networking events Archives

According to a study by Gallup, 85 percent of people hate their jobs. For every 4 out of 5 people you come across, four of them will not like their boss.

That’s pretty substantial.

From my observations, many folks don’t like their positions because of unclear expectations of roles in the workplace, lack of resources to perform well, the purpose behind their work, the community around the workplace, and treatment of employees.

If you don’t have the developmental resources you may hope for, it’s time to stop playing the victim and take your professional development into your own hands.

If you’re motivated enough to take charge, there are goals you can aspire towards to develop your career – whether your employer will help or not.

Communicate with your employer

Though it may seem risky, have the conversation with your employer in regard to professional development opportunities.

Ask if there are any resources accessible for you to take advantage of. Regardless of your occupation, there’s always something to learn. Work in a sales environment? Try different ways of tracking your leads.

Find a solution to be more productive in the day? Share it with your employer and team and encourage others to join you. Maybe after you’ve proven yourself, they’ll give you an opportunity. Maybe your direct report is drowning in work that they don’t even realize this desire of yours to improve. Or, maybe not. Still, have an open and honest conversation that you’d like to grow, and that will give you a basis to start.

Continue to educate yourself

Though finding an employer to pay for continued education is a treasure, it’s not always plausible. But if you would like to continue your education or develop certain skills, think outside of the box.

Maybe for a season you can juggle working part-time at Starbucks in exchange for their higher education program. Or, it’s arguable that online programs are quickly becoming more relevant than college courses based on the applicable skills taught.

Try taking courses with Udemy or Skillshare, or even free certifications through Hubspot and Google. Even if only for 30 minutes a day on your lunch break, find a way to educate yourself and diversify your skill set.

Find or start a networking group

Organizations like Meetup, Eventbrite, or your local Chamber of Commerce are great resources to help you network. Most people approach these events completely wrong and only go looking for clients. But, if you pursue them with the perspective of building relationships, you’ll gain so much more over time.

Otherwise, volunteer in your city. Find organizations that connect you to both like-minded and diverse groups of people that challenge your thinking, and help connect you to others.

The larger your network, the larger your resource pool when looking for prospective employment opportunities, personal growth catalysts, or just support in whatever season of your career you may be in.

Create a contact database

As you continue to develop your professional development community, develop a contact database to keep track of your connections. Almost like a prospect list, note names, phone numbers, emails, and identifying pieces of information – like where this person goes to church, how many kids they have, something you have in common, or when you last saw them – to keep on file.

Stay in touch with the connections over time that may be valuable to your career and growth, and allow them to contact you to do the same. You never know where it may lead.

Find a mentor

Finding a mentor can sound overwhelming, but may just be the push you need to help you grow in your field. A mentor can offer insight, advice, and experience that can save you significant time and energy when you’re starting off in your career, or even changing your career path.

Once you’ve established a networking community and contact list, consider thinking of people within your sphere that can help you establish and work toward your career goals. And, don’t be afraid to reach out to your dream mentor to connect.

Remember: it’s your career, not theirs

At the end of the day, you are responsible for your own career path. Ultimately it is not your employer’s responsibility to develop you, it’s your own.

So take charge of your career, and find ways to add value and relevant experience at your 9-5 until you’ve developed yourself for the next season.

At some point, we’ve all felt awkward at a professional development where we didn’t know anyone. Each event is the same: you arrive in your business casual attire to network, grab a drink, avoid the center of the room, then grab a free appetizer and run.

Most networking events are approached with apprehension, but it’s time to skip the elevator pitch, embrace the awkward, and attend with a mindset that leaves us with valuable connections and contacts for personal and professional growth.

It isn’t all about you

Nine times out of ten, most people at networking events aren’t there to learn about you. They have their own agenda; use that to your advantage, and be proactive to listen to everyone you meet. The sales funnel is a process, and you’re likely not going to make a sale or generate a lead the first time you meet someone. So build your contact list, and focus on creating a relationship, instead of nailing your next elevator pitch. (Because no one really wants to hear another pitch anyway.)

Change your attitude

Your attitude is everything, so change your perspective on networking. Instead of going to self promote, focus on developing your relationships. Think of networking as an opportunity to speed date for your new group of colleagues. Focus more on building trust, and when the time is right, the sales or referrals will come. After all, we’re more inclined to purchase from people we trust, right? Be the person who’s focused on everyone else in the room, not how uncomfortable you may feel.

Take initiative

Don’t just head straight to the back of the room: take initiative, and make your time matter. Be bold. Put on your extravert hat, and start initiating conversations. Everyone’s anxious to break the ice, so take charge, mentally prepare, and seek out conversations. Scan the room, place your feelings aside, and pinpoint the people you know you need to talk to. Have topics or potential questions in mind, target your next prospect, and start up a conversation.

(Pro-tip: Ask people if they have pets or if they’ve gone anywhere exciting on vacation recently. You’re more quickly to bond with someone over a shared interest/experience than asking the dry, “So what do you do?”)

Connect others

You can bring value to the contacts you encounter by making an effort to bridge the gap between groups, and connect others. See someone familiar?

Introduce them in your conversation. Talking to someone who has a marketing need that you can’t accommodate? Refer them to someone you know and trust. When you focus on sharing your connections, you benefit from bringing someone business, and more often than not, they’ll be grateful and will return the favor.

Do your homework

Most networking events still require an RSVP, so figure out who’s going to be there ahead of time. Go through the guest list. Look at names you may recognize, industries you want to learn more about, or people you would like to connect with.

Do some research on topics that may bridge the gap or give you opportunities to connect with the people you want to. Create different talking points or make a note in your phone about the conversations you could have. Scan for potential leads you’d like to continue conversing with, or other connections you’d like to do business or refer to. Don’t leave without connecting with these people.

Make your last impression as great as your first

Most people talk about a great first impression, but your last impression matters as well. End your conversation on a high note, and try to remember specific things you learned about each person you converse with. Don’t just skip to the next person or head to the door without thanking them for the conversation, giving them your business card, and initiating some sort of follow up.

Follow up

The next day, be sure to send a thank you email and appreciation for your conversation. Consider expanding your LinkedIn network and staying in touch with your new found connections. When appropriate, schedule a second meeting or phone follow up if it is mutually beneficial. Don’t go soliciting everyone you meet, but do occasionally check in and keep in touch. You never know when you may need the contact you just made.

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