Growing your professional network and advancing your career go hand in hand. Many studies and statistics show that a significant number of job seekers manage to find a job through referrals from friends and professional contacts. A whopping 82% of companies use referrals as part of their recruitment strategy and employers found that these referrals yield the best results and the best ROI. Building a professional network is an important tool as the contacts you make today can open up new opportunities tomorrow.
Your professional network can help you unlock opportunities and take you to the next level in your career. By building meaningful relationships and special connections with people in your industry, you can open the doors to new job opportunities, gain valuable insights, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends. You can also tap into other people’s expertise and experience to make better decisions for yourself and your career.
Below, we share five tips for growing your professional network and helping you along your professional journey.
- Optimize Social Media Platforms
Thanks to social media, we can now create and maintain our connections with other professionals conveniently and easily at our desks.
When it comes to professional social networks, LinkedIn is the leader with approximately 900 million users in 200 countries. Chances are, most of your colleagues and former managers, as well as recruiters and potential employers, have a LinkedIn account. Creating your profile is therefore extremely important. Another great way to grow your professional network on LinkedIn is to use tools that help automate all your activities on this social network.
For instance, LinkedIn bots can automate the process of finding and connecting with potential contacts, as well as sending out personalized messages to them. With the help of technology, these bots can understand your needs and provide tailored recommendations on who you should connect with. Furthermore, they can also track your progress and provide insights on how to optimize your outreach efforts. In short, LinkedIn bots make it easier for you to build strong relationships with other professionals in your field and expand your professional network.
- Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
You may not see Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as platforms where you can make professional connections but this is a mistake. These platforms fulfill important functions if they’re used in the right way.
Keep in mind that creating a professional network is not just about finding jobs and making connections with people who can help you advance in your career. It’s also about making good and genuine connections with people that aren’t necessarily linked to immediate employment.
- Attend Networking Events
Networking is an essential part of career advancement and can be a great way to build relationships with potential employers, mentors, and colleagues. Attending networking events is an excellent way to meet new people in your field and make valuable and lasting connections.
It provides an opportunity to learn about different industries, gain insight from experts, meet key players, and develop relationships that can help you reach your career goals. With the right preparation and attitude, attending online or in-person networking events can help you take your career to the next level.
- Pay Attention to Potential Contacts Outside Of Work
The best contacts you have are the ones you know are on your side and want you to succeed. Who are they, if not your friends? Let your friends and acquaintances know what you’re working on and tell them you’re looking for new opportunities.
Don’t ask them for information or references, just tell them who you are and what you do professionally. People generally make better connections with each other when they don’t feel forced.
- Volunteer
By volunteering and engaging in activities that are related to your field of interest, you’ll be able to meet new people and create meaningful relationships. These relationships can help you gain valuable knowledge, resources, and contacts that can be beneficial for advancing your career.
Moreover, volunteering allows you to demonstrate your skills and expertise in a practical setting, allowing potential employers to see how well you can apply what you have learned in the classroom or through other experiences. Additionally, it can give you an edge over other job applicants by showing that you’re willing to go the extra mile for a cause or organization that is important to you.
- Connect with Your Alumni Association
Alumni associations are often overlooked but they can be a great career resource. They host many networking events for members or more general networking. Even if you don’t attend these types of events, a simple conversation with someone who has graduated from the same school can lead to a solid network connection.
Final Thoughts
Growing a professional network doesn’t happen overnight. With a little help, you’ll be able to create a contact list that’s sure to help you get your foot into the door of an organization that you would be more than happy to work for. So, make sure you follow the steps mentioned above if you want to grow your professional network and advance your career.
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