Anybody who wants to get ahead needs to network.

Think about that statement. Chances are you’ve heard it before, but how much have you taken it to heart? If you’re not comfortable in social situations, you might have brushed this off a few times.

Perhaps you’ve told yourself your high quality of work alone will get you where you want to go. You feel you’re already meeting enough people on the job who have influence. Or maybe you’re just trusting fate to be in the right place at the right time.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way. There is no fairy godmother to wave a magic wand and make all your dreams come true.

At some point, you’re going to have to network.

Here’s why:

Networking Takes Your Job to New Heights

While hard work is a good thing and will look good on your annual performance review, it’s still no guarantee you’ll move up in a company.

This is usually because this kind of movement requires additional training. Sadly, not many workplaces provide these opportunities, leaving you to pursue further education on your own. Even knowing what opportunities are available becomes a problem if you don’t know the right people or questions to ask.

Having mentors or advisors to steer you in the right direction becomes crucial. Also, these are the individuals who will tell it like it is. They’ll give you an honest assessment of where you are in your job. They will tell you what skills you need to work on and help you to create a plan of attack to get you where you want to go.

Where do you find these mentors? Through networking.

Networking Allows You to Succeed Within Your Workplace

Networking with your coworkers has many advantages.

For example, being connected to someone who’s been at the company for a while can give you the inside scoop on how things get done. They help you to learn who the players are, and who’s going to be the most valuable members of your team.

Your coworkers also have inside information you might not discover otherwise.

For example, they might give you a heads up on a new job that might be opening. If you’re planning a shift to a new area, having someone with an ear to the ground can give you valuable information that might not yet be advertised anywhere.

Also, your connections can involve you on those pet projects you’re desperate to become part of or throw your name into the ring when someone asks them who they would recommend for a certain task.

Networking Can Help You on the Job Hunt

Wanting to make a career change? Networking will get you where you want to go.

Having connections within a company you’ve wanted to work at can help you find out when a position is opening up – sometimes even before they’ve made the fact public.

Also, if you’ve built strong relationships, you might even get a referral which will put your application on the top of the pile.

Simply having a mentor who works in a field you’d like to break into, will help guide you how to get there. They’ll even give you some advice on how to word your resume or application, making you an even more appealing prospect.

Hopefully, after reading through all this, you’ve come to see \ why networking matters.

It’s the means through which you affect change in your job situation. More than that, networking puts people into your life you need to do your job well and to get ahead.

In short, Networking creates your team and sets you on the path to success. It’s pretty exciting, especially when you consider all the places you’d like to go someday.

Ready to give it a try? Then it’s time to make a game plan - designed precisely for you!

If you want to know how to set up your network strategically join my course SHOW UP! See you soon!

Pin this graphic if you liked the post.

Get your free SHOW UP! LinkedIn Workbook!

Related posts: