The saying is true: It is not WHAT you know, but WHO you know. Following are a few tips to help you expand your professional network within your organization or externally. It not only takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to have a successful career or run a successful business. You cannot do it alone. Even if you could, why would you want to?
Volunteer: This can be internal to your organization or external. Hopefully, your organization is one that hosts corporate events for employees. If so, ask to join the team so you can add your input and meet other people from the company. Find out what people in other departments do. If nothing else, you may be able to make better use of internal resources when help is needed. If this is not offered by your organization, ask why not 🤷🏾 You can be the person to work with Human Resources to put something like this together. Especially when so many employees are either still working from home full-time or hybrid. Team or company events (even on Zoom) are a great way to build relationships. For those of us who are introverts, raise your hand to be the point of contact for department communication. This prompts others to come to you as opposed to you having to make the initial contact. Also, communication can be done through email or IM, so you do not feel obligated to fill in empty space by talking when meeting in person. Then, you can work your way to doing the same for the organization. If you have “never met a stranger” and are able to speak with or in front of others with ease, you can skip the baby steps and can go straight to HR and offer your hand for assistance with the next employee event.
Attend Professional Networking Events: this is a great way to land new business opportunities and is critical if you are a business owner. These events provide an opportunity for you to tell people about yourself and what you do, and it doesn’t have to feel “salesy” because that’s what you are there for. Not to mention, these events often have good food and adult beverages 😉 – if you need to cut a little tension. You can ask a coworker you know to come with you. The key to asking someone else to come with you is asking either 1) the person who is comfortable initiating conversations with others – because they can help you segue into introducing yourself – since you’re standing there, or 2) if you are shy and do not feel comfortable attending alone, ask someone you may know, but do not typically hang out with. Why? Because if you ask a person you speak to often, you will spend the whole event talking to that person and will have left not making any new connections. I know because I’ve done it 😒 Networking events are a great opportunity to brag about yourself and what you have accomplished as well as what you are currently working on. Due to this current age of technology, many of these events are held virtually which is great as I imagine it is a lot easier to connect with others when you are in a comfortable environment. Contact me if interested in learning more about virtual professional networking events and I can give you a few ideas 💡
Join Professional Clubs: if you are looking for new opportunities, interested in meeting others in your field of work, or even looking to see if others in your field are satisfied with their current employer, joining a professional club will help you find these answers. You may realize that most people in your profession are contracting their services, and making more money, as opposed to working as an employee. You can meet people to collaborate with on large-scale projects. Or you may run into your next organizational leader or someone you want on your team. Maybe you are seeking professional certification. You can find a new study partner or learn tips and tricks from others on the best way to prepare for the big exam. There are multiple benefits to joining an organization of like-minded people. In addition to building life-long relationships.
LinkedIn: I would be remiss in not mentioning this platform. I have made SO many great connections and met some awesome people on LinkedIn. While you do have the occasional personal post, there are many inspiring posts and people who can help you move forward in your career. Sometimes in ways you did not even realize you needed help. You do not always have to engage in a conversation. You can simply Like 👍🏾the post and move on. However, if you are looking to expand your network, I would suggest adding a few lines of sound commentary @theauthor. It helps the author when they know their content is relatable and what type of posts are having more of an impact. It helps you as the commenter build new connections as the author and other post viewers read your comments. It is not a pop quiz. Just note what resonated with you, select the related emoji (Like, Support, Inspiring, etc.), and keep it moving. LinkedIn provides an opportunity for you to meet others in your organization. Connect with people who work with your ideal company. There are tons of courses, how-to videos, and workshops you can attend for little to no money down! (just kidding…but the events are typically a small charge if any charge at all). I started Transform the GAAP less than one year ago, and the connections and awesome people I have met thus far have been amazing, and from literally all over the world. Do not fret if someone else seems to be doing what you are doing. Connect with them. You may be able to learn from each other, work together on your own networking event or masterclass, or just support each other’s causes. A little can go a long way on LinkedIn.
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