Kathy Caprino* shares advice on how to be a successful networker — both in the real and the digital world.
One of the most important career activities that both new and seasoned professionals need to focus on today is accelerating their success at networking.
However, as we continue to move more fully to a digital world, there’s a great deal of confusion and misinformation about how to network effectively.
In a typical year, I hear from hundreds of professionals globally asking questions about the specific steps they should take to reach out to strangers.
I also experience people reaching out in an off-putting manner, burning bridges that could have been highly useful for them.
Below is my take on the most essential networking tips that will help you reach new mentors, sponsors and ‘ambassadors’ who can open doors to elevate you and your work.
Stop shying away from networking
Understand why networking is essential if you want to build a truly rewarding career that will grow as you grow
According to recent studies, as many as 80 per cent of jobs are not landed by applying online, but through personal and professional connections.
You need inspiring and influential people in your corner to help you land and assess potential jobs and continually evolve throughout your career.
A supportive network helps you identify great new jobs of interest, vet organisations and cultures, or connect with people already working in your desired field.
They can show you that you’re worthy of bigger possibilities than you originally considered, and present yourself in a more confident and compelling manner.
Unfortunately, thousands of people shun networking because they feel it’s somehow deeply challenging or even ‘unsavoury’ and ‘awkward’.
Introverts often perceive networking to be in stark contrast with their preferred personal style.
However, there are ways to engage in networking without it feeling intimidating and difficult.
Matthew Pollard, author of the bestselling book The Introvert’s Edge to Networking, and an introvert himself, shares exactly how this can be accomplished.
Make full use of LinkedIn and other networking platforms
I’ve seen in working with professionals that how you do LinkedIn is how you do your career.
In reviewing scores of LinkedIn profiles a day, I can tell in five minutes more about how you’re operating in your professional life than you probably know yourself.
Take steps to power up how you’re operating in your work as well as how you’re presenting yourself online about your work.
Are you demonstrating that you are engaged, committed, excited about your work, a thought leader, a contributor, an inspiring manager, one who is making a difference?
As a start, make a list of the top 50 people in your career who have been the most helpful; make a connection and share how they’ve positively impacted you.
Keep your profile updated and make sure you’re making full use of all the features available on your chosen platform.
Choose an attractive headshot with a face-forward, smiling image and a compelling headline.
Some key Do’s and Don’ts
Don’t reach out to a total stranger and ask for a favour immediately.
Build a connection first and do that by being of generous service.
Don’t pitch someone hard right after you’ve connected with them. No one wants to be hawked, ever. You’ll burn bridges forever.
Don’t use canned language — be unique, creative and authentic.
Don’t ask a stranger with whom you’ve just connected to recommend you for a particular job. People won’t put their own necks on the line for someone they don’t know.
Do make a list of 50 people you’d like to connect with, and be of service in some way.
Do join organisations, societies, groups in the field of your choice and be active in them — answer questions, offer thoughtful discussion points, etc.
Do remember to connect with a wide array of folks in and outside your field whom you like and admire.
Demonstrate your potential to them by being of service through sharing their work.
Do write recommendations for those people who’ve had a positive impact on you, and also endorse them for key skills.
Be someone who is easy to help
Overall, the key message here is don’t be lazy or passive in your process of finding and vetting jobs that will help you thrive in your career.
Do your part fully to build professional success and to embark on an exciting new chapter.
Develop an ideal job description of what you want to do next, with all the criteria, qualifications, areas of expertise, etc. of a job you’d love to assume, and share that widely with your mentors.
If you don’t have all the qualifications for the job you want, take steps to close those power and skill gaps.
Take a class, earn a certification, volunteer, intern, etc. to build those skills.
Remember to go for a job even if you have only 50-to-60 per cent of the qualifications.
Research has shown that often men will go for jobs when they have only 60 per cent of the listed qualifications, but women tend to go only for roles where they have 100 per cent of the qualifications.
Don’t make that mistake. Go for stretch roles. Jobs are often created and shaped for the right candidate.
Finally, understand that success in your job search and career is inextricably linked to how you feel about yourself internally and how you talk about yourself externally.
It’s essential to understand and communicate the core value you deliver, and the positive impact you can make in a new organisation.
*Kathy Caprino runs a leadership and career success coaching and consulting firm dedicated to the advancement of women. She can be contacted at kathycaprino.com.
This article first appeared at forbes.com.
