Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in FlexJobs.com.
Building a professional network takes time and practice. Honing your networking skills will help you build a network that will support your career for years to come.
Networking is not only a key strategy to help you land your next job or change careers, but it’s also a good practice to adopt throughout your career.
While human interactions can sometimes feel overwhelming, using emotional intelligence to help build relationships with people is a key tool to aid your efforts.
Having the right strategies and tools will allow you to successfully participate in networking events while executing a solid networking strategy that will expand your professional network and help you build meaningful connections and relationships along the way.
Types of social activities
Finding cyber events requires some research. First, understanding what a networking event is will help you plan and research the type of event you want to attend.
If you’re asking yourself “What is a social event?”, consider the following options.
- business social events: At events such as conferences or trade shows, you may interact with people who are related to your business but who work differently from you
- local social events: Events happening near you where local professionals, business leaders and community members can connect and build relationships
- Professional networking events: An event with others who are in the same profession as you or have a similar professional background
The purpose of networking is to make introductions and build relationships. You want to make sure you choose an event that will expand your network and put you in contact with the right people.
For example, if you are Network as a freelanceryou’ll want to host some social events to help you maintain stable job prospects and income.
How to find social events
After you determine the types of social events you can attend and which ones you want to attend, you need to figure out what specific events are available.
1. Start early
In fact, networking for a successful job search begins long before you even look for a job. Building relationships with your connections is something you should always be working on.
Reaching out to your network regularly will help keep you top of mind so that your network can better assist you when you start looking for a job.
2. Talk to friends and family
Your friends and family have their own networks and may be able to help you brainstorm ideas. They can also point you in the direction of local or professional networking events based on their own connections.
Gaining a deeper understanding of your personal network can help you feel more comfortable with your connections and may even lead to some ideas you haven’t considered!
3. Check out different social networking sites
Platforms like Eventbrite and LinkedIn are great for finding professional networking events and making connections.
You can also use your Alumni Network. Your alumni group can direct you to various networking events and may provide networking tips and resources, such as advice on how to organize an elevator pitch.
Also, explore local organizations. The best way to find local network events is a local search.
Meetup is one resource, and your local chamber of commerce is another organization that will provide an updated calendar of local and business networking events you can attend.
How to prepare for a social event
When it comes to social events, preparation is crucial.
Proper preparation not only helps you know who will be attending the event, it also gives you the confidence to start making connections and having important conversations.
1. Research who will be there
Whether you’re attending a business networking event, a professional networking event, a virtual networking event, or a local networking event, it’s important to know your audience.
Many social events are held at least once a year, so you can research past events to get an idea of the attendees and number of people.
If not, consider the occasion of the event – what it is and how it fits into your plans for connecting with others.
2. Have a goal
Writing down one or two goals for your social event will help keep you on track as the event begins. Social events can be nerve-wracking for many people, so it’s a good idea to have a clear idea of how many people you want to talk to.
Your goal might be as simple as making three new connections.
3. Prepare your elevator pitch
When attending any social event, you need to prepare a brief statement. one elevator pitch Tell people who you are and the value you provide. A solid sales pitch is a critical step in building lasting professional relationships.
4. Dress for success
Whether you’re networking in person or as a virtual worker and will be in front of the camera, dressing up for a networking event will help put you in the right frame of mind.
Some social events have specific clothing requirements, but for those that don’t, consider what to wear that’s both comfortable and professional.
Casual attire may be fine, but be careful also Be casual, as others may not take you seriously.
5. Consider the beginning of the conversation
Spending some time beforehand thinking about how to approach social conversations will help you feel more confident in your interactions during the event.
Remembering some questions you can ask or compliments you can share ahead of time can go a long way in making a lasting impression.
6. Listen and ask follow-up questions
Sometimes it’s better to listen more than to speak more. Interacting with others, making sure people feel heard and engaging in genuine conversations will make them feel good about themselves.
Active listening and asking engaging questions will also make your interactions with them more memorable.
7. Find a mentor
Working and having conversations with people who are currently doing the job you want to do can provide you with key insights into the role you are seeking.
one career mentor May be able to help you identify any certifications required for the position you are pursuing, as well as companies that may be hiring for positions that interest you. They can also share how they were able to obtain their jobs.
Knowledge is power, and it always pays to have people in your network who have the information you need to help you find a new job.
8. Consider bringing a business card
Putting your name and contact information on business cards to share with people you meet at networking events may seem obvious, but it can be overlooked.
Plan ahead and bring more business cards than you think you’ll need to ensure you don’t run out of cards.
How to maintain a new network connection
After networking events and conversations, it’s important to have a follow-up plan to maintain your connections and build relationships.
When you follow up with your connections, you’ll be more likely to stay ahead of the curve and better equipped to build on that first conversation.
Here are some tips for successfully maintaining your network connection.
1. Set goals
For many people, the Internet does not come naturally. Therefore, it is an activity that is often moved to the bottom of the to-do list. However, the Internet can bring great job opportunities.
To ensure your commitment to the web, set daily and weekly goals. Write down a goal for how many people you want to reach each day or week, and block out time on your calendar for outreach.
With goals and a plan, your networking efforts will be more likely to yield results.
2. Make follow-up plans
When you meet a new contact, set a specific date and time when you plan to follow up and add it to your calendar. Consciously adding appointments to your calendar will help you prioritize follow-up.
While there’s no hard and fast rule for when to follow up after meeting with someone, a good rule of thumb is within about a week.
In addition to the initial follow-up, adding additional time to connect after a few weeks will remind you to continue making new connections.
3. Authentic and trustworthy
Any written or oral communication should truly reflect who you are. People can see through falsehoods and generally recognize insincere messages.
Show your sincerity, maintain positive and enthusiastic energy, and reach out to your network with confidence. After all, the hard part is over – you’ve made a connection.
4. Keep your tone professional and friendly
Networking is a professional activity and communication should be professionally appropriate. Respect and courtesy are the goals, but a friendly tone is acceptable and helps achieve conversational balance.
5. Send email
Emailing your new contacts is an easy way to follow up, and interacting with your contacts via email gives you the opportunity to write and respond at a time that’s most convenient for you.
Keep your emails relatively short. Thank your contact for their time and mention that you look forward to staying in touch, opening the door for future conversations.
6. Offer your help and support
The Internet is a two-way relationship, and it’s always a good idea to be willing to help others. When interacting with your network connection, ask open-ended questions, such as “How can I help you?”
Asking this question will help you identify potential opportunities to help your new links and avoid overusing your Internet connection.
Plus, showing that you’re willing to help your connections ensures a reciprocal relationship—that’s when networking is most effective!
