By Sandy Johnson, Senior Consultant
I’m an introvert and the thought of networking makes me feel anxious. It conjures up visions of a hotel ballroom filled with strangers bunched in tightly knit groups, chatting animatedly as if they’ve known each other for years and me, standing by myself wanting to turn around and run. I don’t know anyone and the venue doesn’t make me want to say hello, let alone dive into a conversation.
I don’t like networking, but I do like connecting with people. It turns out they’re the same thing except networking sounds like work to me and connecting with others sounds rather pleasant. As humans, we thrive on being noticed, respected, acknowledged, and appreciated. Connection supports all of these.
Networking is a mutually beneficial interaction that involves exchanging ideas and information between individuals who are connected by a common career, industry, or interest. ~ betterup.com
Studies show that job search efforts are significantly enhanced through networking. According to HubSpot, 85% of jobs are filled through networking. In fact, according to CNBC, 70% of jobs are never published publicly. According to LinkedIn, 70% of professionals hired in 2016 had a connection at their company.
Without evidence that you’re right for a job, the fact that someone knows you automatically makes you more appealing and credible to a hiring manager and will increase the likelihood of an introduction or interview. And that is the power of connection and relationship-building.
Let’s go back to the dreaded networking. My extroverted friends love it and I envy their ease and skill. They love meeting new people and get great energy from crowds and the opportunity to talk.
I’ve learned that I don’t have to go to a traditional networking event to connect and for that, I’m grateful. I’m pretty good at making connections. I just like to do it on a much smaller, quieter scale. Picture a coffee date, a phone call, a walk, or a catch-up over a drink at the local pub after work.
A coffee date with just one other person can generate the same if not better results than meeting 10 new people in one evening. It’s about the intention of the meeting and the quality of conversation more than the quantity of meetings or introductions.
After you land your next role, it’s important to both retain and continue to build your network. Here’s why:
- Your network is one of your most valuable professional assets. When people know you or know who you are, there’s an implied trust between the two of you. It removes the barrier to entry when you reach out for an introduction, a lead, a sale, or anything with which you might need help.
- You never know what opportunity might be presented to you. You’ll be found when you’re not looking, and it helps if others know who you are.
- It’s a reciprocal process. Don’t underestimate how you can help someone else. Being proactive with sharing opportunities or resources paves the way for an interactive, mutually beneficial relationship. It’s a great feeling when someone thinks about you and acts on it.
To keep the process going, establish a connection practice you can continue instead of starting when you find yourself in job search mode again. Wouldn’t it be easier and less stressful if you didn’t have to scramble to make new connections or reconnect with those you haven’t spoken to in many years?
Here are a few tips to stay connected.
- Schedule time in your calendar every week, or every day to connect with at least one person outside your current organization. Just one phone call or lunch a week creates or reignites 50 solid contacts a year.
- Check your LinkedIn feed daily and ‘like’ or better yet, comment on the articles posted by those in your network. It takes just moments to send a quick ‘Congratulations on a new role’ or share your opinion on a topic of interest. Trust me, comments are read and keep you fresh in someone else’s mind.
- Make this a practice that works for you. Plan on making your meetings interesting and enjoyable, establishing a common ground. Both parties should leave the meeting feeling better than they did before they met. After all, this doesn’t have to be “work.”