8 Tips To Improve your Job Networking

Networking. We all know it’s the key to success to preserve your career growth. Why else would a banker still moving in banking but different organization flourish?

And yet, despite its necessity to our continual success, most of us are afraid of networking. The word conjures up images of smarmy door-to-door salesmen and industry “mixers” where everyone knows everyone else … except you.

If you’re shy, the very thought of networking can send you running. But even shy people can learn the skills necessary to build and expand their job as well as friends network.

Nowadays, networking comes in two forms:

  • face-to-face, at industry events, conferences, or even on the bus,
  • and online through forums, blogs and social networking sites.

Both online and face-to-face interactions employ the same tactics: you need to find some people who you want to network with and wow them with your charming personality. It’s easier than it sounds. Here are a few tips to help you improve your networking skills:

Don’t Think of it as “Networking”

Part of the fear-factor surrounding networking is the word “networking” itself.

Instead of trying to “network”, why don’t you go out to make a new friend? Why don’t you think of be part of university activity or visiting officemate at the hospital as an opportunity to help someone? When you solve someone’s problem or point him or her toward a useful resource, all in a friendly manner, you’re networking. That’s all there is to it.

Networking isn’t scary. It’s just making friends and helping people.

2. Set Yourself Mini-Challenges

At the beginning of a networking event or an online discussion, give yourself a mini-challenge. Say to yourself “By the time I leave tonight, two people will have asked me for my business card”, or “Before dessert is served, I will have got one person to open up about their web design problems.”

Make sure your challenge is quite small, so it can be completed in an evening, but still a bit of a challenge for you. Try to push the boundaries of your comfort zone. This way, you’ll reach out to people you might normally avoid.

If you attend an event with a friend or colleague, perhaps you could give each other a mini-challenge. Adding this competitive aspect can give you added courage to talk to people.

http://www.sensationaljobs.com/blog/2011/02/8-tips-to-improve-your-networking-skills/