Note: In honor of International Coaching Week (May 17–23, 2021.), which is all about showcasing the value of working with a professional coach and how that relationship helps you see real results and progress, I’m sharing a special training with you. It’s called Reach Your Career Peak. For 10 days, I’ll be sharing tips and tactics designed to help you reach the top of your career field. I’m also giving away a FREE e-book and workbook if you want to work along with me. If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments here or on social media where I’m posting a series of video trainings as well. 

It’s day 5. We’ve reached the half-way point in my “Reach Your Career Peak” special series.

Today we’re building off of yesterday and talking more about effective networking.

Effective networking is your key to career success. You might think networking is hard work, or maybe you don’t even like the word, as it has become a byword for shallow insincerity. But true networking doesn’t have to be a clinical assembling of people from who you can profit. Networking based on real connection can help you achieve your goals and find success. Authentic networking formed on good relationships is an effective strategy. Here are some expert tips for building genuine relationships to kickstart your success.

Reframe your definition of networking

If you reframe networking into relationship-building, chances are you will approach it with a very different frame of mind. You’re not collecting business cards for the sake of it but meeting new people and connecting with them. Find what you have in common and take it from there.

Set a goal

Be strategic in your networking and have a goal in mind when you’re building relationships. You’re not networking for the sake of it but to get you closer to achieving your goal. That doesn’t mean you will be exploiting your new contacts, but it does mean that you’re not aimlessly connecting with whoever comes along.

Think of your dream job or project.  Do you want to be running your own business, have an A grade clients list, be earning a six-figure salary? Wherever you want to be in five- or ten-years’ time, write it down.

Make a plan

Once you know where you want to be, you need a plan to get there and a role for your network. Think if the steps you need to take, the intermediate goals you need to achieve, and whose help you need to get there. What mentors, coaches or peer buddies do you need? What sort of advocates or investors will help you achieve your goal? Who is in your network that could be your future dream clients or partners?

Building your focused network

Once you know who you need to have on your side to achieve your goals, you can start to build authentic relationships and grow your strategic network.

People love being asked for advice and appreciate feeling heard. Ask insightful questions and practice your active listening. Pay particular attention to what people are telling you, making eye contact and mirror body language. These are not tricks, but effective ways of building trust and fostering good relationships.

By finding the true points of connection and being a respectful listener, you will develop authentic relationships that are more than just contacts. And you will be on your way to achieving your goals.

Your Reach the Peak action for today

Along with the questions above, is to think about your current connections. Think of five people you need to build a better professional relationship with? Once you’ve narrowed it down, make a plan to reach out to each of them this week.

Seventy percent of companies say they’d rather hire someone who comes from an internal referral. That’s why building your connections is so important. Want more help now building your network? Inside the Career Accelerator there’s

• The Building Your Network is dedicated to helping you grow your network because it’s so important.
• Use the workbook to create a vibrant professional network that will grow with you throughout our career.
• Personalize the e-mail template included to reach out to digital contacts who are in your industry or at places you’re interested in working. You can reach out successfully and not feel spammy.
• Fill out the Begin Connecting Checklist to make sure you aren’t overlooking vital contacts in your personal life too.

Now, imagine accessing all of those tactics and strategies for only$1!

That’s right, for only $1 you get unrestricted access to everything inside the Career Accelerator. What do you have to lose? Give the Career Accelerator a try today and see how to successfully navigate today’s competitive workplace.

There’s still time for you to get your FREE copy of my E-book, The Peak: Reaching the Top of Your Field E-book and Workbook you can use as we go through this training. Just fill out the form below and it’ll arrive in your in box.  

Want more?

Join my private Successfully Ever After Facebook Group for trainings and information designed for success-seekers.

Check out my audio books: Get Noticed, Get Hired or When In Doubt, Delete It!

Join my membership site The Career Accelerator and fast track your career.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch quick tips to help your job search or make yourself promotable.