The power of networking is a major key to success. Some of us do it in our everyday lives and don’t understand the impact that it has on us personally and professionally.
According to the Merriam-Webster, networking is defined as the exchange of information among group of individuals, groups of people or institutions.
Networking provides you with the essential tools of interacting in different groups of people, causing you to be a well-rounded individual as you enter your career. Check out the five top reasons networking is the key to success:
Confidence
By networking regularly, it helps you challenge yourself to interact with people you don’t usually interact with. It also gives you the opportunity to surround yourself with confident people that will help you grow and feel more confident as a person. It is important to break out of your shell and be bold; you never know what opportunities you may gain from boosting your confidence levels.
Job Opportunities
We’ve all heard the saying, “It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know.” This is key to finding the right job. A lot of employers like to hire employees that their current employees know. That one conversation with the Google Account Strategist could be your way in the door after graduation. Networking is a very important tool if you want to be successful; you never know who can help you receive your dream job after school.
Skill Development
Developing strong effective skills in your career is essential. Networking has the ability to connect you to the right resources to help you with the soft skills needed, such as communicating, listening, problem solving and engaging. Networking teaches you how to effectively create and perform a sales pitch. This special skill also helps to enhance your strengths and strengthen your weaknesses.
Shared Knowledge
It’s so important to surround yourself with people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, nationalities and socioeconomic status. The U.S. is becoming more diverse, which means a diverse work environment. When we are able to learn and talk to a wide variety of people, we are able to be well-rounded individuals.
Friendships
Maintaining many connections will help you strengthen your network pool professionally and personally. Meeting and forming friendships can help you to form long lasting connections that will benefit you in the future. Who knows, a simple wave in a line for coffee can cause you to meet your best friend.
Or as I like to say in the hyper-connected, digital age “it’s not what you know or who you know, it’s who knows what you know”.
I’m the author of a recently released book on networking, would love to send you a copy.