Networking is an important part of any job search strategy. It can be key to learning more about the organizations and people you want to work with, finding out about job openings and meeting the people who make hiring decisions. However, networking isn’t just something you should do when you are in the market for a new job. Maintaining a network can help advance your career in many ways, for example, forging new funding and partnership opportunities or sharing resources and expertise. If you only rely on your network when you need a job, you are missing out on many of the benefits and will likely turn off those who think you are only in it for yourself.
Here are six tips for becoming a networking master.
Networking is about building relationships with people who can help you and who you can help. Like all relationships, it takes work. So don’t expect to ask someone for a job the first time you meet. Networking isn’t just about meeting new people, either. You should also consider people within your existing network of contacts, perhaps former colleagues or old classmates who work in the sector and could be worth reaching out to.