Networking is a quick way to get a job or improve your job position. To do this, it is important to be in the right place at the right time. Here are some tips to manage your contacts in the best way.
Last update: December 23, 2020
Networking, or creating a network of contacts, is very important in getting a job or improving the job position. One way or another, we all do it; often, however, in a hasty and not very spontaneous way. And in fact we are not getting the desired results.
To network in the right way, it is important to create a coherent and functional contact management model. It's not complicated, just a little common sense, good organizational skills and strategic thinking.
There are now few environments in which meritocracy is rewarded. Many of the assignments and opportunities circulate by word of mouth, through networking. That is why it is an important activity and it is useful to know some effective strategies.
“For a company, not promoting is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing, but you are the only one who knows. "
-Stwart H. Britt-
Strategies for networking
1. Define clear professional goals
To network in the right way, you need to be clear about your professional goals. The search strategy will depend on this. We must try to be very specific, never generalize. Our goal is not simply to get a job or make a career.
We need to be specific and describe it in detail. It is not enough to say: "I want to get a job". Describe the main characteristics of the job you want to do. This will make searching easier and more effective.
2. Develop personal branding for networking
To do your job and to network, it is important to create and exploit a personal brand. This means creating a presentation of us, emphasizing our strengths. What sets us apart from others.
The question is: how do we want to be perceived in our professional environment? Of course, we all want to be seen as the best, but we must go further and describe in detail the characteristics that make us particularly strong. This must be reflected in all the elements of the image we decide to give.
3. Think about the elements to present themselves
The ideal is to create a personal and a professional profile on social networks. The professional profile must be consistent with personal branding and must enhance it. Start with the photo, don't use low quality images or pictures of you on vacation. Instead, choose a photo that conveys all the aspects you want your professional contacts to remember.
Create business cards with your photo and key data. Always carry them with you and deliver them whenever you have the opportunity. It is also important to have an impeccable and very professional CV. Always update your data on platforms such as LinkedIn.
4. Networking means contacting
It is important to collect all possible contacts based on the established professional goals. No contact is useless, you cannot know which ones can be useful to you. If you are a lawyer, try to maintain a bond with all colleagues and lawyers you come into contact with.
Look for groups related to your profession, there are many groups or forums on the net. Subscribe to all. Typically these are spaces where important information circulates that is not easily found elsewhere.
5. Keep the contact active
Occasionally send a message to the contacts you consider strategic. Try not to be pushy or pushy. Just send a short greeting by sharing content or asking a specific question. This way, your contacts will remember you. Don't forget to congratulate them on every professional success.
Also try not to spend too much time without attending any group, forum or meeting you have signed up for. Show that you are there. Participation attracts attention and strengthens personal branding.
6. Review and update
At periodic intervals, enhance the brand, update and improve the profile, change business cards, etc. All this conveys professionalism.
Do not stop the search for new contacts, new groups, new tools in the sector of your interest, etc. Attend your industry conferences, seminars and events to receive new information and knowledge.
Networking is always beneficial. Don't expect, however, immediate results from managing your contacts, even if it can happen. The important thing is to create a network from which new synergies can arise.
