Professional Networking: Tips to building connections and opportunities

It may seem old school, especially in a world where digital connections are so prevalent, but building a strong professional network is essential for career growth and success. Networking allows you to connect with like-minded individuals, gain valuable insights, share your own knowledge and open doors to new opportunities. Whether you're a recent graduate or an experienced professional, mastering the art of networking is a key tool to support your career journey.

I personally find that in-person networking events are more valuable. Not only is it an opportunity to get out of the house/office, it's a lot easier to engage with others, talk to many interesting people, invest in individual or group connections and truly showcase yourself. That's not to say digital networking events aren't valuable - the experiences will be different but you can still learn and connect with others.

It can be daunting going to an event filled with amazing and powerful professionals - whether you're a newbie to the scene or a seasoned pro. So let's look at some valuable tips to help you nail your next networking event.

1. Be prepared: There's a few things you can do to prep before an event. If possible, check the attendee list and take the time to research the attendees and the industry, identifying potential connections. To help with discussions, prepare some notes to highlight your skills, experiences, and career goals, as well as some open-ended question's you can ask others. I also like to identify and research the organisers, so I may introduce myself upon arrival and thank them for setting up the event. Being prepared will boost your confidence and make a lasting impression on others. 2. Be genuine: Networking is not just about exchanging business cards and collecting contacts. It's about building authentic relationships based on trust, meaningful connections and mutual respect. Be genuinely interested in others and their work. Ask open-ended questions and actively listen to their responses. Show empathy, offer support and thank them for their time with you. Remember, networking and communication requires genuine effort, and showing your enthusiasm will leave others with a positive impression.

3. Be visible: It's easy to sit in the corner and wait for others to come to you or even to chat to the colleague you may have attended with. It's important though to be visible and proactive. Put yourself out there and engage with others. Don't forget that quality is more important than quantity, but you do want to make that genuine effort to connect with other wonderful people who are already open to networking. Introduce yourself and use their name (they'll most likely be wearing a name tag), and ask an open-ended question. It's also okay to dismiss yourself to chat to others - just be courteous in doing so. 4. Offer value: Networking is not just about what you can gain; it's also about what you can offer. Be generous with your time, knowledge, and resources. Share relevant articles, books or materials, introduce people to each other (I do this one often), or offer to help with a project. By providing value to others, you establish yourself as a valuable connection and someone worth knowing. 5. Be open to new opportunities: Networking can lead to unexpected opportunities and career advancements, both personally and even on behalf of your current organisation. Be open to exploring new paths, whether it be lateral movements, progression or patnerships. Attend events outside your comfort zone, connect with people from within your industry and in industries of relevance or interest to you, and especially be open to learning from others. Embrace the diversity of perspectives and experiences that networking brings.

6. Follow up: After meeting someone at a networking event, make sure to follow up within a few days. Send a personalised email or connect on LinkedIn, mentioning something specific from your conversation. This shows that you value the connection and are interested in maintaining it. Follow-up is crucial in building and nurturing relationships over time. This step is something that has helped me to build a solid network as I've found if I follow up with interest and make that effort, others who share the same interest will engage back, and these are the people you want an on-going connection with. Building a strong professional network takes time and effort. It's not about the quantity of connections but the quality of relationships. Focus on building meaningful connections, nurturing them over time, and offering value and support to others. By mastering the art of networking, you can create a strong foundation for career growth, learn things you may not have had the opportunity to learn otherwise and open doors to exciting opportunities. So, take pride in yourself and your work, attend those networking events and start building connections that will propel your career forward.