Building and maintaining a network is time-consuming and not as easy as it sounds. How do you network properly?
That’s why a good network is important for your career
Professional networks can advance your career. It is therefore particularly important for those starting out in their careers to build one, because networks are the famous vitamin B. Christel Habig, site manager of Zalando Mönchengladbach, described the importance of a network in a presentation at an xxcellence career meeting as follows: “I am convinced that around 70 percent of all managerial jobs come about through relationships – and they are all better paid than the 30 percent that are filled without vitamin B.”
However, networking is not just about climbing the career ladder with the help of vitamin B. A network enables the exchange of knowledge and inspiration and opens up the potential for partnerships and collaborations. It can also be a source of support – exchanging favors.
The 70-20-10 rule – give more than you take
For active networking, it is essential that personal concerns are put aside for the time being. Because networking is about give and take, with giving being the far bigger part. The social media consultant Mike Sansone created the well-known 70-20-10 rule. It says that when networking, you should use 70 percent of your time to help others, 20 percent to market yourself and ten percent to enlist the help of others. Giving is the biggest part because it builds the necessary trust.
These people should be part of the network
For many people, the initial question is where and with whom should I network? In an interview with Spiegel, the author of the “Network Bible”, Tijen Onaran, advises you to first take a look at yourself. “What skills and talents can you bring to the table? What makes you interesting for others?” According to Onaran, you should find a few contacts in the respective areas of interest to match your answers; these should then serve as multipliers. Then you have to ask yourself what you want to achieve with this network. Do you want to pursue a career in your current company or change companies? Start your own business or look for a business partner? Depending on the answer, the focus when networking is more on internal or external contacts, recommends Onaran. Tijen Onaran also advises keeping the network diverse.
This is how online networking works
Online networking is a good way to make contacts, especially for introverted personalities. The career platforms Xing and LinkedIn are popular business portals on which you can build a network. Network coaching Monika Scheddin takes the approach that mass contacts in particular can be easily maintained via social media such as LinkedIn. However, she has a rule of thumb: “Class contacts” should be maintained on a personal level, so you should exchange ideas “real” and not just “virtually” at least twice a year. According to Scheddin, once by phone and once at a meeting.
Make contact personally – this is how it works
More effort is required when making personal contacts. Ute Blindert, a network author, aptly says in an interview with absolventa: “Networking is communication.” In order to get to know people within the company, internal company events such as the Christmas party, company sports or shared lunch breaks are ideal. For external contacts, trade fairs, further training, industry get-togethers, membership in professional associations, workshops, conferences and much more are worthwhile. Onaran recommends going to these events alone. This increases the potential to meet new people. But be careful – in an interview with Business Punk, Scheddin advises against going to designated networking events. Because there would only be people who want to network in the same position as yours, but not the people they want to meet. She says: “It’s important that you network with people who are where you want to be.”
This makes the conversation productive
Before you enter an event and start talking, you should be clear about what you want to have achieved at the end of the evening. In the interview itself, your speaking share should be less than 50 percent, says Scheddin. Nevertheless, she recommends that you take the space in the conversation to present yourself. If the conversation becomes boring, it’s better to point out that you unfortunately have to move on rather than saying you’ll get something to drink and then not come back, Onaran told SPIEGEL.
This is the best way to maintain contact
In order to establish a meaningful second contact or maintain contact, both the Handelsblatt and Onaran recommend picking up previous conversation topics instead of empty birthday wishes or a “nice to meet you.” This can be an article or useful information for the other person.
Marie-Sophie Steinbach, editorial team at finanzen.net
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