Opportunity

Networking is good for your career growth, serves as an avenue to create long-term relationships with mutual benefits, and is not only about trading information. The importance of the saying “no man is an island” has been proved to be the reason why many of us need to make a collective effort in the bid to achieve professional success. There is no denying the power a strong professional network can have over your career success. When it is done well, networking will not only help you land a job faster, but it will give you a competitive edge throughout every stage of your career. Many individuals who succeeded in their careers, the causes have largely been attributed to the strong networking channels they have created over time.But, the question of who you network with and their relevance to your career matters more. This article will tell us some reasons why networking should be an essential aspect if you truly want to build your career, and what you can do to improve your networking skills throughout your career development. What is Networking? Networking is not merely the exchange of information with others, and it is certainly not about begging for favours. favouring is about establishing, building and nurturing long-term mutually beneficial relationships with the people you meet. Why Networking is Important to Your Success Experts agree that the most connected people are often the most successful. When you invest in your relationships, professional and personal, it can pay you back in dividends throughout your career. Networking is essential since it will help you develop and improve your skill set, stay on top of the latest trends in your industry, keep a pulse on the job market, meet prospective mentors, partners and clients, and gain access to the necessary resources that will foster your career development. 1. An Avenue to Exchange Ideas You never can tell how much you know without listening to other people. Success in a career is largely attributed to the pool of information or ideas you have garnered over the past. When networks have been created, they foster ideas to sustain long-term relationships and mutual trust. When you are receiving ideas, it helps both in your place of work and out, in addition to instilling best practices that soothe your career. 2. It Makes You Noticeable Individuals who want publicity either for business, politics, or even fame leverage more on networking. People quickly notice others that have stronger capabilities to make them relevant. When you stand out both your expertise and the services you offer, it creates room for partnership which in turn builds a career. Many professionals have been able to understand how to nurture their networking strength and create more visibility for different associates and clients in their career paths. 3. Avenue for New Opportunities When people start noticing you, it opens the door for new opportunities. Business and career individuals who have networked over the time have been able to expand with minimal effort because of the avenue of new opportunities opened to them through networking. Opportunities like meeting the right clients or even meeting people who are superior to your career path could be a stepping stone that could change your life for the better. 4. Support from High Profiles Individuals Everybody has one way or the other passed through some hurdles in their career development. This can be a result of lack of financial aid or other cogent reasons. However, good networking with high profiles from the same career path can serve as support whenever there is any eventuality at any time. These high-profile individuals can help you manage your challenges effectively by either giving you advice or linking you to the right financial support. 5. Growth in Status Developing your career status is a long-term process depending on how you focus on your networking path. Top career individuals who are where they are today are a result of the status they have grown in networking. The contacts you keep are largely attributed to your growth. They largely influence growth in your status and pave the way for better opportunities in your career. Your connections are powerful. 6. Develop Long-lasting Relationships If networking is a mutual relationship, then having the right networking channel can help build your career. Though networking might not be an easy and fast approach to building a long-lasting relationship. But making it a two-way process of giving and taking, can open the door for a firmer relationship. People who have made networking their priority have been able to build careers relevant to their set goals. Read Also: Strategies to Build A Successful Career. Part 1   How to Become An Effective Networker The importance of networking cannot be overstated. But how can you improve your networking skills to ensure you are networking efficiently and effectively? These networking tips will help: 1. Figure out what networking style works best for you There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to networking. People use different networking tactics. The important thing is to try different networking strategies to discover what best suits you. E.g. if you are networking and you are an introvert, you may prefer to network one-on-one or to attend more intimate events with fewer attendees. Once you have discovered your ideal networking style, consider where you can go to meet the right people who can help you achieve your current career development goals. 2. Network outside the box Look for opportunities to network strategically in every facet of your life. Deena Baikowitz, Chief Networking Officer and Co-founder of Fireball Network, suggests choosing networking events and organizations that matter to you. “Start where you are motivated to meet new people with common professional or personal interests,” Baikowitz advises. Think about what you are passionate about and the types of people with whom you are most comfortable. This could be networking with your alma mater’s local chapter, a community organization etc. , Baikowitz also suggests volunteering to find … Read more