![]() It’s not surprising that online networking is experiencing a boom - particularly with Gen Z, 67% of whom believe it’s no longer necessary to meet in person to make a meaningful professional connection. “Remember that people you start networking with now might end up running the company you want to work at one day.” Take a hybrid approach. ![]() “The earlier you can build these relationships, the easier it is to draw on your network over time,” Pip Jamieson, founder of professional networking site The Dots, told me. Think of networking as an investment that will compound over time. This is likely something you’re already doing, for example, when you start a new job and introduce yourself to your colleagues or when you attend a career fair and meet someone new. It’s also important to remember that you and your peers are tomorrow’s leaders, and so it pays to build your network among people your own age, too. Getting a sense of what they do on a day-to-day basis can help you work out how you want to progress in your own career.” “They’re more likely to have time to engage. “Talking to people who are just one or two steps ahead of you career-wise is a really good call,” Sachs added. We tend to assume that we should be networking with industry leaders and senior managers within our desired field, but sometimes, it’s more effective to look closer to home. “Anyone who has ever asked a fellow student to support them, or asked for advice from someone about their career - that’s all part of networking,” Sachs told me. That can happen between coworkers, peers, family members, or friends. Isabel Sachs, founder of the award-winning mentorship platform I Like Networking, is of the opinion that networking is not much more than informal exchanges of information between people. Consider the ways you’re connecting with other professionals right now. Don’t think of a network as something you need to build from scratch. The first step is demystifying your idea of networking. Realize you’ re probably already networking. If you’re just starting out and looking for fun and easy ways to build out your network, here are a few ways to begin. Once you start thinking outside the box about who you want to meet, how you want to interact with them, and why, a world of possibilities and potential may open. For this article, I also reached out to some other industry experts to get their top tips on networking outside of LinkedIn.īeyond finding a job and gaining a leg up in the competitive market, networking can open your mind to ideas and paths you’d otherwise have never explored. In fact, through my work, I’ve seen people make career-changing connections while actually enjoying themselves. In my role as mentor and guest lecturer at the University of the Arts London, I’ve helped young professionals across the UK find creative ways to bring energy back into this famously tedious task. Networking doesn’t have to be so laborious. On LinkedIn, where do you even begin? In person, how do you zero-in on what to attend and who to socialize with once you’re there? When they hear the phrase, many people think of two options: LinkedIn and big in-person events (both of which are equally daunting). When you’re new to the workforce, networking can feel impenetrable. As someone new to the workforce, this can work in your favor by giving you an easy and casual way to share, comment, like, and connect with peers and others in your field. You don’t need an extensive job history or fancy resume to stand out. Get creative with Instagram: Instagram is a more accessible platform than LinkedIn - anyone can build a prolific profile.If you have specific hobbies or interests, consider joining an organization or volunteer program. Think about the things you enjoy outside of work, too, and find ways to build your network through these avenues. Look for like-minded people: To stay consistent, try to integrate networking into your schedule.Also consider smaller, face-to-face events and meetings when possible. Take a hybrid approach: Consider attending free online talks and events aimed at people starting their careers and make use of interactive chat features to share your contact details with people you’d like to stay connected with.Asking a peer for advice or a fellow student to help with a project - that’s all networking. Realize you’re probably already networking: Don’t think of a network as something you need to build from scratch.If you’re just starting out and looking for fun and easy ways to build out your network, here are a few ways to begin outside of attending an overcrowded conference or sticking solely to LinkedIn. Beyond finding a job and gaining a leg up in the competitive market, networking can open your mind to ideas and paths you’d otherwise have never explored.
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