Six Networking Tips To Advance Your Career
How will someone headhunt you, if they don't even know about you?
Who you know might matter more than what you know.
Uncomfortable statement, ey? Or encouraging? As a former chess olympian and computer science dork from MIT, networking doesn't come naturally to me.
In my last job, I naively told myself, "if I put my head down and focus on this current job, that'll be the best spring board for future opportunities." I even turned down opportunities to speak at fancy conferences.
Being in the Stanford MBA program has been a wake-up call:
How will someone headhunt you, if they don't even know about you?
Your ability to get in touch with someone you've never met increases with the size of your network, because a warm intro from someone else can make or break it
You create value for others by facilitating win-win connections between people you know
Recently, I started reaching out shamelessly. It's given me two C-level job offers and a bunch of interesting conversations.
Six networking tips to advance your career
1. Reframe how you think about networking to get past any mental hurdles
Does "networking" sound icky to you? It did for me until recently. And if someone's using their network in win-lose ways, it is icky.
But you can also network to help others. If you're a high-performer, many leaders will want to get to know you because you'd be a great hire. If you have a formidable startup idea, you help out venture capitalists by giving them an opportunity to invest.
Networking done right is win-win.
2. Plan who to connect with
"Who are the 5 most important people to achieving your dreams and goals this year? And what are your relationships with them?" asks Keith Ferrazzi, author of Never Eat Alone.
This means we must first articulate our dreams and goals. Get a promotion at our job? Bring in new clients? Transition into a new field?
Then forge relationships with people who can help you achieve those goals. It sounds cynical, perhaps. But "choosing to have a great relationship with someone is not fake. It's purposeful," says Ferrazzi. I agree.
3. Practice asking for help
You're much more likely to get through with an introduction from a mutual friend, than if you reach out cold. When friends ask if I can help someone they know with university applications, I'm always happy to. When strangers ask, I rarely help.
Ask someone for help to introduce you. It can be uncomfortable, I know. We worry about taking people's time, and asking for more than we're giving them.
Know then that asking for help can strengthen the relationship with the helper.
4. Strive to be helpful
How can you help others, and especially the person you want to connect with? For example, could you:
Offer ideas?
Feedback on their website?
An interesting perspective on their industry?
A podcast relevant to them?
Connect them to someone else?
If they're founders, could you connect them to talent, investors, or potential customers?
Do work for them?
If I really wanted a job and couldn't get the interest of the hiring manager, what would I do? I'd spend a few days doing quality work for free for them. Then send it to them and ask if they'd want more of it (aka, hire me).
Being helpful is how you make it win-win.
5. Make the other person feel good
Lean into flattery, don't shy away from it. Provided that your flattery is genuine.
What do you admire about the other person? What parts of their work have you most appreciated? Let them know.
And the more specific your compliments, the better. "You're awesome" doesn't cut it.
6. Create a reason to reach out
Laura Chau, a general partner at the venture capital firm Caanan Partners, started a podcast as a reason to reach out to senior women and talk for an hour.
When she asked to interview very senior women, they often said yes, because they got the benefit of publicity. The podcast also helped build her brand as a skilled investor in the consumer products space.
Are there other reasons you could use? Interview for an article you're writing? Or for a report on a given industry?
What tips do you want more of? |
Until next time 🚀- Kat