Networking Strategy
Have you thought about your networking strategy? Do you have job offers coming to you? Do you ever wonder if you would find job opportunities after leaving your current job? Have you ever looked at the list of all your professional contacts? Have you thought about how many of then you could reach out to for professional advice?
If the answer to one or more of these questions is no, it might be time to look at your networking strategies.
Traditional Networking
Networking, as it is known today in the business world, started to gain momentum in the mid 1900’s. Yes, back then when your parents were born. Before then, most people found jobs through their friends and family. They also stayed in the same job for decades until retirement. The current concept that was born after the WWII came from the advent of globalization. Companies started expanding beyond their own borders and professionals started finding value in getting to know others and potentially seeking other job opportunities.
Fast forward to 2010 and we are in the era of an interconnected world. People communicate through social platforms. Money, goods and services are exchanged largely online through market places. Networking has become the norm among professionals, especially those starting out.
Networking advice ranges from making a sport out of getting LinkedIn connections to becoming a social bee and touching on any and every networking event that is out there in your city. But is this type of networking really effective? Does having 1000+ connections really help you when trying to find a job? In my personal experience the answer to this question is no. For more info on what others think of this topic, check out this article “Go Ahead and Skip That Networking Event” (HBR, 2018)
Networking but Not Connecting
Don’t get me wrong here, having people in your LinkedIn can be productive. It allows your name to be more visible to companies recruiting, that’s how their algorithm works. The more you use the platform, the more visible you are, the more you will be found and contacted by recruiters. Attending events is also a good idea. During events you can practice your professional “elevator pitch” which can make you or break you during an interview. It also allows you to become part of the community where you live and feel more comfortable day to day.
However, this particular type of networking can be ineffective when it comes to finding a new job or seeking professional advice. The reason is because not many of those people that you give your elevator pitch will get to truly know you. If they don’t know you, they won’t be able to recommend you or steer you in the right direction. So, what’next on the list of things to try?
Effective Networking
Effective networking, from our perspective, is about building lasting relationships with relevant peers. Given that concept, there are two main components to effective networking: lasting relationships and relevance of those relationships.
Lasting relationships are built by continuous day to day interaction with people that share common interests and lifestyles. It is during those times, sitting around and having a meal or going out for an event where you truly get to know the person. It is through sharing the day to day that the other person gets to know you, what your skills are, what your goals are and what you can offer from both a professional and personal perspective. That kind of knowledge does not happen in 5min and can be game changing when you need that person to refer you for a job or open the doors to an opportunity for you.
Relevance is created by sharing those times with people that can have some impact on your career. Weather they work in the same or similar industry or function, or they share a common network of alumni or they have the same educational background. Relevance also depends on what you are looking for in your career. People that do not work in your company are potentially more relevant when you are trying to look for different opportunities. People inside your company can be more relevant if you are looking for a promotion or transfer.
So What is the Answer to Networking
In my opinion, you should work on making your networking effective without dismissing the exposure benefits offered by traditional networking. Yes, put yourself out there, connect in LinkedIn and attend events. But also focus on effective networking. Build significant enduring relationships with peers that can be relevant to your career not only today but in 5, 10 or 15 years from now. With the combination of approaches, added to your skills and experience, it is likely that you will be able to access opportunities and make career progress.
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Great points Sofi. You are asking questions a lot of young professionals must be asking themselves and you provide some good advice. Good work.
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Hi. Nice idea. Caveat: Business networking has been analyzed as far back as 1775 in the US, if not earlier than that. Also…typos abound on this site, including the post above. One example: “weather” for “whether”. Look, your intent is good. Please rewrite, cite when necessary, and re-edit. Thanks!
You are right, Networking has been studied for centuries now. The idea is that what we know today as business networking was not propagated until the mid-1950’s