You'll discover during the course of your career that there is no one size fits all approach to professional networking, especially when taking generational differences in preferred methods of in-person and online communication into account. For instance, Twitter provides recruiters with a fantastic opportunity—albeit one that is frequently missed—to connect with college grads, people in their 18–29s, and urbanites who earn more than $75,000. In fact, 61 percent of job seekers using Twitter in their hunt, primarily to peruse company profiles for openings (74 percent).
More generally, there is no denying that everyone of us has certain strengths. You can capitalise on your natural affinity for LinkedIn engagement if you struggle to strike up conversations at employment fairs and other events. Of course, keep in mind that gaining self-assurance throughout face-to-face interactions is a skill that you can unquestionably develop!
In any case, be mindful of the networking blunders and myths that even the best networkers have fallen victim to as you learn the ropes and craft a strategy that works best for you. Here is Jackfruit's list of the most typical networking errors that can be fixed.
1. Using inappropriate or inactive online behaviour
Being active on LinkedIn is as easy as liking other people's postings, recognising their accomplishments, and offering a unique viewpoint in the comments section.
To step up your participation, it's also beneficial to give relevant, helpful insight about your business, workplace adages, and inspirational stories online.
A simple online networking interaction "here and there," claims Novorésumé, will increase your chances of receiving leads or offers for new prospects by more than 50%.
A few general guidelines for social media posts
Try to come up with a name that makes sense (the opposite of what you used in your AIM account) and can be used more or less consistently across platforms. Specifically, put your first initial and last name along with a number, or type your first and last names in full.
Have a warm, responsible profile picture (something suitable for your grandmother's refrigerator).
Promote positivity, zeal, and social awareness
Avoid bombarding people with posts, comments, and messages. When posting, bear in mind LinkedIn's most recent research, which advises doing so on Instagram 3–7 times weekly, Facebook 1–2 times daily, Twitter 1–5 times daily, and LinkedIn 1–5 times daily.
2. Only asking for favours and failing to pay them back
It's not necessary to match letters for letters while networking professionally to express your gratitude for a job reference or a nice coffee conversation. Progressively, in lesser ways, you can express your gratitude to a contact for their assistance, such as by liking their postings or keeping them informed of how they have aided you.
Always, always, always remember to express your gratitude to anyone who has offered a helping hand. Your Jackfruit to-do list might help you keep track of when you need to follow up.
This also applies to those who took the time to interview you. Nearly one in five hiring managers, according to a TopResume survey, will reject an application if they don't write a thank-you message. Nearly 70% of respondents claimed that a thank-you note has in some way affected their decision-making process.
You can discover a suitable manner to thank someone for their assistance depending on the seriousness of the favour; doing so will strengthen your relationship and make them feel grateful. These attempts may take the form of a handwritten letter or an email. You can decide whether it's appropriate to give a small gift whether it's a close family friend who went above and beyond to secure you an interview, for example, or a previous employer that went above and beyond in their recommendation.
The episode of Kelly Hoey's podcast Build Your Dream Network titled "How to Reciprocate a Networking Favor" provides the following techniques to express gratitude through respect:
Always show up to meetings you've requested and keep track of the time.
Express your understanding of and respect for their hard-earned social capital if you've asked for an introduction.
If you've asked them for advice, let them know you appreciate their commitment to becoming an expert and that you appreciate their knowledge.
No matter what happens, thank them for their assistance.
Show them how and when you have used their advice.
When the time is appropriate, be prepared to reciprocate.
According to Hoey, personal professional networking techniques should take precedence over transactional ones. She is aware that it is generally accepted, based on current professional hierarchies, that you will not exact payment for the favour.
3. Stressing More About Job Openings Than Good Conversations
You shouldn't ask someone for too much too soon, whether you met them through a fruitful cold outreach email or a shared family connection. The best amount of time [to wait before inquiring about job openings] is dictated by the other person, not you, Caroline Ceniza-Levine writes in a Forbes article. You're better off discussing your job-search experience with them and letting them decide whether or not introducing you to an available position is within their purview. You'd be remiss if you didn't bring up their interests and inquire about their day if you frequently start conversations around the job search.
The takeaway is to avoid focusing on job postings during business interactions.
If someone has agreed to meet for coffee and spend time with you, your conversation should aim higher. In other words, it's best to talk about and be specific about your career aspirations without pressing others to take action.
4. Insensitive Behavior in Social Situations
Being "too comfy" can irritate people. People frequently step over the line by boasting and interrupting.
You may have spent a lot of time in the past pushing yourself to step outside of your comfort zone, which is fantastic! However, talking big and being too at ease is dangerous—even meek braggarts will have to answer for their actions.
In a study conducted by Ovul Sezer at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School, 70% of participants were able to recollect a recent humblebrag. Even when disguised as complaints, 60% of the humblebrags they remembered were still noted.
Similar to being false, pushing conversation and putting on a show can come across as doing so. Within a minute of conversing, a large 61% of people think they can recognise a "fake" right away. This doesn't imply you have to constantly keep an eye on yourself; you should only try to be aware of yourself and thoughtful of others. The greatest approach to be cool is to read the environment, especially when meeting professional acquaintances, some of whom will have a slight seniority.
Lessons learned: refrain from speaking too loudly, interfering, and disclosing private information. Observe whether drinking alcohol is appropriate as well. Don't overindulge if they've suggested getting beverages.
5. Being judgmental or pessimistic toward others
You might look your closest coworker in the eyes after a long day, and you might both roll your eyes. That's all well and good, but generally speaking, you shouldn't constantly attack your employer and coworkers.
This negativity will permeate both internal and external interactions that you have at work as well as interviews. To demonstrate that you can handle any job, you should tackle professional obstacles with a problem-solving, can-do attitude.
Finally, you can do this!
Nobody is perfect, and every self-proclaimed networking expert will likely acknowledge that they have gained their knowledge through mistakes.
Professional networking can be intimidating at first, but you'll discover that you have complete control over meeting and maintaining contact with other professionals.
Additionally, Jackfruit is by your side at every turn: our networking tracker allows you to save each member of your network in one location. So there you have it—a formal invitation to start putting yourself out there and recording the highs and lows of networking for business.
