Professional Networking – Approaching it with the Right Mindset

Did you know about 80% of jobs are never advertised. In my previous article, how professional networking elevates your cyber career, it advocates the need for, security professionals, to develop professional networking skills in addition to our technical abilities. In fact, it’s high time we discredited common networking misconceptions which creates the impression professional networking is self-serving, all about formal events, only for extroverts and involves connecting with many people.

On the contrary, professional networking is for the curious, those who focus on learning, celebrate small wins and build long lasting relationships. It should not be as daunting and intimidating as it appears to be. Instead, with the right mental attitude and approach, it can become one of the most successful tools in your career toolbox. Let’s dive into ways to reframe some common networking challenges and take intentional steps to overcome our fears.

Embrace Curiosity

One of the foundational pillars of successful networking is to approach it with complete curiosity. Assume a genuine stance that whomever you are connecting with has some valuable knowledge, skill or interest you can mutually benefit from. You do not know everything, and that’s why we create social connections to foster collaborations and knowledge sharing. With this approach, you develop the tendency to eliminate conscious and unconscious biases when you engage with people.

Now that we have shifted our mindset to open and genuine interest in people; the next step is to embrace curiosity with preparation. It’s essential to be ready with answers to common questions people ask when you meet for the first time. What’s more, you make a good first impression when you communicate your answers with grace and confidence. Rehearse your responses to common questions or questions you have been asked previously with a mirror or a video recording device. Replay your responses, then perfect areas you fell short in till you are comfortable with your answers. Similarly, practice a couple of questions you will ask in return with the right tone of voice and facial expressions.

Next, it’s crucial you start small. When embracing curiosity, focus on quality not quantity. Creating professional networks does not necessarily mean you need to be connected to many people. Instead, focus on what you would like to achieve through your networking efforts, then use it as a guide to create meaningful connections. When in a social setting, connect with two or three people at a time. This offers a good opportunity to practice what you rehearsed without being overwhelmed. Once you get conformable with this number, you can progress to connecting with more people and explore the next networking approach.

Focus on Learning

Another equally important way to think of professional networking is to see it as an opportunity to learn something. It’s an avenue to learn about the latest industry trends and developments. More especially, it’s of great benefit when your professional network includes people from other business industries. This offers you broad access to valuable and timely information.

Learning something new can be in the form of discussing common industry challenges. This paves the way for collaborative efforts which leads to long lasting solutions to even the most elusive difficulties. Furthermore, focusing on learning enables you to receive insightful recommendations on emerging technologies and research projects. Consequently, this demonstrates your ability to stay ahead of your peers and positions you as a proactive individual who can be relied upon to curtail unwanted surprises.

Some of the best places that fosters learning are cybersecurity groups, associations and local chapters. For example, ISC2 has over 160 local chapters and 40,000 members around the globe with a focus on knowledge sharing, exchanging resources and collaboration. Additionally, you may join virtual communities on LinkedIn and Facebook, or attend industry meet ups, expos, fairs and conferences.

Remember to offer value whenever you connect with people. Being courteous and offering support is a gesture that speaks volumes about your personality and purpose. When you need it in future, this favor is likely to be returned. Also, offering value will lessen network anxiety and the associated stress of interacting with people for the very first time.

Celebrate small wins

The final recommendation is to be mindful of small wins and celebrate them. For instance, it’s easier to notice and celebrate 3000 followers on social media but it’s equally important to celebrate the 50^th and 80th^th follower. Both milestones matter. Every small win moves you closer to your networking goal of building a professional support group, gaining your next client or promotion.

In first 48 hours after making a connection, deepen that relationship with a follow-up conversation. Reach out through their preferred mode of communication with a recap of what transpired in your initial interaction. Then pick up where you left off. You can share a bit more about yourself and learn more about what your contact does. Just like any other relationship, trust will grow gradually as you stay in touch and keep communication open.

Whenever someone in your professional network helps you out in anyway, say “thank you”. This is of uttermost importance. Your appreciation communicates your respect for their effort. It also signifies what their contribution means to your career, and people tend to remember that. Furthermore, this speaks of your professionalism and is likely open more doors of opportunities.

Share the success

The right approach to successful networking is to debunk all myth, embraced curiosity, have a mindset shift that focuses on learning new things, and celebrate every achievement no matter how small. Doing these will set you up for success. Share your success stories with me. I’m eager to hear them.