Career Planning and the Importance of Smart Networking

When it comes to doing a job search and career planning, it is important that you do networking the right way. Basically, there are two types of networking – bumper car networking and smart networking.

Bumper car networking happens when you just show up at an event or a social function and meet someone with whom you chat about different things. You then give out your business card and end the conversation being hopeful that you both are going to meet each other in the future.

Meanwhile, smart networking is about building relationships and not just contacts. This is the kind of networking you would want to do as this is the more fruitful and beneficial one. Below are tips you can use as you try to have meaningful conversations with people who may eventually be helpful to your career.

1. Be ready. Always be prepared with a couple of openers you can use when you meet a variety of people. Being ready with your lines will prevent you from fumbling for words when you’re in front of someone already.

You could perhaps ask what brought them to the event, or what they think about the presentation.

2. Come up with a topic to talk about.

One of the reasons why many people fear having small talks is that they have no idea what they should talk about. Well, the truth is that there is just so much to talk about, and the problem is that you don’t know how to start talking about something. Thus, make a list in your head of the things you think will be interesting for the people you are about to meet.

3. Be attentive and a good listener.

After you have given your opening statement, patiently wait for the response. Never rush the person to answer you or end whatever it is that they are saying. Show that you are interested to hear what they are saying.

4. Find something you have in common.

Once you have heard the other person’s story, that would be a good time for you to share some thoughts and experiences of yours. Ideally, you want to mention something that you both know or understand. This way, you can build a bond that may eventually be the reason for the two of you to keep in touch in the future.

5. Have a good ending.

If you think it would benefit you to keep in touch with that person, then by all means express it. You could even invite him or her to have coffee with you some time soon.

Being prepared, having an agenda, and being sincerely interested in meeting people are the ingredients to effective and smart networking that would help you gain relationships rather than mere contacts. These are the people who may soon play an important role in your career planning and success.