Weekly Business Insights from Top Ten Business Magazines | Week 307 | Leading & Managing Section | 1

Extractive summaries and key takeaways from the articles curated from TOP TEN BUSINESS MAGAZINES to promote informed business decision-making | Since September 2017 | Week 307 | July 28-August 3, 2023

How To Build Your Network, According To Billionaire And Business Mogul Dr. Trisha Bailey

By Maya Richard-Craven | Forbes Magazine | August 1, 2023

Listen to the Extractive Summary of the Article

Did you know that 85% of jobs are filled through networking rather than traditional hiring?  Networking is one of the most important parts of building a career. It can be challenging for young professionals who don’t have connections or experience in their field. But there are plenty of ways to get to know more people in your industry.

Reach Out.  It’s important to take the initiative and reach out to professionals in your field. You can message people on LinkedIn or email them. Either way, making that first move matters. It can be scary to contact people you don’t know, but remember that older professionals have been where you are.  Maybe you don’t know anyone in the industry you plan to pursue. You might not even fully know what you want to do, or you may have multiple interests. Whether it’s a call or an in-person meeting, come with skills you can bring to the table.  Make sure that excellence becomes your brand,” says Dr. Bailey who owns 15 companies and has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years.

Follow Up.  Attending events and building short-term relationships isn’t enough. You have to maintain relationships in order to fully benefit from networking.   After a networking call or event, follow up with a thank you note via email. After a month, reach back out with questions. Never ask for a job, and always ask for advice. That can lead to a conversation about open jobs and any connections the person may have that can help you.

Join A Group.  Getting involved in a professional group can change the trajectory of your career. People are more likely to hire you if someone can vouch for you. You can get reference letters, introductions, and solid advice from other members.  And remember— don’t skip out on in-person events like conferences or happy hours. The more you speak with people in your industry the more you will learn.

Make Introductions.  Once you’ve started to develop your own professional relationships, start introducing people with similar interests. You may find that helping someone else will benefit you in the long-run. When you get on networking calls, think about if there are any introductions you can make based on the person’s line of work. Do you know anyone who may want to work for or with them? Is there anyone you could recommend they speak with to help develop their professional growth?  A huge part of networking is forming give-and-take relationships. People are more likely to help you if you can help them back. It is crucial that networking relationships are reciprocal.

2 key takeaways from the article

1. Did you know that 85% of jobs are filled through networking rather than traditional hiring?  Networking is one of the most important parts of building a career. It can be challenging for young professionals who don’t have connections or experience in their field. But there are plenty of ways to get to know more people in your industry.
2. The following can help:  Take the initiative and reach out to professionals in your field; After a networking call or event, follow up with a thank you note via email. After a month, reach back out with questions. Never ask for a job, and always ask for advice; get involved in a professional group; and Once you’ve started to develop your own professional relationships, start introducing people with similar interests. You may find that helping someone else will benefit you in the long-run.

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Topics:  Professional Development,  Branding, Career Planning, Networking