The Myths of Networking...

Networking, today's most popular word among professionals, is actually developing the relationships, building community with trust. Most professionals and students want to increase their network in order to be known in the relevant society. 

Your professional network should be in place when you need it and you never know when this might be. It can help you to find a job or move up the career ladder but it needs lots of effort to maintain.

Let's discuss the myth of 'Networking', means what does not counted necessarily as networking and how to network strongly.

Other day I was attending a webinar by HBR (which I am really fan of, as I follow their articles, interviews, videos very rigorously) where three keynote speakers - Robbie Samuel (TEDx speaker and author of book), Carol Dominguez (President & CEO, Clements Consultants) and Spela Trefalt (Associate Professor, Simons University) were talking the attendees about networking. 

According to Spela, networking is not just sending requests in professional platform like Linked-In and then asking for a business request to sell their product and services, or home/office appointment for a business demo. Networking is not just collecting the business cards. Networking needs to have a purpose, not just going to every networking event to increase the personal connections. Networking events are not only the platform to create networks. 

One should be purpose driven. Research about the attendees, focus on what you really want to benefit from. Remember to connect with the highly influential people like CEOs, MDs, Resource persons. For this you need to be really confident. 

Most people lose the chance to connect an individual in the first attempt due to their hesitance, lack of confident and quality of introvert. One should never hesitate to introduce self. If you are meeting someone in a professional networking event, extend your hand with your own introduction - Hi, Many name is Rony, I work for Accor brand. What happens the person whom you are trying to connect, will have an idea about you and the conversation will be going forward. 

However, it's fact that most people like their job, but honestly there is more than a job. End the conversation with a high note and remember to draw a line, don't eat everyone's time. You can catch-up again with the same connections with your doubts or wishes. 

Another amazing trait is to show your curiosity while connecting with your network. Not necessary you know everyone, but you have a choice to be very open ended and disclose your professional and express that you are looking for the similar professionals. 

I personally, am fan of Linked-In. It keep s me motivated and connected with the world of professionals. However, I kind of get annoyed when I see there are some people send connection request just to jump on their requirements with business proposal. 

So, here the TIPS for Linked-in users, when to accept the connections in linked-in network?

➽ Someone whom you know personally or professionally or you have worked with in any of your previous or present job.

➽ Someone you do not know, but you can be benefited from due to the similar professions.

➽ Someone who sends a connection request along with a small 'request note', which defines their purpose of getting professionally connected.

Remember, you are not here to network with people just for collecting business cards, it should be a purpose driven. You can have a strong network if you are passionate, having a purpose and mostly you need to be authentic. 

Here is few networking TIPS for you.

➽ Always reach out to the right people. 

➽ Stay connected with the people in your network

➽ Attend the professional networking events

➽ Extend your help to your contacts

➽ Share industry updates relevant to your profession

➽ Try building your professional network online. 

Expanding your professional network is not something you should always think when you are in search of a job, but it should be part of your daily job life. You must invest your time on networking regularly to maintain sustainability. All relationships work in both directions and you can expect the benefits gradually out of it. 

Image courtesy to unsplash.com & reference to resumecoach.