Networking is the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. Simply put, networking means building connections with other professionals.
The reasons why networking is important include: a better reputation, increased visibility, a stronger support network, improved business growth, and more impactful connections.
Networking is essential since it will help you develop and improve your skill set, stay on top of the latest trends in your industry, stay informed on the job market, meet prospective mentors, partners, and clients, and gain access to the necessary resources that will nurture your career development.
Here are a few mistakes to avoid when networking:
1. Don't be afraid of face-to-face contact
Job seekers today often rely on the online ways to job hunt, without having to meet anyone in person. While things like online job applications and emails are helpful for getting your CV out there, at some point, it won't always be networking and (eventually) doing your job from behind a screen.
There is actually more chance of you getting rejected for a job via the internet, through unanswered emails, for example. Meeting with your potential employer face-to-face can show willingness and commitment to putting yourself out there and can demonstrate eagerness.
When networking, go to one or two in-person events. You don't have to be the most outgoing person, but talk to one or two people and find a middle ground.
2. Don't expect too much too quickly
When you begin networking you probably don't know the people you're trying to connect with, therefore it would be jumping the gun to ask for what you want from your networking contacts right away.
While showing eagerness to put yourself out there might pay off, doing too much too soon may backfire instead.
Take some time to get to know your contact first and see what skills or services you can provide for that person. Try not to think about what they can do for you just yet; the goal is to broaden your network and make meaningful connections so that they can help you later.
3. Make sure you meet enough people
Although you want to build strong relationships with your networking contacts, the goal is to meet as many people as possible when you’re at networking events.
While it can be daunting to introduce yourself and talk to strangers more than once, it's best to avoid falling short.
Show interest by asking questions, and if all is going well, politely ask for their card and ask for permission to stay in touch. This is a chance to spend a few minutes with someone and then move onto the next person.
4. Don't lack professionalism
It's good to be friendly, and to be yourself, but don't become too comfortable. You're essentially job hunting, after all.
Spend some time polishing your online presence, such as on LinkedIn or Facebook, to develop your brand. It might be helpful to remove things from your social media that you wouldn't want a potential employer seeing; many people create two accounts for this reason. One for work and another for personal use.
5. Not being specific
When meeting with what you hope will be your next job referral, be specific about your skills, talents and qualifications.
Don't downplay your skills; that way, your contacts will know who you are and who they should refer you to. Try not to flood your contacts with different, unrelated things that you want to accomplish in your professional career. Stick to the accomplishments you already have.
6. Don't forget to follow up/follow through
Don't expect people to come to you. It's up to the job seeker to follow through.
If you've made a connection that you think is a good lead, follow up with them. This ensures that the relationship continues and that you're building a good network.
Send your contact an email every now and then or give them a call to schedule another meeting, but try not to go overboard. The last thing you want to do is annoy your networking contacts.
7. Being impatient
You have to build up to your pitch. Focus on the other person for awhile and find ways where the two of you can continue to connect.
Be patient in waiting for a lead, as well. These things take time, but keep trying.
8. Dressing Inappropriately
Whether it’s a networking event you are attending or simply meeting a contact for lunch (or even a Zoom call) dressing professionally is something you should always keep in mind.
You're job searching, not attending something casual. A networking event can be a dress rehearsal for a job interview, but no one will help you get your foot in the door if you give a poor first impression.
Remember, you have to look and act the part so you can convince others that you’re ready to work and be a professional.
9. Don't forget to say thank you
It's simply impolite and can leave a bad impression, which could impact your success in networking.
To help you not forget to say thank you, you can set a reminder on your phone to send an email of gratitude to your newly-acquired contacts.
