Understanding Networking
Are you looking to boost your career development and expand your network? Connecting with various contacts is a must-do, but have you considered its impact on our collective success? In this article, you'll discover the key to growing your career while supporting others who come after you. Plus, we'll explore why sharing experiences, challenges, and successes is crucial. Attending conferences and engaging in skill development is vital as an academic or anyone looking to further your knowledge. So, let's dive in!
"Networking is not about collecting contacts. Networking is about planting relations." - MiSha.
The Importance of Networking and Community Building for Professional Growth
So why do we network? What is our intention? In my own experience, the more you give to your network and by seeing it more as a community, the richer your experiences. But why do we network? What is the reason we go outside our immediate circle? There are several core reasons why networking is important. For example, for students, networking can offer opportunities for internships, mentorship prospects, and partnerships. Additionally, it can lead to lasting professional connections, friendships, and access to industry-specific information and trends.
Focusing more on the benefits of networking and community building it can increase your visibility in your industry, boost your professional reputation, and provide a platform to define your professional identity. Building a strong network can unlock new opportunities, encourage creative ideas, and establish a sense of belonging. Defining your professional identity is essential for career growth and can help you stand out in a competitive job market.
A Snippet from Science Networking and Our Identity: Holland's Figured Worlds
Networking not only influences our professional identity but also impacts our outlooks and approaches to solving problems. The richness and diversity of our network can redefine our perspective, enabling us to work with different stakeholders and understand their viewpoints. Moreover, it helps us nurture future generations by sharing our knowledge and experience.
Dorothy Holland's "figured worlds" theory considers how we change as we interact with different individuals and experiences. This theory suggests that our identity is shaped by the social environments we are part of. Therefore, the more diverse and rich our network is, the more it can challenge our assumptions and help us reflect on our beliefs and values.
Networking Offline vs Online
Regarding networking, when we think of online, we often think of platforms like LinkedIn, where many individuals new to the platform try to find their voice, connect with colleagues and aim to message more experienced individuals. Now, whilst there are certainly active creators on LinkedIn, like on other platforms, it often can be intimidating for new professionals to get traction. Generally, it is also often far less communicative than other social media outlets. However, it offers a vibrant community to share ideas where you can nurture a network off of a talking point in generally quite specific groups or follow various societies or organisations which host online and offline events for you to attend and to grow your community in person.
There are also Threads which takes the lead from what academic Twitter used to be. Giving people the opportunity to discuss ideas and find other academics or researchers engaging with short-form content. Facebook groups serves a similar role to a mixture of threads and Twitter in this area. The other platforms have some benefits but are dominated by content creation and interaction with the individual producer rather than network building.
Expanding your professional network as a student often benefits from in-person networking. Developing your interpersonal skills, including initiating conversations, asking questions, and engaging in meaningful discussions, is crucial. Doing so will enable you to maximise the benefits of attending conferences and events. Feel free to interact with other attendees and actively listen to their ideas. Establishing connections with your peers can lead to long-lasting relationships that can help advance your career. After the event, following up with the people you meet is advisable. A personalised message expressing gratitude for their time and interest in keeping in touch is a good idea. You can gain new insights, collaborations, and career opportunities by dedicating time and effort to cultivating these relationships.
The Impact of Personality Traits
If you are a student seeking to develop networking skills and understand personal preferences, examining the connection between personality and networking behaviours is crucial. According to a study by Wolff and Kim, extraversion and openness to experience promote networking behaviours that involve exchanging task-related and strategic information. If you are an extrovert, you may actively seek social attention and engage in interactions at work. If you are agreeable, you may maintain and use internal contacts. Openness to experience is associated with keeping contacts, reflecting a preference for novel information. It is important to note that different personality dimensions have unique relationships with various networking behaviours. By comprehending them, you can create a strategy that works best for you. Do not hesitate to step out of your comfort zone and try new things, but recognise and utilise your strengths to your advantage.
Networking Strategies for Students: Making the Leap into the Professional World
For students just starting their journey into the professional world, networking can be daunting. However, it's a crucial skill to develop early on. Here are some strategies tailored specifically for students:
Start Small: Begin by networking within your university or college. Attend alumni events or career fairs on campus. These familiar settings provide a comfortable environment to practice networking skills without the added pressure of a large, unfamiliar crowd.
Example: Joining a student organisation related to your field of interest can be an excellent way to start. You'll meet like-minded peers and have opportunities to engage in networking activities within the academic setting.
Leverage Your Strengths: Students often possess excellent listening skills and a thoughtful communication style. Use these strengths to your advantage. When you engage in conversations, take the time to actively listen to others. Ask thoughtful questions and show a genuine interest in what they say.
Example: During a networking event, when you meet a professional in your field, ask open-ended questions about their experiences and insights. Your genuine interest can leave a positive impression.
Prepare in Advance: Research the attendees of networking events, whether alumni, industry professionals, or peers. Background knowledge about the people you'll interact with can help ease anxiety and facilitate meaningful conversations.
Example: If you're attending a career fair, list the companies and organisations present. Research their missions, values, and current job openings. This preparation will enable you to ask informed questions and express a genuine interest in potential opportunities.
Quality Over Quantity: Feel free to collect as many contacts as possible. Instead, focus on building meaningful connections. It's better to have a few solid relationships offering valuable insights and opportunities than a long list of contacts with whom you have yet to make a real connection.
Example: Imagine you meet a professional who shares your passion for environmental conservation at a networking event. Instead of rushing to exchange business cards with a dozen people, spend more time engaging in a deep conversation with this individual. This quality connection may lead to mentorship or job opportunities in the future.
Leverage Online Platforms: In today's digital age, online networking is as essential as face-to-face interactions. Utilise social networking sites, such as LinkedIn, to connect with professionals globally. Build an impressive online profile that reflects your skills, experiences, and career aspirations.
Example: Create a LinkedIn profile that showcases your academic achievements, internships, and extracurricular activities. Connect with professors, alumni, and professionals in your field. Engage in discussions and share relevant content to establish yourself as a knowledgeable and enthusiastic student in your area of interest.
Networking Strategies for the Neurodiverse: Embracing Diversity in Networking
Neurodiversity encompasses a range of neurological differences, including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Networking can pose unique challenges for neurodiverse individuals, but these challenges can be overcome with the right strategies:
Know Your Strengths: Neurodiverse individuals often possess strengths like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Recognise and embrace these strengths when networking.
Example: If you're attending a conference, offer to take detailed notes during sessions or volunteer to help with data analysis if it aligns with your strengths. This proactive approach can make you a valuable contributor in networking contexts.
Communicate Your Needs: Don't hesitate to communicate your needs and preferences to others. If you require specific accommodations or have sensory sensitivities, express them politely to event organisers or colleagues.
Example: If you're attending a networking event in a noisy environment and find it overwhelming, consider wearing noise-cancelling headphones or requesting a quieter space to engage in conversations.
Practice and Prepare: Rehearse your introduction and talking points before attending networking events. This can help reduce anxiety and increase your confidence during interactions.
Example: Role-play with a friend or mentor to practice introducing yourself and discussing your professional goals. Repeated practice can make networking conversations feel more familiar and less intimidating.
Use Technology to Your Advantage: Leverage technology to facilitate communication. Email or social media can be less overwhelming than in-person conversations for some neurodiverse individuals.
Example: If you find face-to-face networking challenging, consider sending a follow-up email to a contact you met at an event. This email can express your gratitude for the conversation and provide a platform for further discussion.
Seek Support and Resources: Many organisations and networks offer support and resources for neurodiverse individuals in professional settings. Explore these opportunities and connect with others who share similar experiences.
Example: Joining a neurodiversity-focused professional network or support group can provide a safe and understanding space to discuss networking challenges and share strategies for success.
Networking Strategies for Introverts and Extroverts: Capitalising on Your Personality Traits
Networking styles can vary significantly between introverts and extroverts. Here are tailored strategies for each personality type:
Networking Strategies for Introverts:
Strategic Selectivity: Introverts should strategically choose networking events and opportunities that align with their interests and strengths. Focus on quality over quantity when selecting events to attend.
Example: If you're an introverted writer, consider attending a small writers' workshop or joining an online writing community where you can engage in meaningful discussions.
Preparation Is Key: Introverts often excel in one-on-one interactions. Prepare thoughtful questions and talking points to make the most of these one-on-one conversations.
Example: Before attending a networking dinner, research the backgrounds and interests of the attendees. Prepare questions that can lead to engaging and meaningful discussions during the meal.
Leverage Written Communication: Introverts often shine in written communication. To continue the conversation, consider following up with a personalised email or message after a networking event.
Example: After meeting someone at a conference, send a well-crafted email expressing your interest in their work and suggesting a potential collaboration or discussion.
Set Realistic Goals: Introverts may find setting achievable networking goals for each event helpful. For instance, aim to have meaningful conversations with three new people rather than trying to meet everyone in the room.
Example: At a conference, set a goal to connect with three fellow attendees who share your research interests. This targeted approach can make networking feel more manageable.
Practice Self-Care: Recognise when you need a break and engage in self-care activities during networking events. Taking short breaks to recharge can help introverts maintain their energy and focus.
Example: If you start to feel overwhelmed at a networking event, find a quiet corner to relax, take a deep breath, or engage in a brief mindfulness exercise to regain composure.
Networking Strategies for Extroverts:
Embrace Your Social Nature: Extroverts thrive in social settings, so embrace your social nature and engage with a wide range of people at networking events.
Example: At a business mixer, actively move around the room, introducing yourself to as many attendees as possible. Your sociable demeanour can make you a memorable presence.
Be a Connector: Use your extroverted energy to connect with others. Introduce like-minded individuals, make referrals, and foster connections between people who may benefit from knowing each other.
Example: If you meet a colleague passionate about environmental sustainability and another who works in renewable energy, introduce them to facilitate potential collaborations.
Elevate Your Listening Skills: While extroverts enjoy talking, being an attentive listener is equally important. Show genuine interest in others' stories and experiences.
Example: During a networking luncheon, actively listen to the accomplishments and challenges shared by your fellow attendees. Engage in conversations that demonstrate your interest in their insights.
Expand Your Networking Horizons: Extroverts often excel at networking within their immediate circles. Challenge yourself to expand your network by reaching out to individuals from diverse backgrounds and industries.
Example: Attend industry-specific events that are outside your usual sphere of influence. This can introduce you to new perspectives and opportunities.
Maintain Authenticity: While extroverts are naturally sociable, staying true to your authentic self during networking is important. Avoid being overly aggressive or insincere.
Example: When introducing yourself, share your genuine interests and experiences. Authenticity in your conversations can lead to more meaningful connections.
Overcoming Networking Challenges and Fears: A Universal Approach
Networking challenges and fears can affect individuals regardless of their personality type. Here are some universal tips to overcome these obstacles:
Embrace the Uncomfortable: Understand that stepping out of your comfort zone is crucial for personal and professional growth. Embrace the discomfort as a sign of progress.
Example: If you're naturally shy, recognise that attending a networking event may initially feel uncomfortable. However, each event you attend brings you one step closer to building valuable connections.
Practice Active Listening: Make a conscious effort to understand the other person during networking conversations. This can help alleviate social anxiety and create more meaningful interactions.
Example: During a conversation, resist the urge to respond while the other person is speaking. Instead, genuinely absorb their words and respond thoughtfully.
Be Authentic: Authenticity is the foundation of genuine connections. Be yourself during networking, as people are more likely to connect with the real you.
Example: Instead of trying to project a specific image or persona, share your authentic experiences, passions, and goals. This authenticity can lead to more meaningful and lasting relationships.
Seek Mutual Benefit: Networking is a two-way street. While advancing your professional growth is important, look for ways to help others. Building mutually beneficial relationships can be highly rewarding.
Example: When you meet someone at a networking event, inquire about their goals and challenges. If you have insights or resources to assist them, offer your support without expecting immediate reciprocation.
Measuring Networking Success
Networking success is more than just about the number of connections you have. It's about the quality of these connections, their value to your professional life, and the value you provide in return. Success can be measured in terms of new opportunities, knowledge gained, relationships built, and the overall enhancement of your professional standing.
Final Thoughts
Networking is an integral part of professional success. It poses as many opportunities as challenges, so if you are prepared to take that next exciting leap forward in your career, start building your network today.
"The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity." - Keith Ferrazzi.