In my career advice piece for Life Reimagined At Work, I cover 3 networking opportunities even smart people overlook:
The best networking is about relationships, and experienced professionals have a natural advantage here: you know a lot of people from your decades in the workplace; and you have the polish that maturity often brings. That said, your networking might be on autopilot. Are you taking full advantage of expanding your reach and creating new interest in engaging with you? Here are 3 often overlooked opportunities to jumpstart your networking:
Brand your email signature
Your email signature is a free marketing platform. At a minimum, it should have your full name and phone number. Job seekers should definitely include a LinkedIn hyperlink, which elegantly attaches your resume without the presumptuousness (or virus potential) of an actual attachment. If you want to do even more, there are special applications, like WiseStamp, Company Sig or My Esig, which allow you to add photo, video, social media buttons and other bells and whistles to your signature. When you have a compelling email signature, even people who know you well will click through and learn more about you. For people who don’t know you well — say someone you reach out to for an exploratory meeting — the comprehensive signature is an easy, inviting way to get to know you that encourages them to meet you.
See also: I’m Too Busy to Network
Use the buddy system at networking events
If you’re intimidated by large group networking in conferences and association meetings, then bring a buddy but not to stay together. Instead, agree to find people on behalf of each other. Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to advocate for someone else? You can gush about your friend’s positive attributes and not feel the least bit inhibited. By implementing this buddy system at networking events, you decrease the pressure and anxiety because you are not trying to sell yourself or find your perfect lead. You are relaxed because your friend is looking out for you, and you are listening much more closely to everyone you meet because you are looking out for your friend. Because you have to tell your friend who you want to be introduced to, this buddy system forces you to know your precise objectives for the event and who would make a good referral to you.
Read more at Life Reimagined At Work: Jump-Start Your Networking Today.
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