When was the last time you attended a networking event? These are events that usually take place after work on a Wednesday evening near the center of town. Complete strangers walk in, nervously make small talk with maybe one person, throw down a pile of business cards on the table, and leave. And they are just an awful way to build your network. Networking isn’t about handing out business cards – it’s about building relationships that will last your entire career and beyond.
People with strong networks do better in their careers. Networking gives you access to jobs and mentors, but it’s way more than that. It can give you word of mouth referrals, strengthen your creativity, and put you in touch with people who have the skills you lack. Progress doesn’t happen in a bubble, and many times in your career you will need to have a diverse network to call on in order to move the creative process forward in all the ways you can’t do by yourself.
Finding jobs is one of the biggest reasons people cite for building their networks, however. Most companies rely on recommendations to fill positions, and they will look at things like your LinkedIn network and profile on top of any word of mouth recommendations they receive about you. Your resume is basically useless at this point.
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If you haven’t started building your network, both offline and online, now is the time to start. It’s not going to be easy – meeting people and developing relationships is something that takes time. Try not to be too transactional about it – authenticity is key. But once you harness the power of your network you will understand why it is such an important step in building your career. Learn more about the art and science of networking from this infographic!
Infographic Courtesy of NetworkWise
