“Networking is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities.” — Michele Jennae.
Bridging a professional gap and opening up several other good contacts are some of the basic things that every student pursuing a business management course should master. Developing such relationships is very important for any career, especially when dealing with business in the future. Courses develop a theoretical understanding of things and technical know-how but networking affords one inclusion in a circle that offers guidance on how to carry out one’s vocation, offers employment opportunities, and more.
In this day and age of cutthroat competition, it is no longer about only what one knows but equally about who knows you. This clearly states the importance of professional contacts as they enhance the chances of finding employment opportunities or creating business partnerships. Many students do find the idea of networking rather terrifying, especially since they are at the very beginning of their professional lives, but that should not prevent them from reaching out and creating a strong support network. It is for this reason that this blog aims to provide business and management students with professional relationship-building tips that are simple and practical.
Why Networking is Critical for Business and Management Students
Although the goal is to offer tips on effective networking, it is equally important to appreciate the role that networking plays in one’s career. As LinkedIn’s Global Talent Trends Report reveals, 85% of job openings are filled through networking, browsing job boards included. In addition to this, networking is not a poor association done to find jobs but rather to broaden homophily by having mentors, peers and leaders in the news industry who can offer some guidance, advice and most importantly opportunities.
Students of Business and Management studies for example should be prepared to embrace networking because the business environment is largely relationship-based. Building contacts early in one’s corporate career be it looking for employment, self-employment or management consultancy, is important as these contacts form the cornerstone for one’s professional development.
Networking Tips for Business and Management Students
1. Start Networking Early
The majority of students contention is that such activities as networking are only reserved for the end part of their studies as they will be nearly looking for employment. On the contrary, the right commute is to gain as much as possible from such endeavours and do that as early as possible. Networking is a gradual process and it is even better because the earlier one begins the better and more useful the one’s network will be when needed. Accordingly, industry conferences, career fairs, and campus networking events should be attended at the earliest opportunity to begin interacting with relevant professionals in one’s field.
Infographic: early networking correlation with chances of finding an inter or job before graduation, National Association of Colleges and Employers emphasizes that such practice has their students’ chances of inter or job finding increased when they practice early networking.
2. Leverage Social Media Platforms
You can build your network of professional contacts using social media sites and, in particular, LinkedIn. In the case of LinkedIn, one can connect to industry contacts, former colleagues, or the same batch of persons while presenting one’s credentials. Whenever you reach out to new individuals on LinkedIn, make sure you create a custom request for connection. Explain in a sentence or two the reason for your request to connect and the way you appreciate the person’s work or career path. Maintaining a Professional Profile on the Internet is also very important in this digital world.
Moreover, consider the industry and the people surrounding it, business leaders and heads of departments in your case; make such persons follow you and also belong to them and talk with them. Taking the initiative and posting relevant content, such as articles, opinions or even some of your achievements will help in keeping the network active and inviting.
3. Join Student and Professional Organizations
Numerous educational institutions in management provide a range of student activities with real-life experiences, such as a consulting club, investment club, or entrepreneurship club. It is advisable to enrol in the aforementioned clubs to make new friends who share similar interests as well as participate in hands-on activities that enhance one’s social circle.
Besides school, there are also other clubs one can participate that are related to their field of interest. Most of these clubs and organizations, such as the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and the American Marketing Association (AMA), have provisions for students joining them. By going to such activities or conferences, you will make contacts within the field who will help you advance your career and gain knowledge from them.
4. Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Business and management students should get hold of any opportunity to participate in events tailored for their profession, statics, seminars, webinars and conferences. These kinds of events are a lot beneficial in that they give information on networking and getting access to prominent figures, business owners and potential employers. “Usually industry conferences help in following up the trends and advances in the working area so that one is well equipped to face any discussions with fellow professionals on such matters.”.
In a gathering, especially one that brings together people from different professions, one should be ready with an ‘elevator pitch’. The better part is a thirty-second summation of who the person is, what he/she does and what one intends to get out of the event. This skill is very important in the work environment since most people work under high levels of pressure and have no time to waste.
Quick Fact: As per a survey done by Business Insider, 72 % of people still consider physical networking at events to acquire new contacts as the best.
5. Utilize Your School’s Alumni Network
The alumni of your institution can be a great asset when it comes to developing contacts in your area of concern. Most business institutions have such vibrant and organized alumni that they have mentorship, networking, and even job services. Contact the graduates who have joined the field or organization you wish to work for and request an informational interview as well.
This type of interview helps you not only understand the nuances of a job, the ambience of the organization, or the ongoing changes in the industry but also develops a rapport with someone who will probably help you at some time in future. Because alumni tend to show a lot of goodwill for the present pupils, go ahead and use the bond.
6. Build Meaningful, Long-Term Relationships
In modern society, networking is seen as hurriedly collecting tons of business cards and adding random people on LinkedIn. However, in reality, true networking is about creating and nurturing long-lasting relationships, and that needs time and work. After a person has been met, some efforts should be made, for instance, sending a message or an e-mail. These people should also be cared for by sending articles that may be of interest to them, by offering congratulations when they achieve something or by just checking on them once in a while.
One of the things that will help you keep friends at work is having an interest in their well-being. Networking is not primarily about individuals; it is also communal in that people interact to help one another. Share what you know and who you know, where appropriate.
7. Offer Value Before Asking for Help
One of the most critical aspects of networking is to give value before requesting anything in return. Offering to help on a certain task, providing them with the pertinent information, or introducing them to a person, are all things that help them more likely than not, depending on how you have helped them first, do something in return for you.
While having a conversation, do not be afraid to ask questions and actively listen to the other person, showing concern for his/her thoughts and opinions. When done effectively, value-based interaction will help enhance your network since it will be built on trust and reliability.
8. Practice Your Communication Skills
Because networking involves many one-on-one sessions, effective verbal skills are very important. Take time to learn active listening. This is where one listens to the speaker’s ideas and contributes to the ideas appropriately. Active Listening enhances the quality of your communication and makes people comfortable around you.
Moreover, other components are crucial to the success of the communication process, and these are non-verbal cues. Keep steady eye contact, shake hands firmly, and smile; all these give an impression of a person who is confident and approachable. Communication involves much more than simple speech in a given environment; it includes self-presentation.
9. Follow Up and Stay Consistent
Establishing a professional network takes a long time and one cannot do it in a day. There is no opposing argument to this; build it daily. After any social contact with a person, including a congress or sending a request on LinkedIn, do not forget to write a message or an email saying thanks. They should be reminded of the previous discussions and reassured of your desire to be in touch. It is not healthy to let your connections die a slow death – do things to sustain them by occasionally reaching out and interacting with their work on sites like LinkedIn.
Quick Fact: The Harvard Business Review conducted a study that showed that professionals who were in the habit of following up with people after meetings were 42% more likely to keep such business relationships over time.
Conclusion
Networking is fundamentally important in achieving the career goals of an individual, particularly for those taking business management courses. By starting early using social media attending functions or becoming a member of societies, one can create a good professional base that will be useful in future. Of course, networking is not only about collecting contacts but building healthy and ever-lasting relationships. It is possible to develop such a strong network that will transform and create new opportunities in the business environment simply by providing value, being active and caring about other people.
