Network for Success: Build Relationships That Open Doors

Networking is more than just showing up and meeting some people, or sending out an email to someone new. It’s about connecting, exchanging information, and establishing a relationship. According to Hubspot, 85% of jobs are filled solely through networking. Although, when networking, it is essential to be genuine in building relationships. Let’s walk through some ways that networking can help you open doors.

1. The Power of Networking

LinkedIn found some shocking statistics: 70% of professionals hired had a connection at their company and 80% of professionals say that networking was a huge factor in their success. In fact, Reid Hoffman, Co-Founder of LinkedIn, attributes his career to effective networking. Oprah Winfrey, Gabourey Sidibe, Sean Parker, and more all have been able to become successful due to strategic and strong networking skills. Being able to network means you’re tapping into a ‘hidden job market’ that never makes it to job hiring platforms.

2. Developing a Networking Mindset

One way of networking is keeping everything transactional. It means that you only build relationships with people who you know can give you something. This approach can appear fake and can create a fragile relationship. This brings us to a more genuine approach: relational.

A relational approach focuses on building a connection primarily, and emphasizing what you are able to bring to the table. This way also involves showing an investment in their business because you truly believe in it or the values associated with it, instead of just how it benefits you. Authenticity and consistency are both key in networking.

3. In-Person Networking vs. Online Networking

There are advantages and disadvantages of online or in-person networking. Truthfully, one isn’t better than the other, it just depends on how you best interact with others. At the end of the day, consider using both online and in-person networking opportunities to create multi-faceted relationships.

In-Person Networking

In an age where social networking happens predominantly online, it goes without saying that in person networking is still happening and continues to be important. Pros of being in-person include letting your personality do some of the talking, being able to have more free-flowing conversations that aren’t interrupted by waiting to hear back, and meeting people that usually there for the same reasons you are. Some might say that the cons are you can’t delete what you’ve said and that the scope of people to network with is limited to who is around you. It’s best to follow up online with people you’ve networked with in person, to continue a relationship.

Online Networking

The pros of online networking is that you are able to reach a much wider audience, you can better pick and choose who you want to connect with, and you can think out what you’ll write to someone and edit it before it gets sent. There are also cons. Online networking can be limiting in how much you can say at a time, written conversations can be misconstrued, and some people can find this disingenuous. When networking online, it’s important to keep strong personal branding, interact in a wholesome way, and try to attend virtual events as well as interacting on posts. 

4. Turning Networking into Opportunities

Let’s get to the main reason people network: to find opportunities to grow. Whether this means growing your business, or changing your career, sealing the deal when networking is crucial. Planting seeds for crops later on has never hurt anyone, so making sure that you’re providing mentorship when applicable can provide mutual support in your professional growth further down the line. Make sure to recognize new opportunities, and use your own leverage to make those opportunities work for you. 

If someone you meet has a need for an IT consultant, maybe you know someone who knows someone that you can connect them with. You just created a value add. This is when problem-solving becomes handy, and being able to call upon your network to grow your network proves how important networking truly is.

Conclusion & Call-to-Action

All in all, we can agree that networking is vital to career growth. Finding ways to network both online and in person creates stronger relationships. There are some networking opportunities coming up in Indigenous spaces.

The Indigenous Business Group is holding a quarterly Wisconsin Contractors Council to help people make new connections, and grow their businesses and careers. The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association also hosts monthly Lunch and Learn opportunities, as well as bi-annual summits for networking within the cannabis and hemp industries.