Looking to expand your professional social circles and open up possibilities for new career opportunities? Networking is one of the best ways to build connections with other professionals in your industry, but doing so can prove difficult for introverted people who struggle to make connections in the workplace. For all those who long to build lasting connections with colleagues, here are five helpful tips that will help you successfully network at your job.
1. Talk to Your Coworkers
This may seem obvious, but it’s a major one—your coworkers are a valuable asset, and they are the ones most available to you. A great first step when looking to network with those you work with is to learn about the people around you, as they may be in similar points in their career.
Sometimes, just relying on your desk’s nameplate is not enough. Making yourself known to the people around you can help cement your role there. As difficult as it may be, socializing is your greatest tool.
It doesn’t necessarily mean becoming everyone’s best friend, but it means smiling in a hallway or making small talk in the lounge. Talking about something as simple as the weather or current events is a good way to socialize with your coworkers. Don’t worry—it gets easier the more you do it!
2. Use Your Socials
In this day and age, it’s rare to find someone who doesn’t use social media. According to Wonderkind, 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn—so you should too. LinkedIn is the best social networking platform for business professionals, and keeping your profile updated shows that you take your career seriously. Exchanging LinkedIn profiles is a great way to build relationships with your coworkers. It creates a sense of familiarity and shows that you care to get to know them. Social media posts are also a good avenue to find topics to discuss when you see them in the office.
Other social media platforms, such as Facebook, are good for becoming familiar with those around you on a more personal level. These social media platforms should really only be used once you build a close friendship with a coworker, and shouldn’t be used when you first meet someone.
The content on sites like Facebook or Instagram doesn’t have to be as professional as LinkedIn. It can reflect your personality, interests, and any cute pets you have, but make sure to be careful—never post anything online that you wouldn’t want an employer to see.
3. Help Your Colleagues Out
In most jobs, you’ll have to work with others or in a team. So there are plenty of opportunities to help each other out with tasks. Helping your coworkers can range from reviewing or editing an email, or giving your input when they are stuck on something.
Helping your coworkers demonstrates your value and that you are a team player. You should display yourself as not just seeking your own success but also that of those around you.
While being helpful does open doors, others may take advantage of you. Doing all their work isn’t in your job description, and you have to set boundaries with how much help you can offer. It’s one thing to review their project, it’s another to create it entirely for them.
But helping out the right people can benefit you. Your coworkers may be more willing to help you when you’re in a bind, especially if you’ve assisted them with a task in the past.
Remember to be considerate of how it may come off when asking for favors. Maintain your connections and think of them more as friendships, rather than soulless transactions.
4. Attend Company Events
When your workplace hosts company picnics or outings, take advantage of them! You don’t necessarily have to attend every single one, but they are a great way to network. These events allow you to meet people you might not otherwise, such as those in a different department or team than you.
Company events also allow you to get a better sense of what your organization’s overall working environment is like. Working in a small bubble may be comfortable but it doesn’t allow you to grow your social skills.
These events allow you to be more relaxed around your coworkers. They are a good way to get to know each other better without deadlines or projects weighing you down.
If happy hour is legal in your state, attending one with your colleagues can be a good way to network outside your office building. If you’re not a drinker, that’s okay too! Use other outings to your advantage. Not to mention, the outings may have free food. With how expensive groceries are nowadays, a free meal is always welcome.
5. Keep Up with Your Connections
Starting one connection doesn’t mean it’s always going to stick—that’s why it’s important to maintain your relationships in case you ever need help down the road. Staying in touch with people you previously worked with benefits both parties, as it makes you more reachable.
Even if it’s a connection you just made, it’s good to follow up with them. It’s helpful to let them know that you’re available through certain means or for certain hours. Or you can ask them further questions you had, in case you had an inquiry about something they were working on or for advice.
Social media is a good way to keep up with your coworkers. Liking or commenting on a post is a simple way to remind them of your existence. For business platforms like LinkedIn, it’s a good way to see what job or position your acquaintances are in currently. Especially if you’ve parted ways in your career.
This can also apply for high school or college friends, you never know what connections may come in handy in the future.
Network with Barton Associates
Looking to try out your new networking skills? Apply for a job with Barton Associates to work at any of our nine locations!
