How To Power Boost Your Networking

Have you ever heard that your network is your net worth?  It is no secret that that networking is an integral part of any job search, and is an essential activity for long term employability. However, if you are an introvert like me, networking can be an uncomfortable experience.  Yet no matter what your personality type or communication style is, networking can be fun.

To be clear, networking is not going out in your power clothes to ask people for a job.  That may have worked 10 years ago but is not the comfortable or appreciated approach today.  Instead, networking as simply building or enhancing relationships with people.  It is about having an informal conversation with someone over a cup of coffee or a light lunch, and going in armed with some really good thought provoking questions to ask. 
 
Networking is about focussing on others – asking them questions based on interest and curiosity and listening fully to what they share with you.  The questions can be about their work, their role and their organization, or about their dreams, values and mentors they highly respect.  The topic of the conversation is not nearly as important as having others share their thoughts and feelings with you in a way that builds connection and relationship.  Or, you may be curious about how they got into the work they do, what the job market is like and perceived future trends, what problems their team is currently facing or how they see your skills benefiting their organization. 

Be a solutions expert, not a job seeker.  One of the greatest benefits of networking is that it facilitates valuable research and helps you to learn about new jobs and different kinds of work that have surfaced in the marketplace.  You can also gain key information about the challenges that companies might be facing so that you can approach them with the type of solutions that you can offer with your skills, knowledge and expertise.  If you can identify how you can help them, your job search becomes focused on service not seeking, and you also position yourself as a valuable expert in your field. 
  
Networking is building connection and also conducting essential research.
The easiest place to start networking is to reach out to people that you already know.  Think about all of the communities that your life intersects with – friends, neighbours, extra-curricular activities, ex-colleagues, fellow alumni, spiritual or cultural organizations, etc., in addition to people that you know who may be well connected such as hair-dresser, real estate agent, financial planner, dentist, etc.

Reach out to people and see if you can book a short time to connect.  If it has been a few years since you last spoke and you feel awkward reaching out, put your feelings out there.  Let them know that you feel awkward connecting but that you are back in the job market, and now that you have some time, are looking to re-establish or strengthen ties with your network.  Once you put “it” out there,  reaching out will feel less awkward.

Once you have made contact, consider what you want to get from the meeting and formulate some questions accordingly.  Also, be sure to prepare a “kick-butt” elevator pitch that clearly explains what you do and highlights the value you can offer.  Consider this as a guideline:

1. What do you enjoy helping organizations or companies to achieve? 2. What are you passionate about doing in your work?
3. How do you deliver on your work and what are some of your top skills? 4. What are you looking for or targeting in your next role?

At the end of your meeting, thank the person for their time and don’t forget to ask them if there is anyone that they can think of in their network or organization that they could connect you with as a new networking contact.  Always try and get a name from a name or book a meeting from a meeting so that (a) your networking pipeline does not run dry and (b) you continue to build links in the chain from your first point of contact to functional management or hiring authorities. 

Wishing you a successful week.

Lysa