The following is a summary of Episode 55 of my podcast, The Engineering Career Coach (TECC) Podcast. I will summarize the main points in this post; however, you can also listen to the show through the website or by subscribing on iTunes. I offer a career-changing tip at the end of each podcast session.
Networking can be simply defined as building relationships, NOT just collecting business cards or contacts. Networking is important because not only will it bring you opportunities, it also creates relationships that you will enjoy throughout your engineering career and life. Regardless of your age and experience level, you should always be networking.
Here are seven strategies that will help you become a better networker:
- Build strong lasting relationships – Focus on the personal side of things like people’s interests and hobbies and not just what they are doing in their work.
- Be genuinely interested in people – Make a connection with them, stay engaged and don’t lose focus by checking your cellphone; don’t just have a meeting with someone to get something from them.
- Listen to others completely and acknowledge them – Do not cut people off, listen for the silence, and acknowledge people by repeating words that they say back to them.
- Give people value – Always be a resource to people and put their needs before yours.
- Join and get involved in professional associations – Volunteer for a leadership position in a professional association, which will foster connections with other people that are also volunteering.
- Join or get involved in community or outside associations – Be involved outside of your discipline, like in a local community group or your alumni association.
- Speak in front of an audience as much as possible – Get in front of people, meet the right people that you can build relationships with and grow your network.
What networking strategies have you applied in your engineering career and life?
Anthony Fasano, PE, author of Engineer Your Own Success, found success as an engineer at a very early age and now writes and podcasts to help other engineers do the same. Visit Anthony’s website at EngineeringCareerCoach.com to access all of the free engineering career resources he has created to help engineers succeed.