Picture yourself in a room full of university students or young professionals. Everyone’s glued to their phones, huddled in their comfort zones, waiting for someone else to make the first move. Most people will walk in and walk out without a single meaningful conversation. But not you. Not anymore. Because you’re about to learn how to break the ice, build authentic connections, and turn strangers into your professional allies.
Let me tell you something nobody wants to admit, you could be brilliant, talented, and hardworking, but if the right people don’t know you exist, you’re wearing an invisibility cloak. That internship you wanted? It went to someone whose cousin knew the hiring manager. That job offer? Handed to someone who showed up at the right event and struck up the right conversation. Unfair? Maybe. Reality? Absolutely.
Read Forbes’ article on the Importance of Intentional Networking and you will get to know that your professional success is not always about what you know, it is about who you know. The formula is simple, Connections + Authenticity = Opportunities and Success. And if you’re sitting there doubting your ability to network, then this guide is especially for you.
Understanding the Emotional Bank Account Concept
In his book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey introduces the unique concept of the emotional bank account. The concept tells that you make ‘deposits’ through trust, understanding, and positive interactions with people. Then, you also face ‘withdrawals’ from misunderstandings, difficult decisions, and broken commitments. These ‘transactions’ are the determinants of your network.
Now that you know the significance of networking, let’s dig into 5 easy tricks to build a professional network that’s meaningful and long-lasting.
1. Smile and Remember
Start easy. I dare you to do a simple task: choose someone you don’t know, or someone you’ve never talked to before, or maybe someone you’re not on talking terms with, and pass them a genuine smile the next time you see them. No communication, no words, nothing, only an upward lift of your lips. I promise you’ll feel on cloud nine when you get a warm reply.
A smiling face reflects approachability. Make it comfortable for people to talk to you. You cannot create walls around yourself and expect others to connect with you. You have to give them a green signal, and your smile is that signal. It costs nothing and creates much. So, smile.
Dale Carnegie, a seasoned analyst of people and their behavior, suggests another trick to positively influence others. He tells us to remember people’s names. In his own rulebook, he says, “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”
And that is true. You and I would always give attention to that person whom we’ve met only once but who calls us by our name, even if it’s in a foreign language.
2. Stop Overthinking, Start Reaching Out
Suppose you’re in dire need of help, and you have a person in mind who could assist, but the barrier that you’ve never talked to them is troubling you. I would recommend you stop wasting your time overthinking the pros and cons of reaching out to them and just reach out.
Start with a casual “Hi!” but don’t drag the conversation asking idle questions like how was their day. Cut to the chase, don’t waste their time. Tell them how you think they can help and share your problem with them. 60% of people will help you get out of your dilemma. 30% will shower you with words of motivation that don’t really solve your problem but will help you have a clearer mind. Only 10% would dare to turn you down, but it’s fine there’s always room for disapproval, isn’t there?
3. Master Cold Outreach
Cold outreach often does what your old connections don’t do. It isn’t about sending random messages to strangers. When done right, it can be the starting point of something great. All you have to do is play smart and strategic.
- Connect with people on LinkedIn. Suppose your goal is to become a finance professional, add people from that circle on your LinkedIn. Observe what they do, reach out to them, and seek assistance, an opinion, or maybe a request to review a small project you’ve worked upon.
- Use an engaging subject line if reaching out through email. Keep your subject line concise and energetic. Energetic because the recipient should know your willingness and level of interest, and concise because you don’t want to waste their time and lose an opportunity.
- Target audiences where there’s a higher expectation of replies. For instance, approach people from HR departments of companies to ask about available roles and opportunities. There are companies that keep resumes and CVs in their database, you may prove to be a potential candidate for any of their open roles.
4. Stay Connected and Follow Up
Do not forget the ones you’ve started talking with. On and off, text them and ask how they’re doing. Have a casual conversation with them. Let them know you remember them. Make your connections work for you the right way.
I’m not asking you to idle-talk. All that’s required is a ten-minute civil conversation, catching up on how they’ve been, what they’re doing, or maybe even recalling a shared memory and relating it to your present situation. Remembering is one of the beautiful compliments we can give to a person.
5. Attend Networking Events
Entrepreneurs and Business People love storytelling. They’re so into the concept of sharing how they reached their level of success that they organize public webinars and seminars specially for this purpose, where they’re the featured speakers. Start attending such events. Look up business expos or seminars at public halls. Plus point, they are free and majorly open to the public.
You’ll not only get to hear advice from seasoned people, but you’ll also get to meet people from their circles and gain exposure to diverse individuals who are masters in their own fields. So what if you don’t know any of them? Use the above-mentioned tips, start with a smile and end by building connections and staying connected, and voilà, your network expands!
I’m sure by now you also believe that your network is your net worth. The connections you create today will open doors for you tomorrow that you didn’t even know existed, but only if you nurture them the right way. So get out there, break the ice, and watch as meaningful connections transform your professional journey!
