How millennials can grow their Network

In today's world, it is all about who you know, and growing your professional network is a big part of doing business. For millennials, this can be more of a challenge, as many of them are newer to the workforce and just starting to get their careers going.

In this post we'll help you

1. Make Yourself Valuable: When connecting with others, let them do the talking first. When they speak, see how you can add value to their idea, project, or business. You'll get further in networking when others see you as a resource and not an opportunist. And don't be eager, be interested!

2. Build Authentic Connections:Take the time to build authentic connections with people. It's easy to create a false reality by growing your number of social media connections. However, the real question is not how many connections you have but how engaged in your success are your connections. Look for ways to serve and add value to your network.

3. Leave A Stellar First Impression:People make instant judgments on us by their first impression. Your body language is just as important as what you say. To connect from the beginning, make sure your hands are visible and you have a great handshake, which builds trust. Make eye contact and smile, which helps you connect. And keep a high-power posture, which shows confidence.

4. Work Hard And Say "Yes": For networking, millennials should certainly be leveraging LinkedIn, building relationships, going to events, and introducing themselves to people. However, one of the best things they can do that's in their control is work hard and take on projects as they come up. If they work hard, their leaders will start introducing them to more and more people. This is a hearty way to grow a network.

5. Be Humble And Open To Suggestions: You’re smart, but there are others who are way smarter than you. Always remember that. Don’t let arrogance cloud your judgment. Be humble! Listen to those who have more experience than you. What they tell you might not work for you, but you might get to know the pitfalls even before you walk that path. 

6. Get Personal: When you have the opportunity to meet with someone, show up and bring it. Do your homework so you know where they went to school and if they are a sports fan or an epicurean. Be prepared to ask questions about their business. Before you leave, politely ask if they know someone else you should meet. Always, send a handwritten thank-you note, and even better, something they'd personally appreciate.

7. Mix It Up: Millennials should look at a variety of avenues to build their networks inside and outside the area of their primary career focus. The key is to have a clear, focused message that explains who they are and what they're hoping to achieve. Volunteering is a great way to mix up your networking efforts. You never know who you will meet and the impact they will have on your career and life.

8. Be Strategic And Giving: First, decide who you want to connect with and why, and who you already know who can connect you. Having a strategy can help you use your resources and time wisely. Second, pay attention and try to understand how you can help the people you meet. You will be much more memorable if you genuinely listen to someone and offer them something in return, even if it's just a simple thank-you note!

9. Leverage The "Testimonial Economy": We now live in the "testimonial economy," where what we say about ourselves no longer matters much (we can thank the self-promoters and self-anointed experts for that). Instead, what others say about us now carries 90% of the weight. So deliberately connect with and build mutually-beneficial relationships with those who will someday serve as advocates of your personal mission, and vice versa.

10. Network On Both Sides Of The Screen: Online networking is all the rage, but it also gives us a false sense of association. The number of connections you have on LinkedIn doesn't mean a thing! We must come out from behind the computer screen and nurture relationships. Who would you align to an opportunity: someone whose content you've read online or someone you've interacted with in person who made an authentic impression on you?