Are you looking for tried-and-true ways to grow as a professional in your field? If you’re a newly-graduated professional, looking to grow professionally, or want to take your career in the upward direction, you must take advantage of networking.
Networking involves creating connections with others to benefit each other. It can range from simply meeting and greeting people in the business or industry you’re interested in spending time getting to know them over dinner.
If you want to master networking, below are the top rules you need to follow.
- Offer Value
When you first meet someone, your goal should be to establish yourself as an expert in your field. Go beyond just learning others’ names and backgrounds – really try to learn about who they are as a person by asking about their passions, family, or any life struggles they’re facing.
- Take Initiative
Asking others to help you grow is both uncomfortable and daunting for a lot of people. This doesn’t mean that you should be pushy or demanding, but taking the right step to engage others will help you grow professionally.
- Know the Right Segment for Networking
For starters, you definitely should get to know people in the same professional industry as you. People with similar interests and goals will be more inclined to spend time with you than those who don’t mesh.
- Be Genuine and Transparent
You don’t need to sugarcoat who you are to make a connection and be accepted. People tend to like others who have similar life interests, so be sure that your personality resonates with those you meet.
- Learn Skills for Engaging with Authority
If you want to grow professionally, be open to networking with those in positions of power. These people typically have the connections and knowledge that will help you grow by leaps and bounds.
- Focus on Relationships
Before you can grow professionally, you need to have good relationships. Knowing that the people in your network are even slightly receptive to networking with other professionals will help you build a productive relationship.