Expand Your Network – Networking is the best way to make genuine connections with people. Going to holiday parties allows you to make new connections and allows others to get to know you beyond your role at the office.
We get it — networking isn’t at the top of everyone’s to-do list. It can be time-consuming, downright awkward on occasion, and — depending on your personality — incredibly draining. When your calendar is already overcrowded with work appointments and family commitments, the last thing you want to do is make small talk with strangers at yet another cocktail party.
However, there’s no denying the power a strong professional network can have over your career success. When it’s done well, networking will not only help you land a job faster, but it will give you a competitive edge throughout every stage of your career. Here’s why networking is important to your success, and what you can do to improve your networking skills throughout the course of your career development.
Join us !!! Guilderland Chamber of Commerces Holiday Mixer @ Lucky Strike Social! Dec 13th 5 to 7 pm ! CLICK HERE To register !
What is networking?
Networking isn’t merely the exchange of information with others — and it’s certainly not about begging for favors. Networking is about establishing and nurturing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with the people you meet, whether you’re waiting to order your morning coffee, participating in an intramural sports league, or attending a work conference. You don’t have to join several professional associations and attend every networking event that comes your way in order to be a successful networker. In fact, if you take your eyes off your smartphone when you’re out in public, you’ll see that networking opportunities are all around you every day.
Why networking is important to your success
Experts agree that the most connected people are often the most successful. When you invest in your relationships — professional and personal — it can pay you back in dividends throughout the course of your career. Networking will help you develop and improve your skill set, stay on top of the latest trends in your industry, keep a pulse on the job market, meet prospective mentors, partners, and clients, and gain access to the necessary resources that will foster your career development.