You have probably heard of graduates filing away their degrees after graduation and taking up menial jobs just to meet their daily needs. Attaining that degree is no guarantee that you will land a lucrative job where you can begin craving your dream career. There are hundreds and thousands of graduates who throw their caps in the sky on graduation day all over the world, graduates who trickle into the job market eager to kickstart their careers. Now, the good news is that you can become a unicorn in this sea of stallions- you can do this by networking. In this article, we will look at 5 tips for networking and building professional connections.
But first, let’s examine why networking is a must do in today’s job market.
Benefits of networking and building professional connections
A report compiled by HubSpot stated that 85% of jobs are filled through networking and another report produced by CNBC disclosed that 75% of available job positions are not even announced publicly. This virtually means that roles are assigned to individuals on a “I can refer someone” basis.
Through networking and building professional relationships, you will have the potential of being recommended for opportunities that arise in various spaces. And if you already have a job, networking can help you advance your career.
Here are some of the benefits of investing in your professional network;
1. Helps you shape your professional profile
Attending events in your industry and interacting with people in your space online can help you build your professional profile. This is because these events and these interactions help you learn about the trends in your industry and they help you gain exposure as an expert in that particular field.
Sharing what you know in these events whether virtual or physical or even simply having a conversation with someone on LinkedIn gives you an opportunity to showcase your know-how in an area. In the event that an opportunity that fits you perfectly arises and someone who knows your skills and abilities happens to come across that opportunity, they will recommend you and just like that, you will land a job and launch your career!
Also, constantly engaging with individuals in your professional network can help you learn top skills that employers are looking for in the current job market. This information can set you apart from your peers.
2. Helps you find a support hub
Group therapy is a form of therapy that is highly recommended for individuals struggling with mental and physical health issues. This is because it is easier to interact with someone who knows your struggles and it is uplifting to see someone make major strides- it is a message of hope for those who are still in their journey.
Building a professional network can help you start and cultivate relationships with individuals in the same line of work you are in. Your network can hold various personas i.e., students, recent graduates, newly hired graduates, professionals with advanced careers etc. You can gain useful career advice from these individuals as they understand your profession and have insights on the same.
3. Helps you boost your social skills and confidence
Attending events, contributing to conversations and interacting with individuals from all walks of life helps you build invaluable social skills and boosts your self-confidence. This means that you will learn how to effectively communicate in professional setups such as interviews and work meetings. You will be able to build rapport with your colleagues and employers, a factor that can be crucial in your job performance.
Also, how you speak and engage with an interviewer can help you stand out during a job interview. So stop shying away from networking events and opportunities, step out of your comfort zone.
4. Helps you see the glass as half full
Ever been stuck on an algebra problem? No matter how many times you stared at the ceiling, chewed your pen’s cap or flipped your exercise book, you just couldn’t solve the problem. But then a friend would lean in and give you another perspective of the problem and viola, you no longer had to worry about being called in front of the classroom to solve the problem on the blackboard.
Interacting with other professionals in both your field and other fields can change how you view the world, your career and your personal relationships. It can also help you solve a problem at work or school.
If you are looking for a job with no luck despite ticking all the job requirements off your list, the people in your professional network can introduce you to another way of increasing your visibility to employers.
Networking helps you see the glass as half full instead of always seeing it as half empty. Learning to see the world from other people’s eyes changes your mindset and shapes you both professionally and as an individual.
5. Helps you grow your personal network
It is not easy to make friends when you are starting your career because a significant amount of your time is spent on you meeting your goals at work. If you have recently been hired, chances are you have started cancelling social events just so you can clear the work backlog during the weekend.
The good news is, you can form long-lasting personal relationships from your professional network. This is because you will be constantly interacting with them either at work or at work-related events.
Now that you know why you need to network, let’s look at how to effectively do this.
5 tips you can use to build a strong and professional network
1. Attend networking events
Thanks to the infinite power of social media and the internet, you have the ability to attend networking events from various industries. Companies share their physical and virtual events on social media and a majority of them are actually free to attend.
Now anyone can attend these events but will everyone benefit from them? When attending these events your goals should always be to; build your professional network and learn something new within your industry. If you happen to have anxiety around people, focus on gaining one professional connection from these events. Also, ensure you get a way to communicate with them i.e., a social handle, email or even a phone number.
If the event you are attending happens to be virtual, inquire whether the company has a community either on Whatsapp, Linkedin, Facebook or slack. Join these communities and begin interacting with people who have the same interests as you careerwise.
The key is to form an initial connection and then build it over time. Attending events held at your school or the ones you see on social media provides you with an opportunity to meet people you can potentially build a professional relationship with.
2. Form connections online
All social media platforms have an inbox option where you can DM a person you are interested in interacting with. If you are a photographer and you happen to land on an enchanting image on Instagram, you can DM the owner of the image and request a virtual meeting where they can share their ideas and insights with you.
Now, building a professional network online is highly dependent on how you showcase your personal brand. When you DM an individual in your field, the first thing they will do is study your profile. Creating a professional profile on all your social media pages can help you attract professionals in your industry and even land your dream job.
You can check out our article on how personal branding can help you land your dream job here.
3. Start with those around you
When people hear the term “networking”, they picture themselves in a room full of individuals in suits and evening gowns. A professional connection can be formed in a matatu, a school club, a queue at a pizza inn, a classroom, a family event, the church, your neighbourhood etc. Talking about what you do, your career interests, skills you have garnered over time, industry updates and trends, can lead you to develop a professional relationship with someone you are sitting next to in a bus.
Also, a person does not have to be a stranger so that they can join your professional network. Your friends and family members who are in the same industry as you can also be a part of your professional network as long as they are adding value to your career life.
4. Be on top of your game in your industry
Networking is not just about being on the receiving end. You should also be able to contribute to conversations about a trend in your industry. You should be able to share insights and advice with members of your professional network. You cannot do any of this if you are not knowledgeable about your industry.
You can be on the top of your game in your industry by reading articles and books as well as attending webinars and physical events that tackle areas that are related to your career.
5. Find a way to stay in touch
You have met incredible individuals online or physically who are in the same industry as you are in. What’s next? How do you ensure that this connection does not fizzle out?
You can build your professional relationships by;
- Sharing insights and trends with members within your network i.e., videos, articles, books etc.
- Scheduling virtual or physical meetings where you discuss experiences and challenges.
- Sharing opportunities with members of your network.
- Asking for advice about your career or an issue at work.
- Inviting members of your network to events within your industry.
It is important to note that professional networks are fueled by value. Always aim to add value to the professionals in your network.
Achieving the “how” part of networking can be a challenge. This is where the Bridge comes in.
How the Bridge can help you build a strong professional network
The Bridge is a virtual 4-month career accelerator program that enables learners to successfully carve their career paths. The classes have been curated to equip students with;
- A mindset shift
- Execution skills
- The knowhow to launch one’s career
During this program you will learn how to build your personal brand, ace an interview, solve a problem/pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity, work in a team, change your perspective of the world, write an effective resume, cover letter, email and blog, as well as how to use data to your advantage, no matter which field you are in.
As an individual who is looking to grow your professional network, The Bridge Career Accelerator program will help you meet fellow students, graduates and professionals in your field. You will also be introduced to communities comprising the Bridge alumni network and various individuals pursuing the same career as you.
Enrolling in the Bridge program will help you launch your career and build your professional network. What are you waiting for? Apply for the March intake today!
