Networking is a critical part of everyone’s career. Develop a networking plan for yourself to strengthen or improve your position within your current organization or if you are looking for a new position, a networking plan to help you get your dream job. At minimum, you should have the following in your plan:
- What are your purpose and goals of networking?
- How will you track your efforts?
- Do you understand the tiers within your community? (decision-makers and influencers)?
- With whom is it important to establish a relationship and how do you plan to go about it?
- What kind of events should you attend and what are some activities in which you should participate?
- How effectively are you using LinkedIn? What could or should you do to improve your presence there?