Now that you know how to make a good first impression and maintain your network, comes the final post in this series – leveraging your network for mutually-beneficial gains. Everyone you meet has a unique skillset, and come with their own set of experiences and backgrounds. Accordingly, any connection has the ability to teach you something new; whether that be technical, personal or professional. Approaching your network with a mindset of helping both sides achieve their respective goals is the best way to develop strong, sustainable relationships.
Would you like to be my mentor….?
As I’ll be exploring in my next series of posts, mentoring is one of the most important activities you’ll engage in over your career. Learning from those who’ve been where you are to jump-start your own learning is one of the most effective ways of developing yourself. Mentoring is a fantastic way for both parties to develop themselves – while the benefit for the mentee is obvious, the benefit for the mentor comes in the form of self-reflection, and crystallising their own experiences in a way which can be easily communicated to others.
Mentoring is a fantastic way for both parties to develop themselves
….or I can be yours, too
A trend picking up steam in recent times is the concept of reverse mentoring. With the realisation that Gen Y is one of the most tech-savvy in the workforce, many organisations are rolling out reverse mentoring programs. These programs are designed to help senior executives increase their social savvy, and upskill for the digital economy. With a strong focus on teaching the effective use of digital technology and social media to the seniors, reverse mentoring offers traditionally junior staff the ability to network with people they wouldn’t generally meet – with the opportunity of leveraging these new connections down the track.
Gen Y is one of the most tech-savvy in the workforce
Hey, could you connect me to….
People know people. As you move along in your career, it is likely that you will be working with a wide variety of people from all walks of life, and wanting to work with many others. One of the most common ways of leveraging the network you’ve cultivated over the years is to ask for connections to people you are interested in connecting with. This relies on the concept of social proof – if someone I know connects me to you, I will place more faith in this connection than a cold call.
….But don’t abuse it
Asking for a connection to a third party, or receiving an unsolicited connection, places a burden on the shoulders of the connector. As you are placing your faith on the strength of the connection between the connector and the third party, any subsequent interactions carry with them the ability to influence your perception of the connector – a positive result will generate goodwill for the connector, while a negative one may result in a weakening of your own relationship with them. Accordingly, be conscious of the quality of the relationship all three parties have with each other – if weak, is there possibly a better way to get connected?
Additionally, asking for an excessive number of connections (without reciprocating) may bring about negative feelings on the part of the connector, especially if made to feel that yours is a one-sided relationship, rather than one of equals and mutual benefit.
Asking for excessive connections….[may make it feel like] a one-sided relationship
Would you like to work here?
When job hunting, it is common that people feel the need for leveraging their network to seek opportunities, and understand what roles fit with their profile. It is widely accepted that companies prefer referrals to normal applicants (often by up to as much as 40%) – that is why there are often generous referral incentive programs to help attract top quality talent. Keeping a look-out for job opportunities you are interested in at companies where you have a pre-existing network (strong or weak connections; both) is an extremely effective strategy while looking. Additionally, given the bonuses many companies offer to their employees for recruiting, it may be useful to ask your extended network to keep a lookout on your behalf.
Ask your extended network to keep a lookout on your behalf
But there’s one more thing….
Throughout this series of blog posts, I have focused on the importance of building sustainable, mutually beneficial relationships (both from the first meeting and when maintaining your network). No one likes to be made to feel like they’re being used – which is why it is important to show your gratitude towards those who have been genuinely helpful. Whether a hand-written note, a bottle of wine or a Christmas card, showing people they’re valued is extremely important.
It is important to show your gratitude towards those who have been genuinely helpful
Additionally, make it a two-way street – if people need help, give generously. Help given at the right time generates huge amounts of (irreplaceable) goodwill, and will only make your connection to your network even strong – leveraging them does not simply mean taking, but giving back, too.
Leveraging them does not simply mean taking, but giving back, too