How do people build their network?
In today’s fast-paced world, with virtual contacts and face-to-face meetings, networking is paramount to your professional longevity, and it is important to work to grow your networking circle actively.
With multiple benefits in mind, you must create a networking plan. Set out your goals and plan how you’ll expand your connections.
Networking events, industry conferences and tradeshows, social groups, networking websites and professional organizations can all provide opportunities to expand your professional network, as can building connections with former classmates, professors, coworkers and supervisors, but only when grown organically and authentically.
Building your network creatively is essential to make the most of opportunities outside your industry circles.
As discussed above, networking is more than collecting business cards; it requires building relationships. A good networking plan should be intentional and strategic – with clear goals on what interactions benefit your relationships while others might damage them.
Here is a list of what NOT to do when building your professional network:
- Do not be one-sided; networking should mutually benefit both parties involved, including exchanging ideas, opinions and opportunities.
- Don’t ask for jobs! Being strategic means not connecting for the sole purpose of finding employment. Remember that professional connections in your network likely know each other, so being pushy or artificial with new connections could damage their professional standing quickly.
- Be conscious of who and with whom you connect in networking; don’t attempt to form connections with those whose values differ significantly or with whom you feel uncomfortable, nor try forcing relationships on those who do not wish for one.
- No criticism, condemnation or complaints against or about professional connections, current coworkers or employers should occur during any discussion.
- Take care not to consume too much time; consider the time your connections dedicate to you.
- Don’t just sit there! Effective networking requires building solid relationships. To do that, you need to participate actively.
When you grow a networking circle transparently and genuinely, your connections will see the truth in you, and you will see what is true in them as well. And when you see each other in a transparent way, your connection will stay strong for a long time to come.
Networking Associates of Bucks
We meet at noon every Tuesday at The Water Wheel Tavern in Doylestown!