Page 10 - CareerBootCamp-Brochure2016

Use the force:
Network your
way to the top
Tania Seary
Founder, Procurious: the world’s first
procurement network and 2017 Supply
Chain Dive Procurement Influencer of
the Year.
“Networking has to be from the heart.
Be authentic about wanting to meet
and learn from other people.”
Love this article?
Share with your contacts via Procurious! to think of it as a fantastic way to create – and maintain –
Most professionals break into a cold sweat
when they hear the word “networking”, but if it’s
approached intelligently and authentically, it can
open limitless opportunities for boosting your
career.
Shrugging off the old image
People have an aversion to the word “networking”, and in some
ways, I wish there was a different word for it. Networking has a
bad name because of its musty roots in gentleman’s clubs, secret
handshakes and overt corporate ladder-climbing. But, with the
advent of social media, things have changed for the better and
we’re finally able to dispel many of those negative connotations.
To me, networking is something that’s very different. I like
relationships.
Why is networking so important?
Land your next role: Networking is the number one lever for
winning your next role. Through your network, you’ll gain the all- see at a glance information such as where you went to school
important referrals and recommendations required for your next
career move, most often into unadvertised roles.
Not just for business: Networking can be immensely beneficial
in your personal life as well. Creating connections with people
could help you find your next mentor, discover a role-model,
or even make a new friend. It’s not just about the career ladder
– networking for me has demonstrated again and again that
there’s something to learn from everyone you meet.
Boost your career: Making just one connection, with the right
person, can have a multiplier effect – but only if you’re open and understand the different roles and potential benefits of online and
willing to meet further people through that connection. This will
create a snowball effect where your expanding networking will
benefit your career and can be leveraged to help you reach your
goals.
Three ways to become a better networker
Be authentic: Networking has to be from the heart. Be authentic
about wanting to meet and learn from other people. If you are
networking for the wrong reasons, such as having a narrow focus
on trying to get your next job, people in your community will see
through you straight away. Consequently, they won’t be anywhere
near as helpful or engaging.
Instead, approach networking with the belief that you genuinely
want to help others, and not just yourself. The old adage “give is
gain” is very true when it comes to networking.
Pre-qualify your professional network online: Think about
networking as being both social and formal. With the advent of
social networking sites, people do have a concern that online
networking isn’t as authentic as face-to-face networking. The way I
think of it is that online business networks (such as Procurious) give
you an ability to prequalify, or get to know, potential members of
your community or network.
It’s almost like speed-dating. If I were to look you up online, I could
and where you’ve worked – that helps me build the connection by
identifying common ground even before we first make contact.
Before social networks, I would have had to meet with someone
four or five times before we uncovered some basic points we have
in common. Social networks help you identify who you want to
connect with face-to-face.
Don’t neglect face-to-face networking: In my opinion, nothing
will ever replace that all-important face-to-face meeting, where you
sit down with a person and truly get to know them as someone
who you want in your professional network. It’s important to
face-to-face networking.
P8