If you ask a Professional how they got where they are right now, chances are they will say networking. Networking has become a crucial step in today’s market which is highly competitive and completely saturated with professionals. Many people take networking for granted. Especially students at universities, or professionals who already have a job but do not partake in social activities at work. These are the places and situations that give you a good opportunity to connect and expose yourself to various people in your field. Forming these connections is hard; These connections were likely not handed to them. Instead, they were forged through successful professional networking. This is one of the major reasons why people hardly focus on it, as the benefits of networking are not apparent or quantifiable, or immediately felt. Instead, they give you returns as you progress in life and your professional career.

One can only get so far by oneself; the reality is that professional progression and opportunities are driven by the relationships you build. “Business revolves around people, and it is driven by relationships, which affect every aspect of business, from sales to recruitment,” said Yiannis Gavrielides, CEO of Cove. “It is therefore mandatory for us all to build and maintain real professional relationships.”
Here are a few ways that you can adopt to grow your professional network:

• Using A LinkedIn Profile to Build Your Network

Today’s world runs on Social Media. Everyone from massive corporations to celebrities use Social Media to build their brand. In a similar way, professionals can use Social media sites, particularly LinkedIn, to do the same. These have completely revolutionised the professional networking sector. Many people rely on their LinkedIn network for referrals, introductions, reviews, and references – all of which come in handy when you are looking for a job or hiring new team members. It is also a very convenient way to reach out to employees at various designations from various organisations. They are all at your fingertips – literally.

• Avoiding Hesitation When Meeting New People

Even though Social Media is easy and convenient, the old, classic way of meeting people in person is still beneficial. Never be afraid to ask someone in your professional network to introduce you to someone they know. Most people are happy to facilitate connections or even become mentors who help you enrich your professional relationships. This is akin to asking someone to be your “wingman”. In fact, people would be more than happy to be a networking “wingman.” It can be awkward to brag about yourself to a stranger, but a friend can talk up your successes and achievements – and you can do the same for them. Especially, if your connection is able to get you a job somewhere, they can get some benefit out of that too, in terms of money and promotions.

•  Maintaining Networks with As Much Fervour as Building Networks

Oftentimes it happens that people only focus on building networks but do not do much to maintain them. They would pop out of nowhere and ask for help while staying quiet for the past few months and years. Networking is an ongoing process. Simply establishing a connection is not enough. You need to nurture it, just like watering a plant. It is not a one and done deal where you meet a contact and then speak with them only when you need something. If you really want to connect, nurture a sustainable, give and take relationship. One can leverage the availability of Social Media to keep in touch. An occasional “Hello” or wishing people on special days can really bolster your network. And it is quite effortless to do it too. But one must not forget the importance of in person meetups. Social Media is an excellent way to begin relationships, authentic professional relationships require in-person meetings to build depth. Trust is hard to develop without the personal interaction involved in face-to-face conversation.

• Never Stop Hunting for Opportunities

Focus on growth and think about the people you encounter daily. Grab a business card or search for them on LinkedIn if there is any chance you can call on them professionally in the future. One must take care to not be selfish when networking. Establish a foundation first; learn about the other person and tell them about you. Once there is a foundation, it is OK to ask for something, but don’t jump the gun and ask for favours outright. Networking should be authentic and should be part of both your business and professional lives. We are naturally social beings and should ensure we socialise rather than engage in forced exchange.

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