Growing Your Network by Getting Involved
From your professional life to your personal life, networking is important and necessary. As the saying goes, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
Professionally speaking, building a strong network now could land you a job down the road. From a personal standpoint, being connected is helpful when you find yourself in a new city or an environment away from your traditional friend circle.
Either way, you will benefit from growing your network. It’s always good to challenge the way you think by being around new people. But how do you meet these new people? By getting involved. Here is how to do it.
Find a Group
Whether it is a large organization or a small group, seek out one that shares a common interest with you. For example, if you’re a student, join clubs and extra-curricular organizations that focus on things you enjoy or offer opportunities for you to grow, personally.
If you’ve already graduated, think about attending a happy hour hosted by your university’s alumni group. Next, research ways to volunteer in your community or other groups that would give you an outlet to meet people outside of your workplace.
Make it More Than One
Growing your network calls for getting connected in several ways…but be careful to not join too many. As a working professional, start with two organizations or groups: one related to your alma mater and one that revolves around a hobby or interest of yours.
For a student, focus on two or three: one organization relating to your major or field of interest, one related to a hobby, and one related to building your leadership skills and opportunities.
You can always add more but starting with two allows you to really dive deep into building relationships and grants time to network within the organizations.
Form Relationships
Now that you’ve joined a group (or two), try getting to know people within those groups on a one-on-one basis. After each of your group’s meetings, make a point to ask one person to connect with you at a later date for lunch, coffee, or anything else that comes to mind.
The key is to: a) ASK b) get their contact info and c) set a date or time while at the event. Start establishing real relationships with the people in these circles and slowly your network will expand.
Growing your network takes more than having a sleek LinkedIn profile. It takes some legwork out in the field where you build face to face connections, but with these tips, we’re positive you’ll be well on your way to building a strong support group.
