Let's face it - for most people, the idea of introducing yourself to strangers isn't very appealing. So, if you're not a social butterfly, it can be hard to force yourself to try networking. But the thing is, networking is really good for your career. You can share ideas with professionals in your field, develop new skills and even find new job opportunities.
In this article, we'll teach you why networking is so important to your career and give you tips on how to network better. Read more to learn:
- What is networking?
- 5 Reasons Why Networking Is Important For Your Career
- 15 Statistics That Show Why Networks Matter
- 6 tips for networking
And more! So let's jump right in.
What is networking? Networking (also known as professional networking) refers to creating mutually beneficial connections with other professionals in the field. Although networking offers many benefits, including increased confidence and creative intelligence, most people engage in networking to advance their careers.
Essentially, this differentiates networking from just meeting new people – the goal is to create a meaningful connection that helps both parties advance their careers.
You should also know that there are three types of professional networks:
- Functional networking means developing relationships within the organization, or in other words, creating closer ties with colleagues.
- Personal networking defines what most people mean when they use the term "networking" - meeting other industry professionals working in different organizations with the goal of improving your career.
- A strategic network basically combines the two aforementioned network types.
5 Reasons Why Networking Is Important For Your Career
Without further ado, here are 5 reasons why networking is important to your career:
#1. Build your reputation
One of the main reasons why networking is important is that it helps build a reputation. Networking will help you establish yourself as a reliable, supportive, considerate and knowledgeable professional in your field.
If you do it right, people will eventually think of you as an expert in the field. Not to mention, building a strong reputation can help you attract more career opportunities, such as job offers and business partnerships.
Here are two often overlooked networking tips to help you build a strong reputation:
- Listen: Active listening can help you appear engaged, respectful and dedicated. In addition, it is very likely that people will be more willing to listen to your advice, stories and ideas if they feel that they have been heard.
- Offer to help: Instead of focusing on your own gain, make it a priority to share tips and tricks with others. By offering your expertise and know-how, you can build a reputation as a reliable and competent person.
#2. Makes you stand out
Regular networking will help get your face in front of hundreds of people. As such, increased visibility is another reason why networking is important.
Essentially, the more your network expands, the more people will be aware of what you have to offer and what you're looking for. So whether you're a business owner or someone looking for work, raising your profile can open doors to new business and career opportunities.
If you want people to not only notice you, but also remember you, learning other people's names is a good trick. People often don't mind memorizing names—especially when meeting dozens of new people (like speed networking events).
However, referring to people by their names makes your conversations more personal and authentic. Not to mention, calling people by their name makes them feel more important, which makes for a great first impression.
#3. Strengthen your support network
Without a doubt, one of the main reasons why networking is important is that it allows you to build a strong support network.
Sooner or later, most people face problems at work or general dissatisfaction with their work. These problems can range from solving a problem at work that you just can't wrap your head around, to losing your job, to burnout and everything in between.
The key to effectively eliminating these difficult parts of your career is to build a support network, and there's no better way to do that than networking.
For example, if you've just been laid off, your connections can direct you to companies in your industry that are hiring. On the other hand, if you feel stuck on a task, there may be someone in your network who knows exactly how to help you. One thing is for sure - whatever the challenge, it is much easier to overcome it when other professionals support you.
#4. Promotes Business Growth
If you are an entrepreneur, perhaps the most important reason why networking is important to you is that networking facilitates the growth of your business.
Here are five top ways networking can help you grow your business.
- Raise awareness: Whether you are a freelancer or a business owner, networking is an effective way to inform others about your products and services. If you want to introduce your product to a larger audience, consider attending a trade show.
- Expand your customer base: The formula for growing your customer base is simple - the more people know about your product, the more likely they will buy it. In addition, if your customers are satisfied with your products or services, they are more likely to recommend them to others.
- Allows you to stay on trend: The business world is changing rapidly, so it can be difficult for you to keep up. Fortunately, networking makes it easy to stay abreast of the latest trends and innovations in the industry. Attending conferences and other networking events is especially helpful if you want to learn new things about the field.
- Helps you improve your product: By connecting with other professionals and business owners through networking, you can learn what worked for them and what didn't, get advice and feedback. Not to mention, networking also gives you the opportunity to connect with industry leaders who, if you're lucky, can offer you guidance.
- Allows you to know your competition. Networking helps you stand out from the competition, which is crucial to staying ahead of the competition. For example, if your competitor introduces a new product while networking, it gives you an opportunity to see gaps in their product that you could fill with your own.
#5. Features industry leaders
Let's face it, finding experienced professionals, industry leaders, and other influential people in your field can be difficult, especially if you're just starting out in your career. However, networking can help you connect with important people.
Typically, professionals in your network will naturally introduce you to other experienced professionals in the field. However, if your current network is small and you have not yet made effective connections, consider attending professional conferences where you can meet industry leaders.
If you're brave enough, try striking up a conversation with the headliner you're interested in after his talk.
They will probably be happy to answer your questions. If you're lucky, this type of connection can also lead to a mentorship opportunity.
In other words, networking can help you meet industry experts that you wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to meet, which is another very important reason why networking is important.
15 Statistics That Show Why Networks Matter
Figures are undoubtedly one of the most powerful ways to illustrate why networking is important.
Here are 15 striking internet statistics that prove the value of networking:
- Networks account for 85% of jobs. Source: HubSpot
- Seven of the ten vacant positions are not publicly advertised. Source: CNBC
- 70% of people say that networking helped them find their current job. Source: PayScale
- Although less than 50% of people maintain their professional network, 80% believe that networking boosts career growth. Source: LinkedIn
- Almost 90% of professionals consider networking important for their career development. Source: GrowMap
- 23% of job seekers rely on networking to find work. Source: Chakir
- 35% of people find career opportunities through their friends. Source: Jobvite
- Almost 70% of event planners find new clients through networking. Source: Event Manager Blog
- Almost every second freelancer finds job opportunities through family and friends. Source: Fit Small Business
- The network usually provides job seekers with higher quality job offers, including higher salary offers. Source: St. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
- One in four professionals worldwide have created new business partnerships by networking on LinkedIn. Source: LinkedIn
- Networks offer almost equal opportunities for women and men to find a job, which is 26% for women and 25% for men. Source: Clutch
- Employees are generally more satisfied with work done through networks than through other sources. Source: St. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
- 35% of people say that a casual conversation on LinkedIn has led to new career opportunities. Source: LinkedIn
- 95% of professionals believe that a personal network is crucial to maintaining long-term business relationships. Source: Harvard Business Review
6 tips for Networking
If you want to master the art of networking, follow these six foolproof networking tips.
- Connect with the right people:
If you want your networking to pay off, you need to be strategic. Therefore, instead of just anyone, reach out to people who can help you achieve your professional goals. For example, if you want to change careers, focus on making connections with people who work in the field that interests you. - Create mutually beneficial relationships: If you want your professional network to help you when needed, focus on building mutually beneficial relationships. Otherwise, people in your network may feel that you are only using them for your own benefit.
- Maintain your network:
Professional relationships are no different from personal relationships – if you don't try, they can fail. Be sure to stay in touch with your professional network to build strong, long-lasting relationships. In most cases, writing a short email or sending a message on LinkedIn is enough. - Increase your online presence:
Today, most people communicate on LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media. That's why you want to make sure your social media profiles are up to date. Not to mention, 70% of employers review and rate applicants' social media pages, so you want to keep them professional as well. - Attend online events:
Networking events are great if you want to expand your professional network, improve your networking skills, and keep up with the latest trends in your field. If there are no in-person networking events around you, consider attending webinars and other virtual networking events. - Arrive early:
It's much easier to approach people before they gather in groups, so try to get there early to network.
Conclusion
And that's it - now you know all the top reasons why networking is important AND you have the statistics to prove it. Plus, you now know the most effective tips to help you communicate quickly!
Before we continue, let's review the main points of this article:
- Simply put, networking means making connections with other professionals.
- Networking should always be a win-win.
- The reasons why networking is important include better reputation, better exposure, stronger support network, better business growth and more influential connections.
- Statistics show that apart from finding new clients and boosting career growth, the main reason for networking is that it opens up new job opportunities.
- Network, make sure you have an online presence, keep in touch with your network and attend online events regularly.