Introduction
Networking for success: How to make connections and stay relevant: How do you achieve your dream career move? Well, it’s not by sitting in front of your computer or sending out résumés. You can’t just apply for jobs online and expect results to come rolling in. Doing plenty of other things would be best to ensure your efforts succeed. One strategy that works well is networking: meeting people with the power and connections to help further your career goals (and vice versa). While this can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience at first, once you start connecting and engaging with others regularly, it will become easier over time and ultimately lead to better results. The more contacts you make through networking events or online platforms like LinkedIn, the better off you’ll be when looking for work or trying to move up within an existing company!
Networking is a critical component of working in today’s business world.
Networking is a critical component of working in today’s business world. It’s one of the most valuable skills you can master as a professional.
Networking helps build relationships, which leads to new opportunities and career advancement. It also makes you more visible–a critical factor in getting ahead at work or finding new job opportunities in the first place!
Networking doesn’t just happen; you have to make it happen.
Networking doesn’t just happen, and you have to make it happen. You can’t just expect people to come to you, so you need to go out and meet them. You have to be proactive in building your network.
Let’s look at the big picture here. Networking is just about connecting with other people–and connecting with others can be as simple as asking questions or sharing something interesting that happened recently (or even last week). The key is making those connections personal; if they feel like they’re talking with an actual person instead of some corporate robot who only cares about their company’s bottom line or how much money they can make off them right now, then chances are good that there will be some connection established between both parties involved in this interaction which could lead down other paths such as friendship/partnership/etcetera later down the road when needed most!
Make sure your network is relevant to your career goals and interests.
As you explore your career options and identify your goals, ensuring that the network you’re building is relevant to those goals is essential. The best way for this to happen is by providing that everyone in your professional circle has something in common with both- either by sharing similar interests or directly impacting their advancement. If someone isn’t directly connected with either of these things, they won’t help advance.
It may sound obvious: “What else could I possibly want?” But when discussing networking, there are many different ways to define success. Not all will lead directly toward one another (or even be mutually compatible). For example: if I’m trying my hardest not just because I want money but also because doing so will help others less fortunate than myself, then a friend who’s only interested in making more cash has no place among my connections!
Don’t just focus on your needs; focus on helping others first.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Don’t be afraid to share your knowledge.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for advice.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for a referral or even a job!
Engage with everyone, not just the ones you think are essential.
You don’t have to be friends with everyone, but you need to be cordial.
You don’t have to be friends with everyone, but you need to be cordial.
This sounds like a no-brainer, but sometimes it could be more straightforward. You might think that if someone isn’t your cup of tea (or vice versa), there’s no point in being friendly and polite–but that’s not true! Even if you don’t like someone or their work very much, they can still help advance your career in some way or another. For example: maybe they’re good at networking and could introduce you to other people who might appreciate what it is that makes your work unique; perhaps they have connections that could get your name out there; maybe they happen to be running an event where exposure would benefit both parties involved…etcetera! It doesn’t matter how insignificant something may seem at first glance–it could turn out to be quite valuable down the road when viewed through another lens. So always keep these things in mind before making any decisions regarding whether or not someone deserves half an hour out of your day 🙂
Spend time with people who inspire and challenge you, not those who bring you down.
A good friend once told me, “If a person doesn’t make you stronger and better due to being around them, then they aren’t worth your time.” This advice stuck with me and helped shape my thoughts about my relationships.
I don’t mean to say that all relationships are meant to be equal–some people can be great friends but not necessarily mentors, or vice versa–but it’s essential to recognise the difference between those who inspire us and those who drag us down. We all have our bad days where we feel like giving up on everything; however, if someone consistently makes those feelings worse by constantly complaining or criticising others (or themselves), their negativity will eventually wear off on you too!
Feel free to extend yourself by asking for help when you need it or advice when you’re stuck.
You are not alone. You are not the only person who needs help and advice; you should always be bold and ask for it.
- Feel free to ask for help when you need it or advice when you’re stuck. Don’t be embarrassed about asking your colleagues if they have any suggestions, either; they may have had similar experiences and can offer valuable insight into how to deal with them in the future!
- If someone offers assistance, don’t hesitate–take advantage of their generosity by taking advantage of theirs! Remember that there are plenty of ways to assist one another without being asked directly (for example: volunteering at an organisation whose mission aligns closely with yours).
Focus on building new relationships instead of maintaining old ones that aren’t working well.
When you focus on building new relationships, it’s easier to let go of old ones that aren’t working well anymore. You can do this because you better understand your identity and goals. If the people in your life aren’t helping you achieve those goals, they’re not part of a healthy network for success.
You should also ensure that the people in your network challenge and stretch you. This will help keep them relevant as well!
Networking is a valuable part of any job search or career advancement strategy.
Networking is a valuable part of any job search or career advancement strategy. While “networking” may conjure images of schmoozing at events and shaking hands with strangers, you can also network online and through other means. Networking helps you meet people in your field, learn from them, find jobs, get advice on advancing your career or find out about opportunities that might not be advertised publicly.
It’s important to understand that networking is not a one-time activity; it’s an ongoing process that requires effort and commitment over time–but one that will pay off in helping others.
Bottom Line
Networking for success: how to make connections and stay relevant is the focus of this article. I hope you agree that networking is essential to your career but can also be fun. The best way to get started is by making sure that you are engaging with people who are relevant to your goals and interests. You don’t have to be friends with everyone; make sure there’s no animosity between yourself and others so that when opportunities arise for collaboration or partnership, they won’t be hindered by bad blood between parties involved.”
Who am I?
I am Dotun Adeoye, a Business Growth Strategist & Author
I’ve built up my experience via serial entrepreneurship, consulting leadership roles in business growth, business development and product innovation in large companies worldwide in the last 30 years.
Today, I consult with large businesses on how to sustainably grow their businesses, sustain infinite growth, and ensure business continuity irrespective of the business climate.
Hire Dotun Adeoye to Speak Virtually or In – Person at your company’s event to cover this or other topics. You can also get in touch via +44 203 097 1718 or dotun at dotunadeoye.com
