Building a professional network is one of the most important things you can do to advance your training and career. Many people don't know how to do it, but creating a network is not as complicated as it sounds.
Even if you have just started in your world of training or work, you are already in a network. The next step is to learn how to expand, maintain, and use it effectively.
The professional network
A professional network is a group of people who connect with each other for professional or training-related or business reasons. Members, referred to as contacts or connections, can share information that may include, but is not limited to, employment or training opportunities.
They can also help each other solve work-related problems, recommend suppliers, and provide information on potential employers, employees, and clients.
Networking and career advancement
While a professional network can help you find potential clients when you are looking for work, there are many other ways you can advance your career. Here are some examples.
Learn about a career
When someone chooses a career, it is important to gather information about the occupations they are considering. While there are resources to explore your options, one of the best ways to learn about a career is to conduct an informational interview with someone who is currently working in it. You can seek help on your network for people to interview.
Find potential job candidates
If you are the hiring manager for a company, your contacts can help you get in touch with potential job candidates. You can too Get information about requests that did not come through your network.
Advice on a project
Are you worried about tackling a work project with which you have no experience? A member of your network who has done a similar one can offer advice or get in touch with someone who can. A note of caution: do not share confidential information, because it may be stolen!
Meet new clients
Do you need to meet a potential client? One of their contacts may be able to help you, but again, be careful when sharing confidential information outside of your organization.
Who should be in your professional network?
Your professional network can be made up of almost anyone you've ever met, as long as he or she is of good character. Guilt by association is a real thing, so avoid having your reputation tarnished by someone else's actions. Cvery one of your contacts can lead to new ones. Here are some suggestions:
- Current and former companions. Connect with the people you currently work with and have worked with in the past.
- Fellow members of professional associations. Attend conferences and introduce yourself to other attendees. Carry business cards with your non-work contact information. Be an active member, for example, sitting on a committee.
- Friends and family. Keep your family and friends informed about your career goals. You never know who can help you.
- Former teachers and instructors. The faculty of your college or university, especially those who taught in your specialty, should be part of your professional network.
- Former classmates. Consult the alumni directory of your college or university for possible connections.
Keep the network active
Don't let your professional network stop… if you don't take care of it, it will die. The last thing you want is to get in touch with someone who doesn't remember you or miss out on a great job or training opportunity., has not thought of you.
Make plans to meet up with your contacts, such as former co-workers. Maintaining this social life is important not for your personal improvement, but for your professional improvement. Get in touch a few times a year. The holidays are the perfect time to send a card or email. You can also reach out when you make a change, like starting a new job or getting a promotion.
Put shyness aside
Don't let shyness limit you ... because if you let shyness get the better of you, you will be in danger of missing out on the benefits of professional networks. For many people, it is not easy to reach others. Fortunately, resources like LinkedIn and Facebook give you the opportunity to make connections without having to pick up the phone or attend a networking event. These tools are indispensable for everyone, but they are particularly useful for shy or even not very sociable people. If you are shy, too It helps to find situations in which you feel most comfortable and take advantage of those opportunities to form relationships.