Surprise! You may be better at networking than you think.
Too many people assume they’re no good at networking, and pretty much everyone says they dread it. But your next job opportunity will likely come from someone you know—as will most other opportunities that cross your path. Plus, networking is the best way to get answers to the professional questions you’ll have as you move forward. The good news is this: If you can hold a conversation, you’re probably better at networking than you think.
Every conversation is a chance to network
You can roughly divide networking opportunities into four big groups: people you know, connections of the people you know, strangers in your professional field, and random people. If you’re revving up your networking now, it’s probably easiest to start with people you know. Then, when you meet with them, you can ask them to connect you to people they know. It’s amazing how far these two groups of people can take you.
If you need something specific, you can use the skills you’ve honed in talking to your direct connections to reach out to someone cold. When you can, always chat with the random people you come across in line, on an airplane, at your best friend’s soccer match. In the world of networking, every conversation is potentially useful.
Networking don’ts
- Don’t automatically start with your name. If it’s the first thing you say, people will forget it. Start with a story, instead. “Hey, the last time I was at this soccer field, some guy needed five stitches after running into that fence over there…” You can give the person you’re chatting with your name toward the end, when she has a context for you and a reason to remember it. Along those same lines, skip your title. To anyone outside your industry—or even sometimes outside your company—titles are very hard to understand, and reciting yours can come across as formulaic. Instead, tell them what you do and what makes you special.
- Don’t dismiss your loose connections. Maybe you don’t know these people well, but that’s the point. The people you know well often have the same body of knowledge that you do. It’s the people who are farther from you who will see different opportunities. Don’t discount someone just because she seems at a professional remove from you. In the same vein, never discount someone because of her title; even if a connection seems junior, she may still have information or contacts that can be useful.
- Don’t be afraid to ask. That’s the point! If you need something, ask for it. And be the one who gives something, also. Share news of a job opening, a new research study, a great resource you found. Networks run two ways; give as many leads as you receive.
Networking do’s
- Do be easy to find. Keep your LinkedIn account current and make sure you include your email address in your summary statement so even people who are not direct connections can reach out.
- Do keep in touch. You don’t have to send long emails. A simple, “Hey, how are you, this made me think of you” on a semi-regular basis will go a long way.
- Do introduce your network to each other. The point is for your connections to know each other, too. Otherwise, you’re just the center of a bunch of spokes on a wheel. That’s not a network. Give back to the people around you by putting them in touch with people you know who could be useful to them. Even if you don’t see how this will immediately pay off for you, your network will eventually return the favor.
People who love to network understand that at it’s heart, networking is about getting to know a wide swath of people, and sharing interesting information with them. Every time you have a great conversation with someone, you’re networking. See, it’s not that hard.
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