Difference between revisions of "Network"
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| − | + | Knowing how to network can help you get your foot in the door and land an interview, if not an actual job. This article will give you some tips on how to network. | |
== 10 Second Summary == | == 10 Second Summary == | ||
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5. Branch out beyond the internet and join physical clubs. | 5. Branch out beyond the internet and join physical clubs. | ||
[[Category:Business]] | [[Category:Business]] | ||
| − | [[Category:Social Interactions]] | + | [[Category: Social Interactions]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Mastering the Basics=== | === Mastering the Basics=== | ||
| − | #Start off networking with your existing connections. Getting in touch with old friends, distant relatives, and people you went to school with can be a good stepping stone because you're reaching out, but you're not approaching complete strangers.<ref>http://www.cio.com/article/164300</ref> Work on networking first on this group of people before moving on to people with whom you have a more tenuous connection. | + | #Start off networking with your existing connections. Getting in touch with old friends, distant relatives, and people you went to school with can be a good stepping stone because you're reaching out, but you're not approaching complete strangers.<ref name="rf1">http://www.cio.com/article/164300</ref> Work on networking first on this group of people before moving on to people with whom you have a more tenuous connection. |
#Locate who you want to talk to. As a professional, or an aspiring professional, your time is important. Be discerning and selective — you owe it to yourself. Simply approach someone confidently, stick out your hand, and introduce yourself. It's not easy to do, but it's straightforward, and the more you do it, the easier it becomes. | #Locate who you want to talk to. As a professional, or an aspiring professional, your time is important. Be discerning and selective — you owe it to yourself. Simply approach someone confidently, stick out your hand, and introduce yourself. It's not easy to do, but it's straightforward, and the more you do it, the easier it becomes. | ||
#*Be confident to inspire confidence in you. Many people who regularly schmooze aren't the most naturally confident people in the world. They've learned to project confidence. This projection soon ''becomes'' reality. The "fake it till you make it" strategy really does work. | #*Be confident to inspire confidence in you. Many people who regularly schmooze aren't the most naturally confident people in the world. They've learned to project confidence. This projection soon ''becomes'' reality. The "fake it till you make it" strategy really does work. | ||
| − | #*Some people call this the "hostess mentality."<ref>http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanrittscher/2012/05/31/six-keys-to-successful-networking-for-entrepreneurs/</ref> You put others first and try to make them feel comfortable. This uncommon effort makes you feel powerful and, ultimately, puts you at ease. | + | #*Some people call this the "hostess mentality."<ref name="rf2">http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanrittscher/2012/05/31/six-keys-to-successful-networking-for-entrepreneurs/</ref> You put others first and try to make them feel comfortable. This uncommon effort makes you feel powerful and, ultimately, puts you at ease. |
#[[Develop Your Personal Elevator Pitch|Have your elevator pitch prepared]]. An elevator pitch is a personal blurb that sums up the "professional you" and can be delivered quickly — for example, in the time it would take two people to share an elevator ride. Not exactly a speech that you memorize, an elevator pitch is a couple of refrains that you remember that you can build around, given the situation. Here's an example: | #[[Develop Your Personal Elevator Pitch|Have your elevator pitch prepared]]. An elevator pitch is a personal blurb that sums up the "professional you" and can be delivered quickly — for example, in the time it would take two people to share an elevator ride. Not exactly a speech that you memorize, an elevator pitch is a couple of refrains that you remember that you can build around, given the situation. Here's an example: | ||
#*"I just graduated from XYZ University with a degree in marine biology. In school, I studied the interaction of tidal patterns on puffin populations. Currently, I'm leading a conservation effort designed to save the puffin population in Eastern Egg Rock, Maine." | #*"I just graduated from XYZ University with a degree in marine biology. In school, I studied the interaction of tidal patterns on puffin populations. Currently, I'm leading a conservation effort designed to save the puffin population in Eastern Egg Rock, Maine." | ||
| − | #[[Make Small Talk|Learn the art of the chit-chat, or small talk]]. Having a great [[Have a Great Conversation|conversation]] often starts with a little bit of back-and-forth. It's an opportunity for you to get a feel for the other person, and for them to get a feel for you. Some people describe it this way: Conversation is a ladder, and small talk is the first rung that you step on.<ref>http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/08/22/how-to-make-small-talk/</ref> Don't worry if it feels unnatural at first. [[Smile|Smile]], remember to [[Be Confident|be confident]] in your abilities, and [[Listen|listen]] intently. | + | #[[Make Small Talk|Learn the art of the chit-chat, or small talk]]. Having a great [[Have a Great Conversation|conversation]] often starts with a little bit of back-and-forth. It's an opportunity for you to get a feel for the other person, and for them to get a feel for you. Some people describe it this way: Conversation is a ladder, and small talk is the first rung that you step on.<ref name="rf3">http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/08/22/how-to-make-small-talk/</ref> Don't worry if it feels unnatural at first. [[Smile|Smile]], remember to [[Be Confident|be confident]] in your abilities, and [[Listen|listen]] intently. |
| − | #*Look for an anchor.<ref | + | #*Look for an anchor.<ref name="rf3" /> This is something that you have in common with the other person. Perhaps it's a school, or a mutual friend, or a shared experience, like a love of sky-diving. You probably need to ask questions in order to find one, but once you have one, you're golden. |
#*Reveal something about yourself related to the anchor. Asking questions is great, particularly if you're searching for an answer, but a conversation is a two-way street, and you gotta give a little in order to get something back. | #*Reveal something about yourself related to the anchor. Asking questions is great, particularly if you're searching for an answer, but a conversation is a two-way street, and you gotta give a little in order to get something back. | ||
#*Encourage the other person to continue sharing. Once a few pleasantries are exchanged, keep asking questions about the anchor or share different experiences you've had about the anchor. | #*Encourage the other person to continue sharing. Once a few pleasantries are exchanged, keep asking questions about the anchor or share different experiences you've had about the anchor. | ||
#But don't be afraid to go deeper. If your conversation stays on the bottom half of the ladder, you risk not distinguishing yourself from the dozens of other people that the person you're networking with meets over the course of the event or the year. In order to distinguish yourself from others, you'll want to dive deeper after the superficial chitchat and say something that really causes your contact to pause and think about you. | #But don't be afraid to go deeper. If your conversation stays on the bottom half of the ladder, you risk not distinguishing yourself from the dozens of other people that the person you're networking with meets over the course of the event or the year. In order to distinguish yourself from others, you'll want to dive deeper after the superficial chitchat and say something that really causes your contact to pause and think about you. | ||
| − | #*One prominent blogger recommends that you look for a passion or a problem.<ref>http://www.martynemko.com/articles/key-successful-networking_id1476</ref> Obviously, finding a passion is probably a little safer territory for you to talk about, but don't be afraid to empathize with your contact if they talk about a problem they might be having in work or outside of it. | + | #*One prominent blogger recommends that you look for a passion or a problem.<ref name="rf4">http://www.martynemko.com/articles/key-successful-networking_id1476</ref> Obviously, finding a passion is probably a little safer territory for you to talk about, but don't be afraid to empathize with your contact if they talk about a problem they might be having in work or outside of it. |
#Set yourself apart by thinking before you speak. In normal conversation, it's common to build up a flow of conversation and to fear the dreaded [[Fill Awkward Silences|awkward pause]]. But when you're worried about constantly keeping up the flow of conversation, you often forget about listening to what the other person has to say and formulating an intelligent response. | #Set yourself apart by thinking before you speak. In normal conversation, it's common to build up a flow of conversation and to fear the dreaded [[Fill Awkward Silences|awkward pause]]. But when you're worried about constantly keeping up the flow of conversation, you often forget about listening to what the other person has to say and formulating an intelligent response. | ||
#*Don't be afraid to take a second or two to pause and think about what you're going to say before you say it. This one or two seconds feels a lot longer to you than it does to your conversator-in-crime. If something intelligent comes out of your mouth afterwards, that investment was worth it. | #*Don't be afraid to take a second or two to pause and think about what you're going to say before you say it. This one or two seconds feels a lot longer to you than it does to your conversator-in-crime. If something intelligent comes out of your mouth afterwards, that investment was worth it. | ||
| − | #*Journalist Shane Snow describes the respect he has for a friend who thinks '''before''' he speaks: ''"Whereas most of us (and powerful people especially) feel pressure to have instant answers to everything (job interviews and media training teaches us to do this), causing us to blubber and ramble and shoot from the hip, Fred takes his time. When you ask him a question, he pauses. Sometimes for a long time. Sometimes the silence makes you uncomfortable. He thinks carefully. And then he responds with triple the insight you expect."''<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130819115750-7374576-7-things-amazing-leaders-do-differently</ref> | + | #*Journalist Shane Snow describes the respect he has for a friend who thinks '''before''' he speaks: ''"Whereas most of us (and powerful people especially) feel pressure to have instant answers to everything (job interviews and media training teaches us to do this), causing us to blubber and ramble and shoot from the hip, Fred takes his time. When you ask him a question, he pauses. Sometimes for a long time. Sometimes the silence makes you uncomfortable. He thinks carefully. And then he responds with triple the insight you expect."''<ref name="rf5">https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130819115750-7374576-7-things-amazing-leaders-do-differently</ref> |
#Approach the networking experience from the perspective of "How can I help this person'''?"''' Some people think of networking as a selfish act, because some treat the process as a means to an end instead of an end in itself. While some certainly treat networking that way, it's a less sophisticated way to think about networking. Instead, try approaching a networking situation being willing to help someone else out first. If you genuinely try to help others out, they'll ''want'' to do the same for you. Then, the motivation for mutual assistance will come from a genuinely good place. | #Approach the networking experience from the perspective of "How can I help this person'''?"''' Some people think of networking as a selfish act, because some treat the process as a means to an end instead of an end in itself. While some certainly treat networking that way, it's a less sophisticated way to think about networking. Instead, try approaching a networking situation being willing to help someone else out first. If you genuinely try to help others out, they'll ''want'' to do the same for you. Then, the motivation for mutual assistance will come from a genuinely good place. | ||
# Find out who knows whom. When you're talking to people, find out what they do for a living and for fun, as well as what their spouse or significant other, nearby family members, and close friends do for work and recreation, too. It may be helpful to make note of this in your address book so you don't lose track of who does what. | # Find out who knows whom. When you're talking to people, find out what they do for a living and for fun, as well as what their spouse or significant other, nearby family members, and close friends do for work and recreation, too. It may be helpful to make note of this in your address book so you don't lose track of who does what. | ||
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#*When you're done with your informational interview, express your gratitude and ask your contact for three other people who you might talk to as part of your continuing outreach. Reach out to those people and refer back to the original contact if needed. | #*When you're done with your informational interview, express your gratitude and ask your contact for three other people who you might talk to as part of your continuing outreach. Reach out to those people and refer back to the original contact if needed. | ||
# Tap your network periodically. The next time you need something (a [[Get a Job|job]], a [[Get a Date|date]], a hiking partner) cast a wide net and see what happens. Make a few phone calls or send out an e-mail describing your situation in a friendly tone: "Hey, I'm in a bit of a pinch. I have these concert tickets for Saturday and I haven't been able to find someone to go with me. Since this is a band I love, I'd like to go with someone I know I'll have fun with. Do you know of anyone who might enjoy it with me?" | # Tap your network periodically. The next time you need something (a [[Get a Job|job]], a [[Get a Date|date]], a hiking partner) cast a wide net and see what happens. Make a few phone calls or send out an e-mail describing your situation in a friendly tone: "Hey, I'm in a bit of a pinch. I have these concert tickets for Saturday and I haven't been able to find someone to go with me. Since this is a band I love, I'd like to go with someone I know I'll have fun with. Do you know of anyone who might enjoy it with me?" | ||
| − | #*Don't ever [[Apologize|apologize]] when asking for a favor or help. It can signal a lack of [[Build Self Confidence|confidence]] and professionalism.<ref | + | #*Don't ever [[Apologize|apologize]] when asking for a favor or help. It can signal a lack of [[Build Self Confidence|confidence]] and professionalism.<ref name="rf1" /> There's nothing to be sorry about--you're just seeing if anyone happens to be in a position to help you; you're not making demands, or forcing people to do anything that they don't want to do. |
# Never keep your networking efforts isolated to the internet. You can establish great connections online, but the most successful networkers are those who take those online connections and translate them into intimate face-to-face relationships. Going out for lunch, coffee, or drinks is a great way to begin to establish a face-to-face relationship with people. Remember that you can also invite people to do things related to your interests. If you met someone at a [[Go Caving (Spelunking)|caving]] club, why don't you ask them to check out a new [[Enjoy the Hall of the White Giant Tour at Carlsbad Caverns (US)|cave]] with you? The objective here is to establish a connection beyond your initial online meeting. Preferably, this should be one-on-one. | # Never keep your networking efforts isolated to the internet. You can establish great connections online, but the most successful networkers are those who take those online connections and translate them into intimate face-to-face relationships. Going out for lunch, coffee, or drinks is a great way to begin to establish a face-to-face relationship with people. Remember that you can also invite people to do things related to your interests. If you met someone at a [[Go Caving (Spelunking)|caving]] club, why don't you ask them to check out a new [[Enjoy the Hall of the White Giant Tour at Carlsbad Caverns (US)|cave]] with you? The objective here is to establish a connection beyond your initial online meeting. Preferably, this should be one-on-one. | ||
===Exploring ''Why'' We Network=== | ===Exploring ''Why'' We Network=== | ||
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# Reconsider that you're too [[Not Be Shy|shy]] or [[Stop Feeling Self Conscious|self-conscious]] to network. Networking does require a degree of [[Be Bold|boldness]]. Yet with the advent of [[Build a Social Network|social networking]] sites, you can get to find others with similar interests and goals without being in a room full of people. | # Reconsider that you're too [[Not Be Shy|shy]] or [[Stop Feeling Self Conscious|self-conscious]] to network. Networking does require a degree of [[Be Bold|boldness]]. Yet with the advent of [[Build a Social Network|social networking]] sites, you can get to find others with similar interests and goals without being in a room full of people. | ||
#* People who are shy and self-conscious tend to be a lot more open and talkative when they're doing or talking about something they're deeply interested in. If you find people who are just as obsessed with [[Bird Watch|birding]], [[Make Origami|origami]], or [[Get Into Manga|manga]] as you are, then you'll have a much easier time establishing connections. | #* People who are shy and self-conscious tend to be a lot more open and talkative when they're doing or talking about something they're deeply interested in. If you find people who are just as obsessed with [[Bird Watch|birding]], [[Make Origami|origami]], or [[Get Into Manga|manga]] as you are, then you'll have a much easier time establishing connections. | ||
| − | # Reconsider the myth that networking takes too much time and effort. Unless you're an extroverted person who thoroughly enjoys schmoozing, networking can be exhausting. Why bother, right? Yes, networking takes time and effort, but the time and effort you save by networking can also be tremendous. Imagine how much time and frustration you would save if anything you wanted or needed was just one or two phone calls away. Ultimately, a network is an investment, with benefits that outweigh the costs.<ref>http://www.businesspundit.com/how-to-network-for-introverts/</ref> You just need to stick with it and watch it grow. | + | # Reconsider the myth that networking takes too much time and effort. Unless you're an extroverted person who thoroughly enjoys schmoozing, networking can be exhausting. Why bother, right? Yes, networking takes time and effort, but the time and effort you save by networking can also be tremendous. Imagine how much time and frustration you would save if anything you wanted or needed was just one or two phone calls away. Ultimately, a network is an investment, with benefits that outweigh the costs.<ref name="rf6">http://www.businesspundit.com/how-to-network-for-introverts/</ref> You just need to stick with it and watch it grow. |
#Continue networking in order to push yourself. You want to grow as an individual, both personally and professionally. Networking helps you hone essential interpersonal skills that are huge assets in today's world. It helps keep you on your toes, teaches you to listen, and inspires a humility born of a desire to help others. If you do networking for nothing else, do it for personal growth. Networking can help you become the best version of yourself. | #Continue networking in order to push yourself. You want to grow as an individual, both personally and professionally. Networking helps you hone essential interpersonal skills that are huge assets in today's world. It helps keep you on your toes, teaches you to listen, and inspires a humility born of a desire to help others. If you do networking for nothing else, do it for personal growth. Networking can help you become the best version of yourself. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
