What you need to know about the elements of networking
Telling people to network before the crisis likely conjured images in their minds of a sea of nametag-wearing, business-card-carrying people in a stuffy conference room or hotel ballroom. The coronavirus pandemic changed all that by putting a stop to in-person gatherings and forcing people to get creative to build professional relationships.
Now that we’ve been dealing with this new reality for the better part of a year, it’s a good time to review the foundational elements of networking that will allow you to build meaningful relationships online or in-person.
Dozens of you offered your suggestions on a post I published. While I can’t highlight all of them, http://primeto.blogspot.com
Start with the people you know
Many people think they need to start from scratch when they begin networking. The truth is that the vast majority of people at least have a network they’ve built unintentionally during their lives and careers. Without knowing it, you’ve been passively networking by going to school, going to work, gaining friends, going to a coffee shop each day and doing any of the other countless activities you need to do in your daily life.
Members of that existing network may be able to introduce you to people within your target industry, your target company or elsewhere that may be of value. Contacting your existing network for a phone call, through an email or even over text can start to open doors in your job search and career.
“I have found that the best strategy is to ask your current contacts who they can introduce you to in their network,” wrote Michelle Peranteau, who is a marketing and communications professional. “You expand your own network and gain more eyes and ears in your job hunt.”