Speaking at Workplace

Networking at workplace

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Section A: Definition

Networking involves the exchange of ideas and information among individuals who usually have a common career or special interest. The relationships you have built up and maintained in this way may lead to beneficial consequences for your future career.

Section B: Purpose

Networking is an essential aspect of career advancement. It can be used to enlarge your circles of acquaintances, help you explore job opportunities, maintain the relationships with people whom you may do business with in the future, and enhance your awareness of the latest trends in various fields along your career path.

Section C: Content

There are quite a number of different channels of networking, including joining professional groups, attending activities in your field, interacting with individuals through online media, developing the relationships with people you know such as your colleagues or even your boss, and those you know from other companies. You can also post your ideas on your blog, communicate with people through email or WhatsApp, or even have a meal with them at times.

Section D: Things to consider

1. Begin with those who are close to you in your work

Always start with the people you are familiar with first. Throughout your work, you may have many chances to interact with them such as preparing for a presentation together, doing a team project, having regular meetings, etc. You can also informally chat with your colleagues in the coffee break, or ask them out for lunch or dinner.

2. Keep in touch with the people you know

Besides your colleagues, keep in contact with your acquaintances from time to time in order to let them know that you still remember them. They may be someone you know from your job including your clients or people from other companies. Alternatively, they may be your schoolmates in kindergarten, primary school, secondary school or university, your former colleagues or other professionals you know.

3. Enlarge your social circle

There may be people you don’t know but you want to know very much: those in or not in your career field. Try to find out ways to get to know them. Perhaps they are friends of your friends. You don’t need to keep in contact with them immediately. However, it is always good to keep in mind how to be in touch with them when the opportunity arises. Moreover, you can see if there are any professional groups or associations you can join so as to enlarge your social circle. This will definitely be beneficial to your future career path.

4. Make use of the online channels

Of course, there are various seminars you need to attend about your career. Nevertheless, in these few years, because of the pandemic, webinars are becoming more and more popular. Therefore, attend these and get hold of different contacts from people online. Even social media such as Facebook and Instagram may be useful for having more acquaintances. Writing blogs will also let people know more and more about your existence.

5. Try to grasp the chance of volunteering

If you can, volunteer for the tasks your company requests any staff to do such as a project or teamwork to show your good manner in your work. Don’t be scared of collaborating and sharing with others. Apart from this, taking up voluntary services is another way to know more people.

6. Be positive and friendly

Always demonstrate a good attitude when you meet people. Be respectful, patient and polite, and let them know that you can be of help to them anytime they need. Try to remember names. In this way, most people will be willing to keep in touch with you

7. Don’t show any negative attitude

This is the opposite of the previous tip. Remember not to give any negative comments on anyone or any company. You never know if there is any chance of these comments being passed to relevant individuals. In addition, don’t make others feel that you are always gossiping, complaining or criticising, as they may doubt whether you will talk about them negatively in front of other people.

Exercise

Watch a YouTube video about workplace networking and answer the questions.

Title: Professional Development: Networking in the Workplace

Channel: KnowledgeWave

Building mutually beneficial links where you can learn from and benefit from each other and the relationship

Professional organizations

Your skills, your knowledge and your wisdom

Listen to what others are saying and to their needs

Type in the association for what you are looking for

How you made them feel

Networking for People Who Hate Networking

Further References

1. The Power of Meaningful Networking

Andrew Griffiths shares his tips on how to become a good networker and make use of meaningful opportunities along your career path.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-30m8D6gTrg

2. Ten Tips for Building Stronger Networks in Work and Life

This website gives information on how to keep in touch with those people in your network and how to introduce them to others who will be very helpful to you.

https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/ten-tips-building-stronger-networks-work-life

3. Professional Networking: Why It Matters and How to Build Your Network

In this webpage, there is information on what professional networking is, its benefits and some useful tips on this issue.

https://builtin.com/career-development/professional-networking

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