The Art of Networking amidst these Changing Times

What is Networking?

Did you know, that if you take the “Queen Bee” out of a hive, the entire hive relocates in a single day? Just like an entire colony of Ants gets alarmed when a single ant discovers food. These are mere examples stating that networking underlies the basic survival instincts of all evolved and retrogressed species. And on witnessing the cataclysmic scenario of the present world, it’s this sense of survival that’s keeping us all alive in this pandemic.

Networking is the process of forging connections amongst a community, sighting for a communal enhancement and advancement of society as a whole. From getting your groceries to medicines to every basic substance required for our lives to work substantially as they do, there is a wide, wide chain of networks laid out to make a delivery to your doorstep possible.

For an individual searching for a job opportunity, networking becomes an integral skill. Through interacting with people, one can keep a pulse on the job market. This would enable a person to stay in touch with the current trends, meet prospective clients, seek partners and mentors.

Besides improving one’s skill set, networking allows you access to the stratagem, necessary for fostering a successful prospect in your career development.

How to start Networking amidst this pandemic?

If you consider a time before this catastrophic pandemic hit us, networking implied much use of the physical presence of individuals. Since networking is a process based on social skills, a physical presence provided for a stronger connection and offered much more closure to the involved parties. With the elimination of any mode of physical presence, expanding and building a network for a beginner seem a task next to impossible. You’re stuck, offices closed, growing scarcity of jobs, increasing termination of employees, all sum up in this race to excel and land a decent job opportunity, with even scarce resources. But, as it is rightly said, “where there’s a will, there’s away! Allow me to be a bit more specific.

It’s been a decade since the advancement of social media has laid its foundation in our country. People are more actively a part of it than ever. In my opinion, we and this technology are like a raft in a river. Social media is like a river, constantly flowing and ever-expanding. Just like it’s upon the helmsman to steer the raft away from strong currents, make sure he’s in control of the water at every time and channel the raft to the finish, it’s upon us to use social media to bridge the gap created by this pandemic.

You aren’t allowed to leave your house, but that doesn’t stop you from growing your network. Platforms like Linkedin, Instagram, Facebook are marvelous means to connect to people. For people like me, who associate with creative fields, this is a tailor-made situation. You can publish your creations and convey them to an infinite audience. Growing your portfolio and presenting it in a sophisticated manner allows you to be scouted out of a pool of applicants.

FaceTime, Google Meet, Zoom are the new networking norms. If you want to be updated, it’s beneficial to stay in touch with the experts of your specific industry. Bring value first to those you network with. Schedule recurring meetings, with a simple agenda of reviewing relevant activity from the previous meetings. This would help to portray that you actually bring something to this endeavor.

You’re connected to more people than you think! Rekindle your relationships with your old friends, batchmates, and seniors. Be a part of social Zooms. Express yourself and explore different circumstances. The more you yearn, the more you learn. Write blogs, express your creativity to anyone and everyone present out there. There are numerous platforms that allow you to do this. Join such platforms and work actively to gather eyes. You never know what effort can be the push you need to fly ahead.

Reach out to people. Being an introvert would sabotage your every effort. There is no harm in being wrong, or on being called out. Moreover, there is no physical harm too, you’re in the comfort of your home. Remember, healthy communication is the basis of any network. Proceed with empathy and compassion and behold as the gates to success open in your way.

As Herminia Ibarra said, “Networking is a lot like fitness and nutrition: we know what to do, the hard part is making it a top priority “. It all comes down to the zeal of an individual. If paths can be carved out of mountains…..anything is possible!