Preparing for Networking
• [ no obj. ] (often as noun networking) interact with other people to exchange information and develop contacts, especially to further one’s career: the skills of networking, bargaining, and negotiation.
Dictionary
Okay, so I mentioned I had a fear around talking with other people, particularly strangers. I will also mention that networking is a word I have heard of multiple times in my post-secondary career, but it is rare that I am in an environment where such is the case. This weekend I will be taking the ferry and participating at the French Festival of Maillardville! Before I bombard this post with their promotional flyers, let us get down to the tips and tricks that I have curated from my google search!
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know…
My father
My father always stressed to me the importance of building relationships with those around you, near and far. While you are travelling or waiting in the grocery line. It is important to remain open to the opportunities and possibilities of networking to create partnerships. This is especially important in the community when working for non-profit organizations or community centers.
We are most familiar with the cause networking at a social event, where everyone hands out their personalized business cards in an effort to “get the name out there”. I was interested to see a specific branch of networking, but for community development!
I liked this blog which does an overview of the what and why of networking!
Kangan Institute presents its readers with a list!
- Meet people through other people
- Leverage social media
- Don’t ask for a job
- Use your resume as a tool for advice
- Don’t take up too much time
- Let the other person speak
- Present a success story
- Ask for suggetsoins on how to expland your network
- Find a reason to follow up
- Always remember to say thank you
- Online presence (this one kind of bothers me, I don’t think it should change anything!)
Visible Network Labs provides us with another list, this one geared more toward networking with community partners:
- Reconsider if using a “more is better” strategy
- Budget your relationships to reach your goals
- Build holes in your network (structural and intentional gaps between partners)
- Give each partner a specific role to play
- Consider all the kinds of value a partner can provide
- More diversity leads to more opportunities
- Put in the investment needed to build
