Art of Networking that Drives Success
Spreading your network sounds exciting but most of us do not dare to initiate a communication process, even if we initiate the conversation,it becomes dry and dead ultimately, it’s very hard to leave a good impression on a person. Networking is wonderful whether you are looking for a job, job changes or a business promotion.
Here we are going to know about what networking is what are the required skills and how we are going to master them:
What are Networking Skills
- Networking skills are the competencies you need to have to maintain professional or social contacts.
- It is the exchange of information and ideas with groups as well as individuals that have shared interests, such as long-term relationships are developed for mutual benefit.
- It is usually in an informal social setting.
- It is a critical skill in a job,sales, business development, and several other industries.
- Networking skills are necessary to make and develop relationships with new contacts and promote something of value.
- It is a two-way process.
Must have Networking Skills
There are few different skills that you can implement to become more effective at networking. Please have a look:
- Interpersonal Skills
- Communication Skills
- Social & Behavioral Skills
- Mindful Listening
- Sympathy &Empathy
- Focus& Concentration
- Go-Getter Attitude
- Self-Empowerment
- Public Speaking Skills
- Nonverbal Communication
- Assertive Approach
- Light Frame of Mind
Why is Networking Important
Highly in demand and successful people, when asked say that they have achieved this success with their networking skills. So, we will be discussing here why this in-demand skill of “interpersonal Networking” is important to have.
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It Provides You Favorable Chances
Why two persons having the same qualification same knowledge goes for an interview and one of them gets selected, have you ever thought why this happens because the selected one may have a strong reference which eventually brings more trust.Therefore, it is comprehensible how networking can give you a push to opportunities such as referrals, business, start-ups, partnerships,sales, and many more.
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It Gives You A Platform To Communicate
Your Interpersonal Skills of Networking provide you with a great chance to share ideas and information with other people. You can meet and learn from the experience of other people who all have been in situations where you currently stand. So, through networking, you can learn and see things from different dimensions.
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It Distinguishes You From Others
In this noisy world where we are continuously bombarded-with advertisements, emails, and sales pitches, messages. We are left with a lot of clutter in our lives. Networking helps you form personal relationships which is why you can grow above all that annoying noise and make yourself or your business stand out.
How to Improve Networking Skills
When we understand that networking is the staircase that leads you towards success you can work over your networking skills in the following methods:
- One To One Interaction: Due to technology, we tend to anticipate our connections through the internet and assume it’s a good way to be in touch. But, in reality, do you give any attention to all the bombardment of texts, emails, and calls…no not at all so it’s the time to get off that screen and make some face-to-face, one-to-one interactions.
- Change Your Approach: When we step down in the market to accelerate the business, we tend to see people as our next target, this approach is very negative we must not treat people like our business targets. One should treat his / her contacts like they treat their friends, close ones without expecting beneficial results. That way, the pavement would become smoother and stress less.
- Focus On Your Steps: We always want to achieve bigger things in life without focusing on the baby steps. So, it’s good to see the big picture but setting small goals can also be a part of your success story. For instance, you can fix 5 meetings in a week instead of 10. That’s how you can have more time with your potential client. you are sowing a seed to have a big grown-up tree.
How to Network Smartly
Networking skills don’t come with birth these are the skills a person evolves with time, practice, and lots of effort. This talent is remarkable as it gives you an enlarged circle of people and glamour.
- Know Your Goals: First of all, you need to know that what your exact goal is? What is your expectation from this relationship that you are developing? Do you want to enter some specific industry with your contacts, you want to meet someone who can guide you in your career maybe all of this? You have to have a gauge inside to know the levels. so that you will be able to prepare to introduce, pitch, or for solicitation.
- Make Use Of Your Circle: Your friends and your acquaintances are your valuable assets they can play a significant role in the enhancement and enlargement of your growth. Connecting to people you already know is quite easy than you are meeting the first time. You need less investment of time and other resources when you are strengthening your existing relationships. Your friends and known ones could connect you to different peoples in the industry to give leverage to your business or career.
- Step Out Experts: Talking about social media in terms of networking sounds a good solution as you can connect with n number of people at the same time saving energy and resources but sitting behind the screen doesn’t bring up that bond. So, all the experts and the job-seekers must get out of their comfort shell and meet some gems in the industry to know the real groundwork.
- Do Some Permutation Combinations: If you are looking for a job and you know that one of your friends or acquaintances is there you can use their referral after taking their consent that way you will be a trustworthy person in front of the hiring team and can have some extra points over others. There are companies that all are paying the referral amount to the existing employees. it’s a win-win situation.
- Engage Subsequently: Once you are done with an event you must be connected to your new contacts by follow-up emails, text, or thank you cards. Revise the conversation you had and jot down some points. be the giver first to flourish your relationship, to yield something bigger. Always try to carry few printed copies of your resume if you are looking for better opportunities and business cards in case you want to have some leads.