When it comes to your career, it’s not just about what you know, but also who you know. Talents and skills are undoubtedly crucial for professional success, but The Guardian also points out that 85% of all vacancies are filled through professional networking. Work connections can speed up your search for job vacancies, and even help you secure better positions.Unfortunately, many professionals miss out on great opportunities because they don’t leverage this strategy. So if you want greater success in your professional life, here’s why you shouldn’t skip out on networking:
Does Networking Really Work?
There’s a reason why networking is critical to success. A social informatics expert from the Edinburgh Napier University highlights that networking enhances two aspects of professional development: employability and self-directed career development. Since your network has knowledge of your skills, knowledge, and even your background, they can make your employability more readily apparent to potential employers.On top of that, networking also opens you up to various learning opportunities from industry professionals. This allows you to learn about relevant industry trends that can help you in your career path. Your network can even open you up to mentors or role models who will be willing to hone your technical skills. By simply reaching out to other professionals, you can progress your career by discovering opportunities or learning about skills.
3 Tips for Building a Solid Professional Network
Start with who you know
Here’s some good news: you already have a professional network. You may think that you’re working from scratch, but LHH’s guide on building a network explains that you can start with everyone that you know. While your friends and community members are important, the strongest individuals in your network are former colleagues who you can consider as references.Once you’ve identified these individuals, re-ignite your relationships by discussing past projects to see if they’re interested in collaborating with you. You can also discuss the future career paths that you want to pursue, so that they can guide you towards opportunities.
Use social media for networking
After strengthening your personal connections, you need to expand your horizons. In fact, Russ Shaw of the Tech London Advocates recommends that you leverage virtual networking platforms so that you can connect and get familiar with industry professionals in different geographical locations. By breaking down geographical barriers, you can take advantage of professional opportunities from various places in the world such as London!To accomplish this, you’d need to get out of your comfort zone and join professional communities that are in line with your preferred industry. You can join at least one or two, so that you can actively engage with the members and discuss your plans for your professional future.
Provide value for your network
Networking is a two-way street. Since your professional network will lift your own career, you also need to be of service to your own network. This allows you to build a stronger foundation among professionals within the same industry.You can help the members of your network by offering industry knowledge. To illustrate,our article ‘How to Make Money After Quitting Your Job’ notes that you can be a tutor for professionals who want advice or knowledge directly from you. If lots of people want your professional help, you can even set up an online course and make money from your knowledge in the long run. By contributing to your network’s success, you will get closer to individuals who are willing to support your career.If you want to be successful, networking is a must. Start by connecting with others and sharing your knowledge, and you'll be rewarded with opportunities for career progression.