Finding fresh and exciting ways to broaden your professional network will help you build connections with people who can assist you on your professional journey. Here are eight tips for expanding your professional network.
Why is it vital to create a professional network?
Here are a few reasons why creating a network is essential:
Connect with industry professionals to review your CV.
• Exploring new work prospects at various companies.
• Identifying learning opportunities to enhance your skills.
• Understanding industry changes.
• Receiving recommendations for work improvement.
8 Ways to Grow Your Professional Network
1. Talk to your family and friends
While you may not want to work with your friends and family, don't dismiss them as a networking opportunity. There may be people in their network with whom you would be unable to connect otherwise. So, don't be shy and seize this wonderful opportunity.
2. Attend networking events
Online or in-person networking events can help you get in front of industry leaders and meet essential people to form long-term connections. You might meet a potential hiring manager—or possibly your next mentor—at one of these events as well.
3. Get Social
Use social media to expand your professional network, even if it's not your preferred platform. Of course, Instagram is the most effective professional social media tool. But you can also try the Diffr community, where you can meet new artists, and like-minded people, showcase your work, and get hired.
Having a completely optimized Diffr profile is vital for a variety of reasons, but it is only one component of your networking strategy. Join various social media groups and thoughtfully participate in discussions. Giving helpful advice suggests that you're someone other group members want in their network. Over time, that bond could be beneficial to both of you.
4. Connect with former coworkers
If you left your prior job on good terms, consider contacting your former coworkers or your boss. If nothing else, you can catch up on old times and learn about what's new and exciting at your previous company. If they have gone on, you never know who or what they know, so it may be worthwhile to reconnect.
5. Join professional organizations
In addition to joining LinkedIn groups, consider joining professional organizations or associations in your sector, both online and offline. This makes it easy to connect with those who understand what you do.
6. Think outside your industry
Of course, networking with people in your business is a fantastic place to start. But, to truly expand your business network, develop contacts outside of it!
Expanding your networking activities beyond your career field will help you grow professionally. It's a unique method to meet others who may not do what you do but can provide important advice on navigating the office, allowing you to broaden your knowledge beyond your industry and learn more about different fields, potentially sparking a career shift!
Read More: How Networking Can Build Your Creative Career- 7 Tips
7. Volunteer
Volunteering allows you to give back to causes that you believe in. It is also a unique approach to expanding your professional network.
Working side by side with others who support the same cause as you can build connections that you would not be able to forge through traditional networking circumstances.
8. Connect with your alumni association
Your alumni association is an excellent and sometimes overlooked career resource. For starters, alumni associations frequently organize networking events for its members. These could be for certain job categories or just general networking. However, even outside of networking-specific events, interacting with individuals who graduated from the same college is an instant conversation starter that may lead to a substantial and long-term network.
Diffr is a creative networking and job search platform that allows users to search for connections in their field, view profiles of industry professionals, and join relevant groups. Users can also use Diffr to share interesting material, interact with influencers, and create conversations.
Furthermore, there are several tools available on Diffr that allow users to stay current on the newest trends and news in their industry.
