Did you know that 70% of jobs in the US are never advertised publicly? This is because 85% are filled via networking rather than traditional hiring methods.
Despite these telling statistics, not everybody loves to network, and far too many neglect this important part of the professional world. There are a variety of reasons for this. Some find it uncomfortable, others time-consuming, some stuffy, and others have just been out of the game too long.
However, building a strong professional network can do wonders for your career and open you up to better opportunities in the future. So it’s crucial that you harness these skills and do what you can to build your network.
The good news is, in 2023 it’s no longer about cold calls or putting in hours of brown-nosing at corporate functions to try and get your name out there.
Instead, there are some much simpler and more effective strategies you can employ to enhance your career and network this year.
1. Start with your closest connections
It might not sound like a ground-breaking strategy, but networking with your closest contacts can help you to get some practice in and feel more confident before you start reaching out to people who aren't so familiar with you. Not only will they make a great stating point, but if you are an experienced professional it’s likely you’ll already be connected with some interesting people who could help you to open doors to some unique opportunities.
Whether in-person or virtually, it pays to start discussions with these people. They might be able to point you in the right direction for new contacts, they might also know of interesting events or even job opportunities that are relevant to you.
2. Utilize online tools and platforms
As technology continues to evolve, there is an increasing number of tools and platforms you can utilize. Connecting with professionals and starting conversations online is a great way to build your network.
LinkedIn is the number one place to network from a professional perceptive. However, you can also use social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and other industry-specific tools.
As part of your social media networking strategy, it’s important that all your profiles are as up-to-date and professional as possible and that these show you in a good light. This includes any bios, descriptions, and images.
You can use these tools to reach out to people directly. If you choose this approach just make sure you tell them why you want to connect with them and even prepare a clear and concise elevator pitch you can share with them if needed.
Alternatively, you can join relevant groups, share interesting content from your industry, and engage in meaningful conversations with your existing network. This will help you to get your name out there and have others start to engage with you online.
Building a strong professional network can do wonders for your career.
3. Attend the right events
Although we previously said that you don’t need to spend hours at corporate events, that doesn’t mean you shouldn't attend any at all. There are lots of genuinely interesting and relevant events you can (and should) go to.
These are a great way for you to meet others in your industry, as well as liaise with recruiters, HR professionals, business owners, and more.
So always be on the lookout for industry-specific events, recruitment drives, conferences, talks, webinars, work summits, and workshops. There are so many options available to you right now, it’s just about finding the events that are going to be most beneficial and interesting to you in 2023.
4. Think outside your own country
A key strategy for building your network in 2023 is going to be connecting with those outside your country and building an international network. As remote work and freelance roles grow in popularity, you don’t need to be restricted by borders.
There are lots of places online where you can connect with professionals or businesses in your field from around the globe. You can also join social media groups and virtual workshops to increase your network on an international scale.
This will present you with more opportunities for growth and success, whilst also sharpening useful transferable skills, as you connect with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and time zones.
5. Focus on quality over quantity
Finally, focus on quality rather than quantity. Sure, you could go onto LinkedIn and connect with 100 people in 10 minutes, but unless they are all relevant to your industry, business, or profession, this won’t help you.
So instead, it’s better to focus on creating fewer, but more genuine connections rather than just focus on quantity.
The same applies to attending events, you can’t expect to speak to everyone and meet loads of new people. It’s better to have three to five good conversations that will help others to remember you, than it is to spread yourself thin, going around shaking hands with everyone you meet but not having any meaningful conversations at all.
By utilizing some, or possibly even all, of these strategies, you can build a stronger (not to mention international) network. This will open you up to plenty of career opportunities, with 85% of vacancies being filled via networking, as well as help you build truly meaningful professional connections.
