Did you know that 85% of positions are filled by networking! However, 25% don’t invest time in any networking. Is this you?
Networking is a give-and-take process that involves making connections, sharing information, and asking questions. It’s about building relationships through your contacts and should become part of your daily work. Networking is especially important for Surveying professionals. With Surveyors in demand across the UK, this is a chance for you to grow your career and progress!
As a surveyor, your career network shouldn’t just be in place when you’re searching for a new role. It should also help to keep you up to date with new policies, thinking and technologies.
What counts as Networking?
Networking can happen anywhere, not just at surveyor networking events. Any meeting, conference, talk where there are people that you want to meet, to ask questions of or advice. Networking is two ways!
Networking is not just face-to-face either. Platforms such as LinkedIn are an ideal place to take part in conversations and follow people you admire or companies you would like to work for in the future.
What’s your attitude towards networking?
Although 79% of professionals believe that networking is valuable for career progression, only 48% are saying they keep in touch with their network. So why is this?
The reasons behind the downfall in networking are due to many reasons. 49% of professionals believe they do not have the time to network with others. Many professionals already struggle to have a positive work-life balance, and therefore, networking tends to be pushed to the back of their minds.
Another reason is due to the move to virtual networking. In the past, networking mainly took place in person, at events and conferences. But, as the pandemic hit, these in-person events moved online. This became a whole new world for those who had never explored the virtual world before. With little experience, this puts professionals off – talking to a person behind a screen isn’t the same as face-to-face.
Why should you be networking?
Job Searching
Online or in person, the main benefit of networking is that it helps with job searches. Whether it’s getting insight into a new surveyor role that hasn’t yet been advertised or asking others to keep their eyes out for a role that may suit you. Rather than searching for a job alone, you have others to help which makes the task easier.
Top of the CV pile
Networking can also help bring your CV to the top of the pile. If you’re recommended by a connection or have a reference from a recognised name, your application is likely to stay higher on the application profile and stay in the hiring manager’s mind.
Meeting Others
Networking helps to meet people like you! Whether it’s your specialism in Surveying or a show you’re watching now, networking is likely to bring more people like you, onto your path. By making these connections with other professionals, you can help each other out both personally and professionally.
How to Network
You may be struggling to find time to network, but even setting aside ten minutes a day can help. Creating new connections improves your knowledge and skills. With more knowledge and experience, you can apply for those roles with more rewards which do include a better work/life balance. Spend ten minutes a day speaking and connecting with others and reap the rewards!
Effort
- RICS is always hosting events for networking, both online and in person. When attending, you should always put in to get out. Meeting a networking contact means you are starting a two-way conversation – they will want to benefit from you too. You will get the same amount of effort you put in, so you shouldn’t take any new contacts you make for granted.
No expectations
- You shouldn’t have any expectations. If you’re looking to get a new role, or even a promotion out of your networking, you’re more likely to put people off from being too pushy. You may even miss out on connections that you’d find more fulfilling in the long term.
Being Genuine
- You should be genuine when networking. Being yourself during networking events will make the whole process more productive and a lot less stressful.
How to Network on LinkedIn
1. Target Audience
Defining your target audience allows you to narrow down possible connections. LinkedIn allows you to search for specific keywords to help find potential connections. This is also helpful if your need specific skills to scale your enterprise – e.g., you’d like to learn more about a specific specialism within surveying.
2. Help, don’t sell
When you are making an approach, remember your environment. LinkedIn is a social networking platform intended to build relationships not to sell yourself hard. Let the connection know what you can bring to the table to help them solve a problem for their business e.g., you may have more knowledge in that area of surveying. You should also listen to the people you are approaching. This helps you to understand their needs and form the basis of a long-term partnership, or even friendship!
3. Polish your profile
By updating and polishing your profile, you’re making yourself stand out from the crowd. Professionals you’re connecting with may receive countless introductions from others so you will need to stand out.
4. Short and sweet
You’re probably not the only professional wanting to make that connection with another. Therefore, the key is to keep messages short and sweet and straight to the point. Brief message requests lead to greater response rates.
Check out our other posts on future networking events as well as learn how to progress your career as a surveyor!
