Your personal network of people includes friends and relatives, work and business associates, social and sporting contacts; in other words, the people you know or have met. The importance of a personal network is well known and is as applicable to your personal life as to your working career. Follow these strategies on how to network at work and watch as your influence increases.
Be courageous.
Many people find networking a scary thing to do; some think that trying to network with co-workers is intrusive. The fact is, humans are social animals and we are most happy and satisfied with our lives when we have a wide and varied circle of friends and acquaintances.
The first few attempts at networking might be difficult, maybe embarrassing or clumsy. Persevere and soon it will be second nature to you. Approach people in a friendly, relaxed manner and they will respond to you in the same way. Share things you are passionate about; when you talk from the heart, you come across as genuine and likeable. Keep networking sessions short and leave them wanting to know more about you.
Be open
Be open and friendly to the people you work with; smile at other workers in the hallways. Even if you are shy and don’t make friends easily, you will find that when you smile at another person, they will respond. A smile is the best way to start a conversation.
Be interested
The best way to create rapport with another person is to ask open-ended questions and then listen attentively to their reply. An open-ended question needs more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. By listening to their responses, you appear interested in what they have to say and people will warm to you. After listening carefully to their reply, ask another question based on their answer, to fully understand. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and valued and this type of conversation enhances the feeling.
People love to talk about themselves, their children and their pets. A good way to start a conversation is to ask open-ended questions about their family, pets and interests. You will soon know if you have similar interests and common ground on which to establish a friendship or business relationship.
Everyone is different and you will soon learn how to communicate with various types of people and those from different backgrounds. This is an important networking skill as well as one that helps to further your career.
Be helpful
Be helpful to those at work without being pushy or opinionated. Offer suggestions to solve a work or personal challenge, offer to stay back and help complete a project with a tight deadline, offer to help a work associate with a large or difficult project. You will acquire new skills and also be seen as a team player and a person who can be relied on. Go the extra mile to be of service to others at work.
Be involved
Make the most of every opportunity to network; be involved in the more social aspect of working life. If a cake is put on for someone with a birthday, be part of that small celebration. When asked to join a group of workmates for a drink after work, accept the invitation sometimes.
Be a contributor
Find ways to contribute to the workplace. Take a leadership role when it is offered or available. Add value to your workplace; be seen as someone who makes a positive contribution not as someone who just takes without giving anything back. Develop relationships by sharing information that would be of interest to others in your workplace.
Be personal in your approach
Instead of sending an internal email, get up and deliver the information in person or pick up the phone. The personal touch is an important aspect of successful networking.
These strategies will improve how you network at work, build interpersonal relationships and may give you an added advantage when a promotion comes up or when you want to change jobs. It has worked for me anyways.
So, what do you do to network and influence others? What kinds of things have worked and what hasn’t worked? I would love to hear.
How to Network at Work and Increase your Influence — 18 Comments
Networking in the blue collar world is a little different. For starters, we don’t email. But networking is still important and I can certainly still be a teamplayer and act interested at job sites. The picture for this post made me laugh because those people look maniacally happy to be meeting eachother. 🙂
Your right. They are a bit too happy aren’t they?! Being a team player can do wonders for your reputation and networking. It sets a great example and shows that you know how to engage others.
Networking is not as hard as it may appear to most people. The key is to view it as a way of further opening doors to your future. I’ve found that most people were looking for the same benefits from networking as I was, and many were very friendly and approachable. Networking can even be fun, but in order for it to be effective, you have to think about it in more positive terms; rather than be frightened about doing it.
Well said. I totally agree. The more people you meet the more opportunities you might have opened to you. Half of the jobs I have had have been a result from networking.
Haha they do look a little TOO enthused! But networking is SO, so important. And listening is such an important part of it. People feel more appreciated when you are interested in them, not necessarily in how you have a story that relates to them. When taking on leadership positions, it’s also helpful to listen. Take on other people’s ideas and contributions even if you think your ideas are better. Helping others feel appreciated and involved is 9/10 of making them like you.
Networking is key – but can be very hard work depending on your personality. I’ve joined committees at work to help meet people outside my team. It’s much easier than having to try to just walk up to them! 🙂
I agree with mycanuckbuck – networking CAN be incredibly difficult if it doesn’t suit your personality. I tend to be a fairly quiet/shy person – and networking is my biggest nightmare! It takes everything in me to strike up a conversation with a stranger…yet it seems to come so natural for others!
You just have to try networking a different way. Try online forums and sites like LinkedIn. This lets you talk and meet people without having to feel so vulnerable.
Networking, ugh. Such a loaded term. Honestly, I prefer to think of it simply as being a decent person – getting to know others, helping out where you can, being a friend. That = karma.
Well said. That really is what it boils down to. Engaging with others, treating them how you want to be treated and offering a helping hand. Now if only everyone would do this.
Wonderful and doable tips. And I suppose I do all of these. Where I find problems is: a) maintaining a relationship; and b) sometimes I would say the most inappropriate thing just because I can’t resist a good pun (it is like so disorder where you know you are saying the wrong thing but you can’t stop).
Most of the commenters have pointed this out already. Networking is not that difficult. The basic premise is that if you seek to assist others to do what they already desire to do, in time, you’ll see the fruits of your efforts returned.
Your personal network of people includes friends and relatives, work and business associates, social and sporting contacts; in other words, the people you know or have met. The importance of a personal network is well known and is as applicable to your personal life as to your working career. Follow these strategies on how to network at work and watch as your influence increases.
Networking in the blue collar world is a little different. For starters, we don’t email. But networking is still important and I can certainly still be a teamplayer and act interested at job sites. The picture for this post made me laugh because those people look maniacally happy to be meeting eachother. 🙂
Your right. They are a bit too happy aren’t they?! Being a team player can do wonders for your reputation and networking. It sets a great example and shows that you know how to engage others.
Maniacal is right … They might be a little too juiced up on morning coffee.
Networking is not as hard as it may appear to most people. The key is to view it as a way of further opening doors to your future. I’ve found that most people were looking for the same benefits from networking as I was, and many were very friendly and approachable. Networking can even be fun, but in order for it to be effective, you have to think about it in more positive terms; rather than be frightened about doing it.
Well said. I totally agree. The more people you meet the more opportunities you might have opened to you. Half of the jobs I have had have been a result from networking.
Haha they do look a little TOO enthused! But networking is SO, so important. And listening is such an important part of it. People feel more appreciated when you are interested in them, not necessarily in how you have a story that relates to them. When taking on leadership positions, it’s also helpful to listen. Take on other people’s ideas and contributions even if you think your ideas are better. Helping others feel appreciated and involved is 9/10 of making them like you.
I totally agree. Being collaborative and a good listening goes a long way to good working relationships.
Networking is key – but can be very hard work depending on your personality. I’ve joined committees at work to help meet people outside my team. It’s much easier than having to try to just walk up to them! 🙂
I have done the same thing. I find volunteering a great way to meet new people.
I agree with mycanuckbuck – networking CAN be incredibly difficult if it doesn’t suit your personality. I tend to be a fairly quiet/shy person – and networking is my biggest nightmare! It takes everything in me to strike up a conversation with a stranger…yet it seems to come so natural for others!
You just have to try networking a different way. Try online forums and sites like LinkedIn. This lets you talk and meet people without having to feel so vulnerable.
Networking, ugh. Such a loaded term. Honestly, I prefer to think of it simply as being a decent person – getting to know others, helping out where you can, being a friend. That = karma.
Well said. That really is what it boils down to. Engaging with others, treating them how you want to be treated and offering a helping hand. Now if only everyone would do this.
Wonderful and doable tips. And I suppose I do all of these. Where I find problems is: a) maintaining a relationship; and b) sometimes I would say the most inappropriate thing just because I can’t resist a good pun (it is like so disorder where you know you are saying the wrong thing but you can’t stop).
Lol. So you’re a jokester huh? I find it hard to maintain relationships too. Everyone is so busy and time can fly.
Most of the commenters have pointed this out already. Networking is not that difficult. The basic premise is that if you seek to assist others to do what they already desire to do, in time, you’ll see the fruits of your efforts returned.
True. Karma is a huge factor.
Schmoozing always pays good dividends. Members of your network will always give that extra effort, or move you up to the top of the to-do list.