Networking is important for everything from professional growth to job security. The Jobvite’s 2020 report, Job Seeker Nation, reveals that most workers have found new jobs through professional links (31%) and friends (45%).
If you think that social distance, lack of professional events, and distance working make the network more difficult to maintain, you may be surprised, says career coach Eliana Goldstein. “I think it’s one of the best times to network,” she says. People tend to have more flexibility in their schedules, and it’s easier to schedule a phone call or a 15-minute video conversation than it would be at a normal stage to schedule a coffee or lunch in a restaurant.
And note: it’s important to build your network before you need it, says Goldstein. So if you’ve neglected it or you’re not as strong as you’d like it to be, now is a good time to start growing it. Fast Company magazine lists some ways to get started:
Segmenting efforts
Networking is about building relationships, so thinking about your “target market” may seem a bit transactional. But people are focused on making the best use of their time, especially in a remote environment, says Michael Goldberg, founder of the consultancy Knockout Networking, and author of “Knockout Networking”. So think about the people you need in your network and focus on those targets.
Use the a-b-c approach
Goldberg likes to concentrate on the contacts listed under a letter of the alphabet on his phone. Choose a letter and work through the contacts listed there.
“Reach out to people you’ve had a great relationship with”, he suggests. The first written approach might be something like: “Hello, Antonio, it’s been a long time. I was just thinking about you, I’d love to keep in touch and catch up”.
Make networking a habit
Networking should be a weekly or monthly ritual, where you will keep in touch with former colleagues and friends, reach different people, and work to meet new people to add to your network. It is much harder to call and ask for something if you have not been in contact for years than if you have a continuous and warm relationship. Add “build my network” to the habits you will cultivate this year.
Use unexpected content
With the pandemic, people are making more use of social networks to stay connected. LinkedIn continues to see “record levels of involvement” according to the company’s October Report and Accounts. This network offers an excellent opportunity to get involved with content that others are publishing and publish their own conversations with their network, says entrepreneur and digital marketing expert Taylor Offer.
You don’t need to be a writer. Publish credible articles and information you find interesting. And you don’t have to be strictly professional. “You may be talking about a recipe you like to make for dinner when you’re working from home.” And that gives others a reason to keep it on top of their memory, respond and engage in conversation, argues Taylor Offer.
Join groups and communities
Find out if your industry and relevant business groups are holding virtual meetings, which can offer important opportunities to meet new people and connect with existing contacts. Better yet, get involved in a commission or project to build deeper relationships.
Goldstein advises you to search for online networking groups, including professional groups, alumni, and other relevant groups. Facebook recently released the results of a survey that reveals that more than half of Facebook members are in five or more active groups, and that 98% of people who belong to an online group feel a sense of belonging to that group.
It is always better to approach business relationships with a generous attitude, rather than thinking about what you can profit from or get from those connections, Goldberg advises. It can be as simple as facilitating presentations with other people you know. “We should start cultivating relationships with “giving” rather than “receiving” because later we will get the feedback”.
