“Networking is more about ‘farming’ than it is about ‘hunting’. It’s about cultivating relationships.” – Dr. Ivan Misner
How you expand your network affects your job search, career opportunities, and personal growth. You are cultivating relationships with people all of the time. Networking isn’t about just trying to get something out of someone else.
Increasing your number of connections on LinkedIn is not enough. You want to be engaging in good conversation with people and sharing with each other. Let them know your value, who you are, and what you can contribute to them and their goals.
The true meaning of networking is to build new relationships.
Building a relationship is like constructing a new building. You always start from the bottom, making sure that you have a solid foundation, and then continue adding to it until you reach the top. This solid relationship foundation is critical. The more personal you can be in your relationship with them (meaning moving towards calls, video chats, or in-person meetings rather than just digital messaging) the better. It’s often nice to start with some common ground – common relationship, alumni, local groups, or something else. Then as time passes, brick by brick, your relationship will grow.
Network, network, network, but do it in a way that you are trying to build relationships not just trying to get something out of people.
Always seek first to give rather than to simply take.
See more in the video below!
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