Table of Contents
- What Are the 4 Common Networking Myths Holding Back Your Career Growth?
- Recommendation
- Take-Aways
- Summary
- Growing your network can be as simple as making a new friend.
- Good preparation reaps benefits.
- Make a good first impression.
- Be generous with your time, and offer to help your contacts.
- About the Author
What Are the 4 Common Networking Myths Holding Back Your Career Growth?
Stop dreading networking events with Professor Jamie Gruman’s expert advice. Learn how to debunk common myths, craft a natural elevator pitch, and transform awkward “schmoozing” into genuine relationship building that boosts your salary and career satisfaction.
Read the full guide below to master the specific open-ended questions that turn cold introductions into meaningful professional connections.
Recommendation
If the idea of putting on a fake smile to hobnob with higher-ups and schmooze new clients reviles you, take solace in the fact that you are not alone. Many people consider networking a dirty job, yet networking is a tried and tested tactic for driving career advancement and business growth. Jamie Gruman, a professor of organizational behavior at the University of Guelph, suggests that networking needn’t be a headache, so don’t mock it until you’ve tried it.
Take-Aways
- Growing your network can be as simple as making a new friend.
- Good preparation reaps benefits.
- Make a good first impression.
- Be generous with your time, and offer to help your contacts.
Summary
Growing your network can be as simple as making a new friend.
Networking — like it or loathe it, it is a useful tool for climbing the corporate ranks and opening the door to business opportunities. Though its benefits are well documented, many people nevertheless steer clear of networking events and opportunities. Perhaps they are too shy, lack confidence, or feel disingenuous when trying to rub shoulders with others.
“Networking has been shown to be associated with career success in the form of salary growth over time, and career satisfaction. In the end, avoiding networking may hurt your career.”
Happily, networking needn’t be a sinister or unpleasant act. Growing your network can be as simple as making a new friend. Disavow the four most common networking myths:
- Effective networkers are born, not bred — Networking is not an innate talent. You can sharpen your networking muscles with practice.
- Effective networkers are ruthless go-getters — In fact, the best networkers enjoy collaborating with others and view relationship building as an opportunity to give, not to take.
- Effective networkers act as gatekeepers to their contacts — Rather, the best networkers thrive on helping others and are happy to make introductions to further grow their own circles.
- Effective networkers communicate constantly with all their contacts — Maintaining your network needn’t be exhausting. The best networkers prioritize the contacts that are most important to them at a given moment.
Good preparation reaps benefits.
Maximize your networking opportunities by laying good foundations. Join sports and leisure clubs to expand the circle of people you encounter, and attend as many work events as you can squeeze into your calendar. Prepare a short introduction, or elevator pitch, to use when you meet a new contact. Recite it until you can rattle it off in a way that sounds natural rather than overly polished or rehearsed.
Before you attend any networking event, study the guest list, and jot down the names of anyone you’d like to meet. Look at their profiles on LinkedIn, and research their companies online, to learn more about them.
Make a good first impression.
At networking events, strive to meet as many people as you can. First impressions matter, so greet those you meet with a warm smile, and speak with confidence. Give your conversation partner your full attention rather than scanning the room for the next person to whom you want to introduce yourself.
Ask open-ended questions that can instigate a fruitful conversation, allowing you to discover common interests. While asking about hobbies is acceptable, don’t pry into people’s personal lives. Be willing to reveal your own interests, too.
Networking doesn’t have to be formal. You can request a contact to introduce you to someone you’d like to meet. Similarly, you should consider ways that you can help others with your connections, knowledge, and skills.
At the end of every conversation, thank each new contact for their time. Express a desire to stay in touch, and offer to swap contact details.
Be generous with your time, and offer to help your contacts.
After every networking event, jot down the names of any new contacts you made, and write down any personal information that they shared with you, such as work anniversaries or birthdays. Reach out to them to congratulate them on those days. Be aware of any upcoming events in their lives, such as promotion opportunities, and offer help or support during those times.
“Nobody is perfect at networking, but we can all improve with practice.”
If you come across an interesting news article or video that you believe a contact would find relevant or interesting, send it to them. Or extend an invite to lunch or coffee, without any business agenda. Be open and friendly, and demonstrate that you have time for your contacts.
If these tips feel overwhelming, find solace in the fact that only 2% of all managers are effective across all areas of networking. Thus, the vast majority of people have room for improvement. If you network right, it won’t feel sinister or manipulative but enriching and fun. You will help others while also benefiting your career.
About the Author
Jamie Gruman is a professor of organizational behavior at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada.