By
By Milton Kiang, professional resume writer at resumeprofessional.net
We network because we don’t work and live in a silo. Due to human
nature, we tend to trust doing business with people we know or who are
referred to us. People often think of the need to network whenever their
jobs are in jeopardy, or whenever they’re in search of new business.
You hear them say, “I need to go out and start networking!”
But building up a good network doesn’t happen overnight. Business
professionals need a better understanding about what networking is and
isn’t. Here are 10 do’s and don’ts of networking:
Networking is:
1. About taking a keen interest in people and what they do. Some say
that in a social setting, people don’t want to talk about work.
Nonsense. Why should talking about work be limited to just industry
cocktail functions? People like to talk about themselves and, generally,
the work they do. Try to make connections on a personal and
professional level.
2. About carrying business cards everywhere you go. I can’t remember
the number of times that people forget to carry their business cards
when I ask them for one.
3. About joining an organization, association or committee outside of
work, where the mandate, activity and people interest you. Your aim
should be to seek enjoyment and fulfillment from your participation.
4. About attending a business reception or cocktail event at least
once a month. There are some who aren’t crazy about attending networking
functions. They might be put off by crowds or feel hesitant talking to
strangers. But it still gives you a chance to get out of the office and
meet people whom you otherwise wouldn’t talk to in your normal course of
business. If you make it an objective to meet at least one or two
interesting people, and limit yourself to staying an hour, then you
might find yourself enjoying these events.
5. About staying in touch. If someone has made an impression on you,
drop her an email to say “Hello.” This helps solidify your bond, and
even if you don’t meet up again for the foreseeable future, your email
will help her remember you. Every so often, reach out to acquaintances
who normally aren’t part of your “inner circle,” and go out for lunch or
coffee. Maintain your presence out there, no matter how busy you might
be.
Networking isn’t:
6. A “one-off” activity, or something that you can “switch on” whenever
you need new customers or job contacts. It’s something that you do on a
continuous basis. It’s a mindset, a holistic way of thinking about
people and relationships.
7. About creating a huge number contacts over a short time period.
It’s about developing quality relationships over the span of your
career. Take the time to find out more about the people in your business
or social circle. If you think that two people in your circle might
benefit from knowing one another, don’t hesitate to make introductions.
That’s what a “good networker” does, and people will remember you for
it.
8. About attending business functions simply to find new customers or
pitch for new business. This is the wrong approach. People don’t like
being “sold to” at cocktail receptions, even if those events are
industry-related.
9. A one-way street, where the sole purpose is for you to capitalize
on your contacts. You might hear a person telling a networking success
story about how he got his new job through a contact he knew. What you
don’t hear is that this person was either incredibly lucky or relied on a
contact whose relationship took years to cultivate. For networking to
work, you must give, which means giving referrals, making introductions,
and supplying helpful contacts to acquaintances.
10. About relying solely on social media. Facebook and LinkedIn make
it easy to build up contacts, but this isn’t the same as meeting someone
in person. You need to be seen and heard, and you need to create an
impression.
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