People keep on saying how networking is important to your career development.
Now, networking events do not always mean formal cocktail dinners or fancy award nights. Anything from a casual meetup over coffee with a few people, career fairs, or even virtual webinars can be counted as networking events.
#1 It helps to build your confidence.
Learning how to speak and communicate with different industry professionals is a vital skill to have. Attending networking events means you will be meeting and connecting with people from your chosen industry. This is your chance to learn from their experiences and ask for career advice. You can also practice your elevator pitch with them and seek out tips for improvements. Connecting with these top industry leaders can be a confidence booster, especially for younger professionals.
#2 It helps you to expand your network in the industry.
Well, of course attending networking events will allow you to expand your industry network. By attending events like meetups and conferences, you can meet other professionals who may be working on similar projects. This is your opportunity to learn from their expertise, exchange knowledge, and share your ideas. This may also be a platform for you to learn about new trends in your industry.
#3 It can help to open up doors to new opportunities.
It does not matter if you are actively seeking or if you are in a job that you love. It is always a good idea to stay on top of the job market and to be aware of what opportunities are available. Career fairs, trade shows, and conferences are great platforms to check out new and upcoming opportunities in your industry and learning more about new companies and organizations. Who knows, maybe your future employer might be there?
#4 It can help to inspire and motivate you.
When you see and listen to other people’s achievements and successes, chances are that you will be more motivated to achieve the same level of success in your life. Attending networking events can be especially useful. As humans, we tend to relate more to people who are like us. When you see someone who share similar background succeeding, it can inspire you to do more with your life.
#5 To build your personal brand and increase visibility.
With so many competition in the job market, it is crucical to stand out. If you are actively attending networking events and connecting with industry leaders, it can contribute to your personal brand and help you to be more visible to potential recruiters. For younger professionals, this can greatly influence your career trajectory for the first 10-15 years. After all, people do say “Out of sight, out of mind“. The more you show up and attend these events, the more people are going to remember you.
#6 To hone your own message and gain more clarity.
Attending networking events provide you with ample opportunities to practice your pitch. How will you introduce yourself to a stranger? What would you tell them about yourself and your background? How do you talk about your skills and experiences? If you run a business, how would you pitch your business to potential investors? All of these require a lot of practice to get it right, and even so, it will never be perfect. Networking events are thus the perfect place for you to practice and hone your message for future job interviews.
Come and join us for some coffee, good pastries, and even better conversation!
If you want to kickstart your networking experience with a casual, chill event, come and join us on Saturday, 23 September 2023 at The Vocation, Menara UOA Bangsar. We will be hosting our first panel & networking event, catering to young professionals who are aspiring or will be stepping into their first managerial role. Learn from our esteemed panelists and connect with other like-minded individuals over fresh coffee and delicious pastries.
We look forward to meeting you there! 🙂