By Debarati Chakraborty
There is no denying the power of professional networking and the impact it has on your career. Networking helps you stay abreast of industry and job trends, gain access to resources and meet clients and mentors. The rewards are truly phenomenal.
As pointed out in the 2020–21 Economic Survey by the Government of India, Covid-19 gave a boost to the gig economy of the country. With companies opening up to remote work and hiring consultants and freelancers, the gig economy has become a lucrative option for freshers and for those who have lost jobs or are looking for new opportunities.
It is true that personal connections are going to fuel the imminent gig revolution in our country. As a gig worker, there is an immediate need for you to network and make the most of this rising trend. The question is, are you ready to jump onboard?
3 Tips To Help You Network In A Gig Economy
Be proactive, consistent and social in order to form mutually beneficial connections. Here are three tips for successful networking:
Take Time To Build Connections
Even if you are employed, or have an on-going project, it is never too early to build relevant connections. Hence, start networking before it becomes an urgent need for you.
Imagine how awkward it would be — both for you and your connections — if you asked for favours right after you were introduced to them. Give your contacts time to warm up to you, to understand your body of work and to have faith in your professional skills and abilities. And this would require more than a one-time brief greeting or emailing of your resume.
Your goal is to build a long-term relationship based on genuine motives.
Research on companies you’d want to work for and make connections in these places. Follow them on social media and engage with them through comments and reshares.
Reach out to people whose career paths interest you, professionals you would like to discuss your roles with, domain experts who can support you and professionals whom you can help.
People may get wary if they feel you have a hidden agenda. Hence, be courteous and never rush your connections for recommendations or for relevant industry/ job updates.
Do: Be Honest About What You Need
Don’t: Ask For Favours Immediately
Invest Time To Follow Up
If you have 5 connections or 50, be it online or in person, it is important to stay in touch with them. Going silent on your contacts and popping up only when you need help, may appear disrespectful. Greeting your connections regularly, for example on festive occasions, is a thoughtful way to remind them of your presence. If you’ve not interacted for a while, reintroduce yourself and mention how you met them. Do not assume your connections remember everything about you.
It is advisable to form your own greetings or wishes instead of sending them forwards or automated texts. It shows you have taken the time and effort to reconnect with them.
Following up with former colleagues or college alumni is a great way to stay in touch with them and to check up on gig demands in their industry/ company or for requesting future referrals.
Networking is a two-way process. So, keep your connections updated about your work, share relevant industry news or article links with them. You could also invite them to online seminars or real-life meetings where you introduce them to more relevant people. It is important to keep growing your connections like an interconnected web, for networking to be mutually useful.
Do: Engage At Regular Intervals
Don’t: Reappear Suddenly Asking For Help
Be Ready To Support Others
A smart way to build long-lasting connections is to help and support your contacts. It is easy to forget or not respond to requests from your network. You needn’t engage with them daily, but try to keep a couple of hours every week where you can reply to emails/ DMs and return calls that you may have missed.
Remember to be honest with your communication. For eg. A contact wants you to refer them to a hiring head, but you do not have access to this recruiter. Instead of avoiding emails or calls, or claiming you would try, simply state that you are not in a position to help them. Your contact will respect your honesty and be able to approach others on time. Don’t keep anyone waiting for career updates or information.
Once a week, go through all your networking communication channels and social media. Update yourself with what people are discussing and what seems to be the need of the hour.
Be ready to offer assistance within your scope and knowledge. Maybe someone is stuck with a digital marketing campaign, introduce them to social media groups that function in the same domain. You can help your connections in so many ways: Offer cost-effective solutions, help with formatting/ proofing applications and cover letters, give feedback on their latest designs or 3D models.
Unless you give time and attention to your connections, it will be difficult for you to later ask them for help. A little support and encouragement go a long way in building trust in your networking circles.
Do: Offer Help Whenever Possible
Don’t: Avoid Calls And Texts
