The importance of networking for the growth and advancement of one’s career has been propagated enough. And for all right reasons whom you know matters as much as what you know if not more. But how to grow your professional network? Is the number of connections in your LinkedIn account is all that matters?

Well, no.

Here are 7 tips that can help you ace professional networking for a successful job search.

1. Distinguish between personal and professional networking.

As they say, keep your personal demeanor distinct from the professional aspect. Professional networking demands soft skills, etiquette and behavior different than the casual tonality of personal networking. It’s essential to understand the difference between two for efficient and effective networking.

2. Don’t merely seek help, offer help too.

Networking is all about growing together. There is nothing wrong with seeking help from colleagues and your network. Yet, don’t always be on the receiving end. Offer help to colleagues and your network in any way that seems possible for you. Networking is not a one-time activity, you need to perform it actively, every day to gain its true benefits.

3. Don’t network occasionally, make it a habit.

As mentioned earlier, networking should be performed actively, every day. If connecting and interacting with people doesn’t come naturally to you, you can lay an action plan to make it smooth and easy for you. For instance, your goal can be anything like connecting with 10 new people every week. It’s all about slow and steady steps to make your network strong and meaningful.

4. Getting a connection is just a half-done job.

Don’t stop after making a connection. Involve in regular follow-ups to get the true benefit of the newly formed network. For instance, you can send a thank you message on LinkedIn after forming a connection. Further, you can initiate a conversation by introducing yourself and the skill sets and job roles you specialize in.

5. Every connection should add value.

The value may not always be tangible but the existence of some gainful values is the must. It can be anything like learning something new, exploring new opportunities together or offering them a benefit of your service. The LinkedIn connection list should be rich in quality rather than quantity.

6. Don’t be too direct.

There should be a touch of personal touch while developing a professional network. Yet when it comes to seeking opportunities for job or help, don’t be too direct. It is extremely rude to form a connection for a one-way benefit. If you wish to nurture your network for years, don’t start off wrong by being too direct.

7. Make use of myriads of social network.

Use social media to your benefit. Don’t limit our use to LinkedIn. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook also offers great opportunities to grow and develop a professional network.

So how well are you playing your networking game?

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