Do you proactively grow your contact list?

Opportunities are Endless

For years, experts have declared that 50% or more of job openings go unposted. Although the exact percentage is hard to calculate, NPR, WSJ, and Forbes agree the majority of jobs aren’t advertised. These open positions are being filled by qualified candidates who are referred by a trusted contact. People like to do business with others they know, like and trust, and the same is true for all of us. Networking establishes the foundation for trusting relationships and meaningful friendships. These lasting connections provide a network of high-quality referrals and can even increase an organization’s sales.

Networking is often associated with increasing sales, or finding a new job, but what about for individuals who plan to stay with their current organization or aren’t in sales? In a study conducted by University of Chicago sociologist Ronald Burt, people who made efforts to improve their networks were 42%-74% more likely to be promoted than those who didn’t. Networking increases others’ perceptions of you and affects your personal brand. At the very least, having a strong network will provide a safety net filled with future opportunities for you in times of transition.

Networking is not only good for business, it benefits life outside the office too!  Chances are the people around you who are participating in networking are other high-performing individuals. Whether the professionals are in your industry or other industries their expertise and ideas may be useful advice. Sometimes we need feedback from individuals outside of our organization or knowledge in a different subject area, a working network is the ideal place to turn.

An important piece of the networking puzzle, and what many people forget to do, is to contribute value to their network. Think of networking like a “sharing process.” Give out valuable support and information to those in your network while expecting nothing in return. When you are authentic and provide value to people, that’s how trust can be built. Supporting your network increases self-worth and allows you to practice skills you may not use every day. In addition to your work, helping others provides a sense of purpose. One easy way to show support is to connect two of your contacts with each other.

Just like a workout, results from networking won’t happen overnight. Building lasting relationships takes consistency. You are building a reputation with these organizations, and to do so takes time. Think of networking like an investment and be in it for the long-run. You may even find these professional contacts become mentors or great personal friends. 

The opportunities to network are all around you. Even if you can’t join organizations or go to specific networking events, you are probably still interacting with other professionals frequently. While you wait for your daughter to finish dance class make conversation with the parent next to you. If you are traveling for business, try to talk to others on the plane and throughout your commute. If you normally bury your head in the paper while you drink coffee at the local café, put the paper down and strike up conversation. Spend time in the evenings catching up with old friends or coworkers. Social media is not the best way to network, but it can be valuable for catching up or making introductions.

The best way to establish a reputation and personal brand for yourself is to be known, which involves getting out there and getting to know people.  

Build A Strong Network in 5 Steps