How to Build an Intentional Network

We’re back again with our bi-weekly blog on intentional networking. This week, we’ll tackle a few tips around how to best accomplish this Spoiler: it takes time, and you shouldn’t expect a strong network overnight!

To recap, what do we mean by intentional networking? Think of it as simply building great relationships with a broad range of people – but these people have been curated by you and you are in the driver’s seat all the way through. It begins by you seeking out information or knowledge, and it grows into a community you can rely on for advice, listening, mentoring, coaching, and ultimately, it’s a safe space for you to develop personally and professionally. You strengthen your network as you broaden and be sure to deepen the relationships you add to it – this will help you strengthen yourself too. All these actions will increase the opportunities you have access to as you move forward in your career.

Okay, now that we are all on the same page, how do you make this happen?

We’ve compiled six key pieces of advice below, but we want to acknowledge that there is a lot of great advice out there. If you want more tips and tricks, check out our LinkedIn page – we post networking tips every Thursday!

1. Give and take, continually. Networking should not be something you only do when it suits you. It should be something you do all the time! Don’t wait until you absolutely need help to reach out and ask your network for assistance. Stay engaged and ask and offer opportunities along the way. Staying connected (reasonably – not every day) will help you deepen relationships. Be sure to set aside time to give back to your network as well. When people ask you for advice, your thoughts or opinions on an issue, give it to them!
2. Don’t stray from or ignore your passions. Join a cultural association, a volunteer organization, or Alumni group if it is something you are passionate about. If you don’t see a direct link to your personal or professional development, that’s ok. Being passionate about a cause, topic, or organization means you’ll find like-minded people there and that will help you easily develop relationships – which can take you places you may never have expected to go.
3. Mesh personal and strategic networking when you can. If you meet someone through a personal connection or organization, don’t be afraid to make that connection strategic. If that sounds too transactional, think about it this way: personal connections can lead down many paths and some of them can be your biggest advocates. Be open to asking your personal connections about your professional development, using them as a reference, or asking them about job opportunities.
4. Block time to network. If you are busy at work, that actually might be the best time for you to consider who you should meet, who you want to seek advice from, or who you should be talking to about issues or opportunities in your professional life. If you only network when you have extra time, you will miss out on a variety of opportunities, both personally and professionally.
5. Never. Stop. Networking. If you don’t see results right away, keep going. If you are getting frustrated because you aren’t getting many referrals, persevere. Relationships take time to develop and bear fruit. Networking doesn’t create opportunities overnight. Be patient and continue doing what you are doing. Eventually, you’ll look at your support system, your community (i.e. your network) and be so glad you did.
6. Use the Connector Program! Whether you are a job seeker, or established in your role, the Connector program can help you meet new people, grow your network, open your mind, and grow personally and professionally. There are programs across the country – sign up and see how easy it is to make a difference in someone’s life!

There you have it. Six short, but sweet, networking tips to get you started on your path to building the best community you can. The benefits of developing your network are many – so get out there and get started! Share your experiences with us on LinkedIn – how have you built your network? What are your ultimate networking tips?

Until next time, happy networking 😊.