There are many things we are taught in
school.
How to sit quiet. How to speak proper.
When to write our exams. Where to write our names on exam sheets
In courses like Law, you’re taught the
basic rules of Contract. That one cannot give what they do not have, a.k.a nemo dat quod non habeat. And that you
have some obligation to be your sister’s keeper, under the law of tort.
We are urged to make the best grades, and
are assured of the good life waiting for us outside the gates of school, once
we stick to our teachers’ every wise word.
What we are seldom taught (if taught at
all) is the need for, and the art of networking.
Networking entails constantly meeting,
discussing with, and exchanging ideas with people of same (professional) interests.
In these times, where ‘being intelligent’ has been made the new average by the
many tools that the internet affords, networking has become as fundamental to
career growth, as tomato is to Nigerian jollof.
I learnt this the hard way in the course
of my career, especially moving to a whole new place, and having little number
of professional contacts in my field. I would go to a professional event, sit
tongue-tied, feeling lost the whole time, and leaving lostier than I was when I came.
Over time however, I came to understand
(and appreciate) the value of networking. Through networking, I have met
amazing mentors, built professional (and personal) bonds, and even gotten
awesome job opportunities. And I have learnt that even for the self-employed,
networking is an AWESOME tool in putting your brand out there, and keeping the
business rolling in.
While I cannot promise you that I have
locked down the "48 Secret Laws of Power-Networking" (lol... if you find them, please share them
with me too) I can share with you tips I have learnt along the way, to help
you get started on this networking journey.
1. Build
your online Profile: If you're still under the mistaken belief that your employability
is only based on your CV, then you're still stuck somewhere in the mid-80s.
With the availability of digital
footprints, it is easy scour the internet for a quick due diligence on a
prospective employer, employee or business partner.
Be deliberate with your digital
footprints. Keep your online profile consistent, and marketable.
If you do not have a LinkedIn account,
again, you're somewhere in the mid-1960s. At the very least, have an up-to-date
LinkedIn account. And it doesn't matter if you're still in school; the earlier,
the better.
2. Join
Professional networking groups: Snoop around your vicinity and profession.
What networking groups would afford you the opportunity to build your
professional community? Join professional associations where you can, sign up
for networking events, and strive to attend these events when you can.
3. Engage:
It is not enough to just join professional groups, then sit pretty. Engage in
events you attend. Engage on LinkedIn. It could be as simple as asking
important questions to clarify salient points in an event, or clicking an article
by someone in your field that you admire, and adding your own views.
Reach out to members of your network on
LinkedIn. When you do, keep it simple, and straight to the point. If you get a
chance for a chat or coffee, find shared interests to chit-chat on as well.
4. Volunteer:
There is often the mistaken belief that volunteering one’s services only
benefits the organisation being volunteered. This is not true.
In addition to increasing one’s
professional network based on interactions with people met at volunteering
opportunities, there is also the advantage of gaining better knowledge
first-hand in the area of specialty of the organisation. You could also volunteer
your time with the associations you join, as well as your immediate community
where you live.
5. Aim
at building relationships: This is a tough one to digest sometimes. The
truth is that nine out of ten times, no one will meet you at one sitting and
hand you a job, or give you the keys to their business empire. But if you build
genuine professional relationships, you would be increasing the number of
people willing to refer you for or to an opportunity in future. More
importantly, you'd be enriching yourself with valuable associations, which will
carry beyond just finding the next gig.
When you start a networking relationship,
look beyond "what can they do for me?" to forming an actual
(professional) connection with the other person. See every network connection
as a potential opportunity for long-term professional relationship, rather than
as a means to an end. Nobody likes to be a "means" to an end.
6. Keep
reading: It is important to keep yourself apprised on happenings in your
area of interest so that at the very least, you can hold meaningful
conversations during networking events/opportunities.
Make out time a week to read, either core
materials, or online articles. Keep increasing your knowledge in the area.
7. Network
laterally: While job-hunting or even business-hunting, it is easy to spend
the most of your focus on networking with people more senior than you in your
field, as they probably wield more influence and make the most of the business
decisions.
But people greatly underestimate the huge
resource that one's peers constitutes in networking. Your peers have their ears
closer the ground; they know of the existence of that opportunity, even before
"management" has decided to publish same. They understand the inner
workings of the business or organisation, and are likely to be more emphatic in
understanding the challenges you face. Accordingly, your lateral connections
are more likely to be rooting for and with you, than connections hirer up the
ladder.
Even your lateral connections also
searching for opportunities (like your) are great avenues for networking. They
may come across opportunities not suited for them, but which would be a perfect
fit for you. They are also likely to be ready to go into business partnership
with you, and take same risks with you.
In networking, never under-estimate your
peers.
8. Keep
Networking: When you FINALLY land that perfect job or the business client...
you would be hurting yourself to stop networking. While you may not be
available at the drop of a hat for every event, it is important that you keep
yourself 'out there'. It would help you stay on top of potential opportunities
for your organisation, and especially, for your own future development.
And even within your organisation, you
will find that it is as important to continue to apply the networking skills
you have acquired. Particularly if it is a bigger organisations, with various
opportunities to explore for exciting work streams.
Whatever you do, remember that networking
never gets old. Keep attending events. Keep meeting people. Keep making (and
growing your connections)
Keep networking.
Paz,
Meg.
Photo-credit: www.unpakt.com
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