“The richest people in the world look for and build networks. Everyone else looks for work.”
Richard Kiyosaki
Career Ambitions writes:
Why, we hear you ask?
Networking benefits both yourself, and the company you work for. It gives you an opportunity to shout about yourself and your company, raising awareness and ensuring that you are at the forefront of the industry, as well as keeping up with developments and changes that may be taking place.
The thing is, if you confine yourself to the office, you’ll probably be left behind. Way behind. And what good will that be for your employer? The best candidates are often those who prove their passion for their role by taking it further than the 9 to 5, those who strive to do more, learn more, influence more.
It doesn’t only benefit your employer though. Looking for a new job can be extremely daunting. One made even scarier if you’ve already resigned from the networking scene! Studies have found that up to 80% of jobs are found through networking, so there is a huge amount to be gained from getting out there and talking to people.
The key to successful networking is to arrive with a purpose. Why are you there? What do you want to achieve? Go prepared with an intro speech (or elevator pitch) – keep it snappy and briefly explain who you are, what you do / what you want to do, and perhaps how you think that person might be able to help. Remember that networking is a two way street – so be interesting and also interested - how could you help them?
Most importantly, keep an open mind. You don’t know who you could meet, or how they could come in handy down the line, so try to keep in touch wherever possible. And remember: it’s as much about who you know, as who knows you…
For tips on professional networking, visit the Career Ambitions website or join the free Career Ambitions Club today.
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