 Yes, a New Year is almost upon us, and with it invariably comes New Year’s Resolutions. However, what your career needs next year is NOT resolutions. What it needs is growth, and more effective networking efforts can help it to achieve such growth.
Networking is not exactly an easy endeavor, especially for those who find that it does not come naturally to them. However, there are things that you can do to become better at networking with others, especially face-to-face. (Social networking is fine and dandy, but nothing beats actual human interaction.) Below are four steps for improved networking in the New Year: #1—Shift your focus. It’s human nature to think about the worst-case scenario in any situation. Some people focus on that more than others, and they certainly focus on it more often than the best-case scenario. It’s a simple shift, but not exactly an easy one. Instead of imagining the worst thing that could happen with your networking efforts, think about the best thing that could happen. That leads us to #2 on our list . . . #2—Visualize the outcome. Now that you’re thinking about the best thing that could happen, fully visualize that outcome. Think about what it would be like. Think about how exciting it would be. Think about how happy you would be in that situation. The more you think about such things, the more you’ll want such things to happen and the more you’ll strive toward creating that outcome, without even consciously realizing that you’re doing it. #3—Provide a good (or great) experience. People are intrinsically drawn to those who provide a good experience. They just like being around them, and they remember those people and intentionally seek them out. Once you’ve shifted your focus to a more positive outcome, shift it once again—from you to the other person. What would theylike to gain from this networking interaction? What would be a good experience for them? Provide that experience and reap the benefits. #4—Become comfortable being uncomfortable. At first, you’ll be uncomfortable with your networking efforts. You may even try to flee the situation, since you’re so uncomfortable. Resist that temptation! Over time, what once felt foreign will be almost second nature to you. However, this does not happen right away. It takes time, so be prepared to make that investment. A New Year represents a fresh start, the chance to start over and do things better than you did them during the past 12 months. Better networking is a great place to start. It certainly can’t hurt, and it could help you not only in your present job, but also in your efforts to secure a better employment situation. If you’re currently looking for such a situation, don’t forget to look through our jobs and apply for one online today! Comments are closed.
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