In the era of influencers and social media, where every individual has electronic devices and exposure to communicate to millions of people with just a click on their screens. Gone are the days when people used to connect with each other at social events or certain occasions. Today is the era when you can connect with people from thousands of miles away by liking their pictures on Instagram, or by connecting with them on LinkedIn and various other social media platforms. This is something called, “Networking”.
How Important Is Networking?
It is a time of hype houses and sway houses where youngsters connect with each other based on the number of followers they have and create content together. It is difficult to ignore that so many youngsters were brought together just with the power of networking.
Networking is a powerful tool. Whether you want to be a researcher for a hotshot organization or an aspiring actor or a photographer for a magazine. There are various opportunities for you out there in the world, but it does not matter what you are capable of or not. The trick to getting your foot in the door is who you know and what influential power they have.
Always Smile:
Frowning or showcasing a negative attitude never gets you anywhere. You should always leave an impact on others so that the next time they see you or need something, you might be the suitable option they remember.
The Art Of Listening:
Always listen to understand When you are networking with people it’s all about building connections and pitching yourself to them. So, listen, pay attention, and take advantage of the information.
Retain Your Old Relations:
You never know how far a quick conversation might take you. The best way for young people to build their network is by retaining their old relations. Your old friends from high school and college. Your mentors who shaped your future years in one way or another. People you might have met while going on industry visits. Who knows that one guest lecturer remembered you still because you had an impactful conversation and might give way to your dream job.
Life is very random and knowing people and keeping contact with them in the aftermath would turn out to be valuable in most cases.
Be Yourself:
It is very important to be authentic. People can sense your pretentious attitude. How long would you pretend? Your uniqueness combined with your networking will get you far but if you create a self who is not even real, what person would want to invest in you?
Networking Is Not Always Selfish:
Sometimes you should do things without expecting anything in return. Yes, you might associate networking with selfishness. You might think that networking is useful only if you want to get somewhere in your life via those networks that you developed. But many times, it might nurture habits that you never knew you needed. For example, strike a conversation with someone while you are out on a walk which might not lead to anything bigger than just those few minutes of wisdom, they will provide you with.
The point of inculcation of such activities in your daily life is to appreciate people who might have had a positive impact on your life. Practising things like such from a young age develops a certain set of skills which down the line turn into instincts. Let this way networking can be turned into not only a doorway to your future but also a morale booster.
Rati Ramadas Girish
Mansi Zaveri
Parul Gupta
Dr Manjari Rao
Rushita Sheth
