Want to Make Networking Part of Your Routine? Focus on Being Generous

We all know the importance of networking: According to a recent survey of hiring managers, 85% of all jobs are filled through the hidden job market, a combination of internal promotions and networking. Yet, for many working professionals and job seekers alike, networking is a soul-sucking process of going to events alone, trying to collect a ton of business cards, and coming home anxious and drained with a bunch of new "connections" that inevitably end up forgotten in the digital abyss.

Before landing my current gig at career-services nonprofit, I remember the pain of feeling like a leech all too vividly. How do I meet more people without seeming like I need something from them? How do I communicate a genuine interest in someone's work before following up with a request for an informational interview?

Networking doesn’t have to (soul) suck. When you identify what you have to offer others, you can open up a less draining, more personal way to network: through giving.

Stop treating networking as “putting a dollar in the relationship bank to withdraw someday” and focus more on what you can do for your network. Not only will you enter a path through establishing credibility and trust, but you'll also create opportunities to turn chance encounters into longterm one-on-one relationships. (And then, of course, you may find asking for a help yourself a lot easier when the time comes).

So how can you start networking through giving? We go over a few networking tips to make part of your routine now to make the payoff greater:

Networking Tip #1: Start offering your skills to colleagues and peers

I teach about how job seekers can effectively use LinkedIn at my career services job, and that niche (but useful) skill has provided me with opportunities to speak at events and trainings, meet a lot of amazing people, and feel like I have something useful to say in conversations. It's also how I'm able to write this Career Advice post on Idealist!

This is a technique all job seekers can adopt: Identify a useful skill for your field, then learn it and learn to articulate it. For example, I learned how to use LinkedIn from free online guides and webinars, then turned it into my niche skill by writing and speaking about networking tips, job search advice, and more on my blog and through my LinkedIn profile.

If you are struggling to identify a niche skill that could work, try asking yourself (or a friend or career counselor) these questions:

• What problems do your friends ask you to solve? Are you the go-to guy or gal when a computer freezes? When a cover letter needs to be edited? When they’re bored on the weekend and need something exciting to do? The answer to these questions could lead you to discover a niche skill in tech, communications, or event planning, respectively.
• How do current or former supervisors, colleagues, or professors describe you? What strengths do they point out immediately? Are these the same or different attributes than the ones hiring managers in your prospective field are looking for? Ask professional contacts to list a few of your positive attributes to help you hone in on what will make you stand out. Some descriptions could be that you're a great communicator, a natural leader, and fantastic public speaker, or a top-notch data analyst.
• What attracts you to the jobs you are applying to? Re-read the last 3-5 jobs you applied to that you really wanted. What are the specific skills they're looking for that you have (or want to learn)? What problems are these skills needed to solve? Think about how you can package these unique skills into an offer at a networking event or informational interview. Here are some examples: You're digitally-savvy who can help anyone get on the social media platforms they need to improve their organization's reach; You're a research whiz who can distill complex thoughts into engaging blog posts or resources; You're a people-person who can fundraise the heck out of an annual donation goal.

When the niche skill is well matched to a networking contact’s needs, it gives you a natural way to transform a one-time encounter into a long-term relationship. Just think: a new contact was recently tasked with designing their organization's graphic designs, even though they have never used Canva, Adobe, or similar platforms. Good thing they know you, an online creative with a whole host of templates just waiting to be shared and customized for their brand. Or, someone you meet at a networking event shares they want to get into the environmental sector. Luckily, you can introduce them to your friends from college, who all studied Environmental Science and now lead communications, development, or program management at various nonprofits.

Networking Tip #2: Check in every once in a while

Many social-impact professionals think their network is nonexistent, but this isn’t true. Your network is made up of past colleagues, classmates, friends, family members, and more! You just need to do a little work to keep those connections fresh.

What if, once a month, you sent an email to five people in your network? Just a little, "Hey, how's it going?" email to get a conversation going about what you're up to at work and in your personal life, and to find out what they're up to. In the realm of being generous, you may decide to offer your services if you have a light month and noticed someone needs a little support. For example, for any friends who were recently impacted by sector-wide layoffs, ask them what they're looking for in their next role and how you can help them find it.

By breaking down networking into manageable tasks—like a monthly email cadence, a short phone call or coffee run, or even a LinkedIn message—you can take away some of the dread that you may associate with it. Need a hand? Check out these networking templates on Idealist!

Networking Tip #3: Share your wins, and celebrate theirs, too!

My final tip for making networking part of your routine is definitely more fun—share your wins online. In the past, we've been taught to "sit down, be humble" and celebrate our hard work quietly, but that way of thinking is over. In the age of online connection, we're all encouraged to spend some time celebrating the wins that we fought for, and celebrate the achievements of others, too.

So the next time you hit a fundraising goal because of a new strategy, share it with your fellow development peeps. Let them know what you did that changed the game, and offer to talk to them about it more. If you're launching a new program or project, share it on LinkedIn or at a networking event so your connections can follow along as you build it from the ground up.

And the next time you see someone else share a win, don't be afraid to repost it, comment, or send a private message congratulating them.

These three tips for networking will open up a whole new world of relationship-building that is less blah and more yay! You will establish yourself as the “go-to” person to solve problems within your field, which will lead to more referrals to professionals and hidden job opportunities within your industry.

Most importantly, you will feel like a rock star instead of a leech. Although networking through giving should never be seen as “putting a dollar in the networking bank with the intention to withdraw it someday,” setting up a foundation of generosity, expertise, and likeability will put you in a much better position when it comes time for you to go to your network for help.

This article is part of a partnership between the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network and Idealist.

About the Author | Alyson Weiss works for a career services nonprofit in Boston doing outreach and communications. She is deeply interested in translating complex social justice issues into accessible, actionable items; social media; Netflix marathons; and food trucks. Find her on LinkedIn or Twitter to start a conversation about social media marketing, professional development opportunities for young professionals, or why Twitter is like “Aaron's Party.”