Networking is super important, no matter what industry you work in or your level of experience. Networking is vital to career growth.
Attending networking events can be off putting for many as the concept is associated with awkwardness, cheesy events and the idea of ‘selling’ yourself.
However, despite its off-putting connotations, building networks is essential to creating long-term relationships and establishing a good professional reputation over time. It involves meeting and getting to know people who you can assist, and who can potentially help you in return.
Networking is about building long-term business relationships that are beneficial to both parties. When networking, you meet and get to know people who not only offer career advice or guidance, but can help expand your effectiveness in your organisation.
Networking creates the right connections with the right people and fosters those relationships regularly. Networking also offers quite a numerous numbers of benefits.
Benefits of networking:
Advance your career
Attending regular professional and social events will help to get your face known. You can then help to build your reputation as being knowledgeable, reliable and supportive by offering useful information or tips to people who need it.
You find inspiration and fresh ideas
Sharing challenges, experiences or goals with others allows for an exchange of ideas or insight.
When you are offering advice, others may see you as knowledgeable or reliable, which builds your reputation and increases the chance that others might turn to you in the future.
Build confidence
When you consistently put yourself out there and meet new people, you’re effectively stepping outside your comfort zone and building invaluable social skills and self-confidence that you can take with you anywhere. The more you network, the more you’ll grow and learn how to make lasting connections.
Creates job opportunities
Some jobs may not be listed on a company’s careers page and require inside knowledge. Your networking relationships might inform you of unadvertised job openings or even refer you.
For people who run their own business, networking can expose you to new clients or business investment advice. If you’re doing the hiring, networking might provide the ideal candidate.
Also see: Non-traditional careers to look into
