and confidence. And there’s no telling how a network will accelerate your career or business growth. So…how will you get started this week?
Leslie O’Connell is a leadership and career coach and a communications advisor. She thrives on
bringing out the superpowers in professionals. See more about Leslie here.