Intentional Networking and the Professional Benefits of Friends of Friends

In our last blog we talked about strong, weak, and dormant ties, and what each kind of connection offers our professional network and career development. In this blog, we are taking those ties to the next level and asking who our friends-of-friends are.

 Everyone in your network has knowledge, ideas, and contacts that can help you grow in your role, your career, and in your industry. When you think of your industry, and where you want to go in the future, you should look outside of your own network and access the opportunities and the contacts that exist through your connections.

It can be difficult to go to networking events and meet new people. It can also be challenging to meet the right people who can help you in your career at a general “Networking for Newcomers” event in your city. Yet, as we’ve mentioned before, networking doesn’t need to be difficult or intimidating if you are intentional about your approach.

When you are considering your next career steps, think about who you would like to meet to ask questions, to canvass for information, or to learn more about their career path. Then, look through your network and see who might be connected to that person or who might know of someone who can facilitate a “warm” introduction.

This is where friends of friends come in.

If you think of how interconnected your industry is, and really, how interconnected the world is, through strong, weak, and dormant ties, you might be surprised how many people your friends know, and how closely connected you are to someone you want or need to meet.

Reaching out to dormant ties to establish new connections is also a great way to rekindle that connection, while also gaining insight, information, and expanding your network. Because their networks are different from yours, and because they have taken a different path, their professional network is full of new people – even if it is an introduction that leads to another connection.

Being intentional about developing your network, asking for assistance, and rekindling relationships can lead to a whole host of new opportunities. Don’t underestimate the power of connections and the connections of your connections! Remember:  give back to your network when someone asks you for advice or a warm introduction, too!