Women at Work: Networking Tips That Can Help You
Networking is a key ingredient to professional success. Of course, your talents, skills and hard work are the core of it, but somehow, you know the right people to get ahead. A common misconception about a fierce woman networker is that she lacks skills and talent and needs ‘the right connections’. It couldn’t be more wrong as the intensity and need for collaboration in the workplace continues to reach new heights.
Researchers all over the world agree that adding networking to your list of skills is vital now more than ever.
Lou Adler, CEO & best-selling author, conducted a survey on LinkedIn with over 3000 people and discovered that 85% of all jobs filled are via networking. Networking is essential to find a job, a good hire, a client, vendor, mentor and mostly anyone. Here are some ways you can network better, and keep your eye out for some pandemic proof tips:
1. Through Your Social Circle:
As much as no one likes to talk shop outside of the office, professional networking through your social circle is probably the best and easiest way to network. This is a common problem we all face because most of us, when we leave our office, we leave our ‘work personality’ behind as well. This means that your friends probably know very little about your job skills or aspirations. This backfires when you need something and people who are close physical proximity to you don’t really know to help you.
Tip 1 - Let them know when you are looking for a specific expert: It may surprise you at how often they know someone who can help you.
Tip 2 - Keep them in the loop: Don’t just celebrate a work victory with them, tell them what next, they might be able to help you achieve the next target.
2. Your College or School Alumni Association:
Doesn’t matter if it’s been many years now, connect with your alma mater. You will not only find a group of professionals, but will also be able to connect over a variety of topics like teachers, sports, classmates or even the ‘hangout spot’ around the corner. Most schools and colleges have an Alumni Association that you could use to grow your network. All those events that you have been shying away from, attend them. Here is how you can make this task a little easier:
Tip 1 - Find a classmate and reconnect: You just need that one classmate you can reach out to on social media, preferably someone who is part of the association or attends these gatherings. This will keep you in the loop.
Tip 2 - Join WhatsApp Groups (pandemic proof hack): Just popping in to say a couple of words and to take part in conversations will keep you fresh in the minds of your old peers. This might help when you need to reach out to them as well.
3. Your Former Bosses and Colleagues:
You don’t have to get along with, or be working with them to keep in formal touch. Remember, your colleagues are from the same field or industry. They will be in the best position to help you when you need it. Here are some simple tips for this type of network.
Tip 1 - Upper-level managers are well-connected (pandemic proof hack): Staying in good terms with them means that they may be in a position to introduce you to some of their own connections, give you a recommendation or a heads up about opportunities you might be interested in.
Tip 2 - Stay in touch (pandemic proof hack): Just a casual ‘how are you doing?’ or sending over an interesting post/topic that would interest them on social media will definitely help you grow your network.
4. Conferences and Events:
If you have been calling networking conferences a waste of time, you need to change your stance. Just put your game face on, and go. Not all events are great, choose wisely, if not anything you will score some freebies, food, drinks and some conversations. Here are some tips to use those meetings and events as an opportunity to make new and valuable connections.
Tip 1 - Research the speakers of the event: Knowing who the speakers are at these symposiums is important. This gives you a common talking point when approaching other people at the event.
Tip 2 - Find a conference buddy: If it is not someone from your office, make friends with a person you see attending most of the same events as you. This will give you the confidence to approach people.
Tip 3 - Exchange business cards: This is a very good exercise. You could also swap over to exchanging e-cards if you’re all for the eco-friendly options.
5. Social networking:
This is what is working in the pandemic! All you need is to seek key contacts on professional networking sites like LinkedIn, Xing, Bark or Opportunity and connect with them and engage in conversation. Here are a couple of hacks for this method of networking:
Tip 1 - Comment or Like their posts or shares: If you have an opinion on their activity, express it and get a conversation going. These discussions will serve as conversation starters the next time you meet.
Tip 2 - Ask them to review your resume: This is a great hack, find out if they would help proofread your resume and give you some pointers. In doing so they will discover your work history and are most likely to reach out if they see a role you would be perfect for.
As women, we need to stay on top of our networking game, one wrong move and our reputation can precede us. The right networking skills are a potential game-changer, especially in a pandemic situation. We hope you benefit from our tips and hacks in growing your own circle of professional connections!
(Edited by Neha Baid)
