Ultimate Guide to Professional Networking For Career Growth
Sales and marketing professionals can benefit from professional networking for career growth.
Professional networking is not just for business people or executives. It’s for anyone who cares about their career and anyone interested in building a valuable professional skill.
Networking is not limited only to the most extroverted professionals but is, in fact, accessible to anyone willing to learn. Whether you are soft-spoken and subtle or a boisterous back-slapper, networking requires thought and practice.
Professional networking can make a huge difference in your career when done right. Here’s how to use professional networking to your advantage.
Professional networking is not just about exchanging business cards or collecting contacts. It’s about building relationships with other professionals to benefit both parties involved. These relationships can provide you with opportunities for career advancement, professional development, and even personal growth. Networking can also help you build a support system of people offering advice, mentorship, and guidance. When you have a strong professional network, you have a built-in group of people who can help you achieve your professional goals.
Professional Networking for Career Growth Gives You New Ideas
When you’re caught up in the day-to-day grind of your job, it can be easy to get stuck in a rut. Talking to other professionals and hearing about their work can give you new ideas and help you see your work from a different perspective. When you network, you open yourself up to new possibilities and different ways of thinking.
Networking Helps Your Personal Brand
Your professional network is a group of people who can vouch for your skills and abilities. When you have a strong professional network, you have a team of people who can help you promote your personal brand. Your professional network can be a valuable asset if you’re looking for a new job or attracting new clients.
Professional Networking Gives You Access to “Hidden” Opportunities
A lot of professional opportunities are never advertised. This is why professional networking for career growth is so important. Great positions are often filled through word-of-mouth or personal connections.
You have access to these “hidden” opportunities when you have a strong professional network. Your professional network can also help you get your foot in the door when applying for a job or trying to land a new client.
Networking Can Provide Valuable Mentors and Professional Advice
When you have a professional network, you can connect with people who are more experienced than you. These people can provide valuable mentorship and guidance. They can also offer advice on everything from job search strategies to career advancement tips.
Professional Networking Will Deepen Your Knowledge
When you network with other professionals, you can learn from them. You can pick their brains and get insights into their industries and fields of expertise. The more people you talk to, the more knowledge you’ll gain.
Networking Will Grow Your Confidence
When you professional network, you’ll have the opportunity to practice your networking skills. The more you do it, the more confident you’ll become. Networking can be daunting, but it gets easier with practice.
Professional Networking Can Help You Form Valuable, Rewarding Relationships
When you professional network, you’ll meet new people and form relationships with them. These relationships can be valuable and rewarding, both professionally and personally. When you have a strong professional network, you have a group of people you can rely on for advice, support, and opportunities.
How to Do Professional Networking
Here are some things to think about regarding professional networking for career growth.
Go to Networking Events
One of the best ways to use professional networking to your advantage is to attend industry events. Industry events are great places to meet other professionals in your field and learn about new trends and developments in your industry. These events can also be great opportunities to showcase your skills and talents. Industry events are a great place to start if you want to make a professional connection.
Networking events can help your career in the following ways:
- Meeting new contacts who can help you achieve your professional goals
- Learning about new trends and developments in your industry
- Showcasing your skills and talents
- Building a support system of people who can offer advice, mentorship, and guidance.
If you’re a bit shy and wondering how to network — don’t worry! Professional networking events are unlike typical social situations where there’s always a chance of a cold shoulder when approaching a new group. Remember, those who attend networking events are there for the same reasons as you. Also, you’re dealing with professionals — which makes all the difference.
It’s also critical to accept that the number one way to get better at networking is to get out there and do it simply. You can research and research, but nothing you're doing matters until you’re actually in the arena, talking to other professionals and thinking about how you can connect the dots and provide value. Take a leap and go to a local networking event.
Join Professional Organizations
Another great way to use professional networking is to join professional organizations. Professional organizations offer many benefits, including access to industry-specific news, information, and resources. These organizations also provide networking opportunities, which can help you meet other professionals in your field and expand your professional network. If you want to further your career, joining a professional organization is a great way to start.
Joining professional organizations can help your career in the following ways:
- Access to industry-specific news, information, and resources
- Networking opportunities
- Meeting other professionals in your field
- Expanding your professional network.
When you join a professional organization, you gain access to a wealth of resources that can help you further your career. These organizations also provide networking opportunities to help you meet other professionals in your field and expand your professional network. If you want to use professional networking to your advantage, joining a professional organization is a great place to start.
There are also online organizations worth looking into that can aid in professional networking for career growth. In some ways, online networking is a totally different beast than in-person networking. In others, it is identical. Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to networking online:
- Be professional — remember, this is still professional networking!
- Don’t be afraid to reach out to people you don’t know — that’s all about networking.
- Add value — offer help, advice, and resources whenever you can.
- Be responsive — when someone reaches out to you, respond promptly.
Use the Right Networking Tools
You can get buried in all the personal marketing and networking tools. But the most valuable ones are the ones that help you develop legit, deep relationships with your connections. One such networking tool is a digital business card.
How to Use Popl’s Digital Business Card For Professional Networking
In the era of technology, traditional paper business cards are fast becoming obsolete. Enter Popl — a smart and innovative solution for modern-day networking. Here’s a brief guide on using Popl's digital business card to strengthen your networking game!
1. Set Up Your Profile: Begin by downloading the Popl app. Once installed, create a profile by adding relevant details such as your name, profession, contact details, social media handles, and more. Think of this as your digital resume, all in one place!
2. Activate the Pop: The Popl device, usually a small tag or accessory, can be attached to your phone or carried separately. When you meet someone, simply tap or ‘pop’ your Popl against their phone. This action immediately shares your digital card. No app? No worries! They’ll receive a link to your online profile.
3. Go Green: Popl doesn’t just give you a technological edge; it’s an environmentally friendly alternative to paper cards. You’re not just networking but also contributing to a greener planet!
4. Update Anytime: Gone are the days of reprinting cards after changing a phone number. With Popl, update your details on the app, and you’re set!
Embrace the future of networking with Popl. It’s efficient, eco-friendly, and exceptionally cool. Happy networking!
Popl makes the best digital business cards in the market.
A digital business card is a great networking tool because it’s easy to share and includes more information than a traditional business card.
Plus, they’re eco-friendly, and you can track when and where your card is being shared. If you’re looking for a way to use professional networking to your advantage, using a digital business card is a great place to start.
Conclusion
Professional networking takes time and effort, but it’s worth it if you want to further your career. With the right attitude and approach, you can use professional networking to meet other professionals in your field, expand your professional network, and access industry-specific news, information, and resources. And don’t forget to use the right networking tools, like digital business cards, to make the most of your professional relationships.
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About Popl Teams: Popl Teams is a B2B SaaS platform created by Popl that helps organizations create, manage, and distribute digital business cards for their employees. Popl digital business cards allow instant sharing with the tap of an NFC-powered Popl device or by sending a personalized URL or QR code. Among other major benefits, Popl digital cards support contact management and in-person networking by helping users capture more leads using autofill forms. It automatically synchs with popular CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, and more.
This article originally appeared HERE on the Popl blog.
