Networking is important and is the core of having a great working relationship with many people. Networking can create friendships and working relationships that are mutually beneficial to both parties, it isn’t simply sharing information.
1. Mutual Benefits
Networking can help share ideas with a person from another company and they can share their ideas with you, this helps both companies out and build mutual benefits and a mutually trusting working relationship between two individuals or companies.
2. Stand Out
Networking can help you to stand out from a crowd, you create mutually beneficial relationships which can then lead to a higher level of acknowledgment for your skills. This in turn can cause you to be noticed by people that can propel your career for you.
3. New Opportunities
Being noticed more and having your skills and abilities appreciated can open new doors for you, you might be offered promotions or new positions that have been as a direct result of getting noticed from networking.
4. Extra resources
Networking can bring about some great working relationships, these, in turn, can result in a mutually beneficial agreement where you can utilize this relationship and so share resources with one another. This can be helpful and effectively double if not more the number of resources each company has access to.
5. Promotion
Networking with individuals that are of a high profile can prove beneficial, especially if they took the same career path you’re on or want to take. By networking with these individuals and forming a good working relationship with them you can get a heads up of any opportunities that will help you to climb the career path ladder. By no means does that mean you should expect anything of your relationships, it simply means you might get the nod if a position is becoming available that could help you.
6. Confidence
Networking with high profile individuals can help to build confidence in one’s self, seeing how appreciated your skills are and that individuals want to form a good working relationship with you can help yourself to see your value. It is important to have belief in yourself as if you don’t value yourself how can you expect anybody else to value you. Confidence is key, showing you know your value is imperative to progress, it is important to know that you and worthy of more, and you have such a high potential you can reach. By knowing this you can convey this to potential employers.
7. Flexibility
Networking can help to develop your ability to be flexible and considerate to other’s needs, it’s great having a relationship through the network with somebody but in order to strengthen and cement this working relationship, give and take are required. For example, the other person may need some advice or assistance, even use of your contacts. By helping them out you build a level of trust which then means you are in the position to also use this beneficial working relationship if you ever find yourself in the same position.
