Networking: It’s Not About Who You Know But Who Knows You
This past week Women in Business had guest speaker, Rebecca Smith, speak on the topic of networking. I think we can all agree networking is just one of those skills that we all need. No matter your career path, networking is key to landing the position of your dreams; however, networking is more than just self introduction and making conversation. It takes confidence, intent, and practice. So, for anyone who missed the meeting with Rebecca Smith or just needs a refresher on how to “work the room,” keep reading, because I will be going over how to successfully network yourself!
Before we get into the “how,” let's think about some of the common fears of networking. Take a moment to think about what fears hold you back from networking. Rebecca asked our members the same question and some fears included, not knowing how to initiate conversation, getting stuck in conversation, and not being memorable. I bet many of you can relate to these fears or even thought of one of these fears as your own. And that is okay, because all of those fears are completely normal! It is important to become aware of our fears before we tackle the issue. Now that we know what to work on, let's discuss the three steps of networking that Rebecca suggests.
Purpose. Plan. Process.
The first step in networking is to recognize your purpose. Ways to recognize your purpose is to think about yourself as an individual. What stories, talents, experiences, and traits do you have to offer that will stand out amongst a group? This is important because knowing your purpose helps set yourself apart from everyone else. All of those little qualities will help you become confident and realize that you are needed. Networking all starts with you! If you do not believe you’re needed, employers probably won’t either!
The second part is to plan. There are many parts in networking that you can plan, so let's break this down.
BE PRESENT.
Before going into an event it is always best to figure out your current state of mind. If you can figure out what distractions may be on your mind and clear them, it will make the biggest difference in your focus. Employers will not only notice, but remember anyone who has genuine engagement. Additionally, part of preparing to be present and clearing your mind, comes with planning all the small things. You should consider logistics such as food, parking, location, and outfits. Never overlook even the littlest details of the event!
PREPARE QUESTIONS.
Before going into an event do some research. For instance, if you are going to the event to meet a particular person, look them up on LinkedIn and learn about their background and interests. In the instance you get to talk to them, you will know what to ask them. People love when you show interest in their lives and make them feel important!
“People don’t remember what you said or what you did, but how they made you feel.”
You can do more than ask questions to make people feel good. Always consider your body language. A simple smile goes a long way! Another great technique is to always refer to them with their name. Using someone’s name makes them feel recognized. Rebecca shared that what makes an individual most memorable is when they refer to her with her name. So simple, yet it can make all the difference!
LEARN TO INTERRUPT.
Many people struggle to network, because they always feel that there is no one to talk to since everyone is already talking to someone. Typically, eavesdropping and interrupting is rude, but in networking it’s free range! Networking is all about small talk. This means that there should be no long, private conversations. So do not hesitate to jump into a conversation, that’s the whole point of networking events.
THE WRAP UP.
When you are at a networking event the purpose is to meet new people. Therefore you should plan how to get out of a conversation, in order to move on to the next. A great way to wrap up a conversation is to ask for their LinkedIn, and say that you will reach out to them after the event to further the conversation.
The final step is to process. You’ve found your purpose, prepared and executed the plan, and now the event is over. However, after the event your networking is not done! The process step allows you to debrief the outcomes of the event. This is where you can follow through with the LinkedIn connections, and set up a coffee chat with employers that you connected well with in person.
And that’s the three P’s recommended by Rebecca! After reading this you probably feel confident and ready to work the room. Trust me that’s exactly how I felt after she presented too, but I’m going to add a fourth “P”. Practice. Knowing all this advice will only get you so far without actually executing these actions. The best part is that networking can be practiced with anyone, anywhere, and anytime. It can be casual and professional. Simply meeting a new friend in class can give you a chance to practice all the three P’s. Therefore, maybe try and set a goal to practice networking once a day or week. We can never get too much practice!
Rebecca shared that a common misconception of networking is that people believe it is all about knowing people. While there is truth in that belief, the real goal is to know people who also know you. So, the next networking opportunity you get try out the three P’s, purpose, plan, and process, but most importantly stay true to yourself. If you stick with these strategies employers will not only know you, but want to know you!
By Kayla Cunanan
