Common Networking Myths to Avoid

Networking can open doors…or close them. Avoid these 7 mistakes to make the right impression. 1. Only networking when you need something ❌ Don't: Wait until you're job hunting to build connections ✅ Do: Regularly engage with your network and build relationships before you need them 2. Neglecting to follow up on advice ❌ Don't: Take someone's advice and disappear ✅ Do: Take action on their suggestions and circle back to share your progress. Show them their time mattered 3. Dominating the conversation ❌ Don't: Dominate conversations with your own achievements ✅ Do: Ask thoughtful questions and practice active listening. Aim for 30% talking, 70% listening 4. Rushing to ask about jobs ❌ Don't: Don’t rush to ask about job openings right away ✅ Do: Focus on learning about their experience and building genuine rapport first 5. Ignoring online networking ❌ Don't: Treat LinkedIn as just a resume database ✅ Do: Engage meaningfully by commenting on posts, sharing relevant content, and celebrating others' milestones 6. Forgetting to add value ❌ Don't: Focus solely on what you can get from the relationship ✅ Do: Learn about their goals and actively look for ways to help them succeed 7. Letting connections fade ❌ Don't: Let valuable connections fade away ✅ Do: Create a simple system to track check-ins and send quick, personalized notes about their achievements The key to successful networking isn't just about making connections. It's about nurturing them. Reshare ♻ to help others in your network. And follow me for more posts like this.

Don’t DM people in your network just saying help me get a job. Don’t reach out asking if a recruiter is hiring and what would you would be a fit for. TELL them what reqs they have that you have skills for. That’s not their job. Don’t ask a hiring manager if you can “pick their brain” ewwww Don’t send a 4 page narrative on your life and career story and expect a response. DO…. Reach out with a personal email that’s clear, concise and shows that you know something about the person/company/job and can relate it to YOU. DO have specific jobs, titles, skills in mind and continue to discuss those DO send a note and ask about a specific opportunity. DO give 2 or 3 lines about who you are, and your ideal job. DO reach out to people who have similar jobs or hiring managers at companies who may not be hiring and explain you’d like to work for them or do what they do, and would like 20 minutes DO prepare for networking sessions like you would an interview and some with specific asks, specific questions, or specific updates. Show your value. Be bold. But don’t take the lazy way Be a good human

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 Networking is the secret weapon for career growth—but most people do it wrong. Are you making these mistakes? ❌ 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 – Networking is about 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔, not just job hunting. Engage consistently, not just when you need help. ❌ 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽 – Met someone at an event? Had a great chat on LinkedIn? If you don’t follow up, the connection fades. Send a quick message within 48 hours. ❌ 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 – Instead of just asking for help, 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 first. Share an article, make an introduction, or offer insights. ❌ 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 – If you’re only connecting with people in your industry or company, you’re limiting opportunities. Expand your reach. ❌ 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗧𝗶𝗲𝘀 – Studies show that opportunities often come from loose connections, not close ones. Stay engaged with acquaintances! Networking isn’t about collecting contacts—it’s about 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗶𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱? 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀! #CareerNetworking #NetworkingTips #professionalGrowth #LinkedInNetworking #ProfessionalGrowth #Promotion

Does networking feel like an exhausting chore? Here’s the truth: building valuable connections isn’t about being the loudest in the room; it’s about being intentional and strategic. 🔹 Common Networking Mistakes That Hurt Your Chances: ❌ Sending generic LinkedIn requests with no context. ❌ Asking to “pick someone’s brain” without offering value. ❌ Only reaching out when you need something. 🔹 What to Do Instead: ✅ Quality Over Quantity – Focus on a few meaningful connections rather than mass outreach. ✅ Shift from “Me” to “We” – Engage with their content, congratulate achievements, and build rapport before making an ask. ✅ Make Contact Meaningful – Instead of “Hi, can you help me?” try, “I loved your recent article on [topic]! Here’s another piece I found interesting. I would love to hear your thoughts.” ✅ Be Consistent – Networking isn’t a one-time event. Small, regular interactions build real relationships. The best part? Introverts excel at deep, meaningful connections, the kind that actually lead to career opportunities. Build connections over time, not overnight! 💜 #NetworkingTips  #ThrivingIntroverts