Craft your 30-second elevator pitch (that clearly communicates who you are, and what you do) so you can use it with new contacts. Image: Matej Kastelic/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffResearch suggests anywhere as many as 80% of jobs are filled through networking.
Networking can also be an important factor in a shorter job search.
But how can you exercise your networking muscle?
Here are 10 different areas to focus on as you build your network:
• Networking Foundations
• Building Connections
• Strengthening & Deepening Connections
• Broadening Your Network
• Leveraging Social Media for Networking
• Expanding Beyond Your Comfort Zone
• Offering Value to Your Network
• Going the Extra Mile
• Deepening Relationships
• Reflecting & Reinforcing Your Networking Efforts
Here are a few suggested actions in each of the areas to get you started:
I’m sure you’ll be able to think of more!
Networking Foundations
• Define your networking goals (for example: finding a mentor, a certain number of new LinkedIn connections, five new job opportunities, etc.)
• Set a specific target for the number of people you want to connect with during this challenge
• Craft your 30-second elevator pitch (that clearly communicates who you are, and what you do) so you can use it with new contacts
• Identify your top 3 ideal networking connections
Building Connections
• Send a LinkedIn connection request (with a personalized message) to someone in your industry
• Comment thoughtfully on someone’s LinkedIn post
• Join a LinkedIn group relevant to your profession or industry and introduce yourself
• Ask a colleague to introduce you to someone they know who could help you grow your network
Strengthening & Deepening Connections
• Write a personalized follow-up email to someone you met recently
• Reach out to an influencer in your field and ask for advice on a specific topic
• Share an article or resource with someone in your network
Broadening Your Network
• Attend an event outside your industry to meet people with different perspectives and meet new types of professionals
• Attend a community volunteer event or participate in a charity event to meet new people
• Send a LinkedIn message to a recruiter to inquire about career opportunities
Leveraging Social Media for Networking
• Create a professional bio for your social media profiles that clearly states who you are, and what you do
• Host a LinkedIn Live or Instagram Live session discussing a topic of interest and invite others to join and contribute
• Curate a list of recommended resources (books, podcasts, tools) and share it with your network
• Share a professional accomplishment on LinkedIn and tag people who helped you get there
Expanding Beyond Your Comfort Zone
• Join a meetup group related to an interest you want to explore further
• Reach out to someone who is a few steps ahead of you in your career and ask for advice
• Attend a cross-industry event to expand your networking horizons
Offering Value To Your Network
• Offer to write a testimonial or LinkedIn Recommendation for someone you’ve worked with
• Share a job opportunity that may be a good fit for someone in your network
• Make an introduction between two people who could benefit from each other’s expertise
Going the Extra Mile
• Host a virtual “office hours” session where you answer questions from your network
• Attend a conference and actively network with speakers and attendees
• Send a “just checking in” email to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, even if you don’t need anything from them
• Send a thank you note to someone who has helped or mentored you recently
Deepening Relationships
• Send a “check in” message to someone you haven’t talked to in a while
• Ask a colleague or connection for feedback on a project or presentation
• Invite a connection to a free industry-related event or webinar that could benefit them
• Arrange for a casual coffee chat with someone you’ve recently connected with to get to know them better
Reflecting & Reinforcing Your Networking Efforts
• Review your connections and identify key relationships you want to strengthen
• Review your networking activities and determine which methods were most successful in helping you build meaningful relationships
• Create a list of three action steps to continue improving your networking
• Reflect on the types of people you’re connecting with and whether you’d like to broaden your network even further
• Check in with your key connections to see if there’s any way you can provide further value to them
Remember, the purpose of your network is not to get you a job but rather to build strong relationships to enhance your career through mutually beneficial relationships—whether it leads to a job or not. The time to build your network is NOW so it is there to support you no matter what happens to your career.
Nancy H. Segal is a federal job search expert. Following her own senior-level federal HR career, she founded Solutions for the Workplace LLC to provide a HR management perspective to astute applicants to U.S. government positions.
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