Most professionals who work within marketing communications, media or the creative industries will inform you that if you are participating in the great job hunt your chance of successfully landing your dream job or finding an ideal client will often be based on ‘who you know’ rather than ‘what you know’.
This can, at times, be disheartening especially for those of you who have moved cities, changed careers or are entering the job market after an extended period of time away.
Only connecting with someone when you need something from them is not sincere and will cause you to lose connections.
However by following a few simple rules, successfully building a strong professional network is not as daunting or difficult as it may seem.
Think about who you already know?
Take a moment to write down a list of all the people you currently have in your network, this may include close friends, family members and previous colleagues. You will soon discover that you network is actually larger than you first thought and that people who you may see every day could very well be the key to your success.
Find and attend RELEVANT networking events.
There are many associations and groups within Canada that regularly hold networking events. These events are great places to meet like-minded professionals in a casual and often fun setting. Websites such as www.meetup.com, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are also great tools that you can use to find out about local networking opportunities.
However, make sure you attend events that are relevant to you and your career goals. Networking is a time consuming task, so you don’t want to spend your time at mining industry events if the core goal of your networking experience is to land yourself a job in the entertainment industry.
Focus on building rapport and don’t ask every contact to help you!!
Regardless of how obvious this fact may seem there is always that one person who attends a networking event and rather than taking a moment to discuss the weather, the food or the wine before easing into a business discussion moves around from one person to another pitching idea’s, asking for jobs and handing out business cards with the same momentum you would expect to see at a speed dating event.
As tempting as it is to treat a networking event like it is corporate speed dating DO NOT!
This is not a good way to build everlasting connections. Networking is more effective if you build rapport with people. You are more likely to be remembered and recommended for a job if you click with the people you meet.
Take mental notes and remember key points from each conversation as this makes following up with the people you have meet easier.
In addition rather than always asking people to help you find a job, start listening to the people you meet and instead suggest ways that you could help them by providing your services.
Listen!
When you attend networking events remember that listening is just as important, if not more important, than talking. People are more likely to open up to you if they feel that you are engaged and interested in what they have to say.
Listening well while networking also gives you the opportunity to discover valuable information about the person you are talking with, their role in the community and how you may be able to assist them.
Take mental notes and remember key points from each conversation as this makes following up with the people you have meet easier.
Follow up and follow through.
Networking doesn’t end at the event. In the days following the event make sure you take the time to send individual emails or, if appropriate, make a short phone call to the people that you met. In addition you can connect with new contacts via twitter and LinkedIn.
This will show your new contact that you are serious about building a relationship with them.
When writing emails make sure you keep them short and conversational. As you know most professionals receive hundreds of emails everyday so writing a novel discussing how great the event was and why they should want to work with you will more than likely provide an annoyance rather than build rapport.
A simple acknowledgment that you enjoyed meeting them, a follow up on a conversation and the suggestion that you hope you can meet again in the future will suffice.
Also make sure when you follow up with your new connection you follow through and provide any information, tools or connections that you said you would provide. Making empty promises is guaranteed to give your new contact the impression that you are disinterested in helping them and that you are unreliable.
Don’t be an ungrateful networker.
Finally if you meet a new contact and they assist you in any way make sure you show them gratitude and provide them with feedback.
Only connecting with someone when you need something from them is not sincere and will cause you to lose connections.
Conclusion
Following these few simple rules can make networking an enjoyable and social experience. If done correctly networking can provide you with opportunities you never thought were possible and get you in touch with a variety of great people in your industry.
Mirey Faema is a freelance writer & communications professional who has experience working in Australia, Nicaragua, The Netherlands, Europe and Canada. Connect with Mirey online at @WWIIMMMM