How to Network for HR Career Advancement

Most people tell you to network, but they don’t teach you how. Here’s what you can do: 🔹 Quality Over Quantity: Before attending, study the event's attendee list and identify 2-3 people you want to meet. This focused approach can lead to deeper, more meaningful conversations. I’ve recently done this myself at a TED event. 🔹 Adopt a Giving Mindset: Offer to share your expertise or resources. For example, if someone is working on a project you have experience with, volunteer to provide insights or introduce them to someone who can help. This shows you're invested in their success. 🔹 Research Smartly: Look into their recent projects or publications. If your contact has recently published a paper or given a talk, read it and mention specific points you found intriguing or valuable. This demonstrates genuine interest and sets you apart. 🔹 Make the First Move: Send a message acknowledging a challenge they mentioned in a public forum or LinkedIn comment. For example: "Hi [Name], I saw your post about the challenges of remote team management. I've faced similar issues and found that regular virtual coffee breaks helped. Would love to share more if you're interested. Best, [Your Name]" 🔹 Build a Habit: Set a weekly reminder to engage with your network on social media. This could be liking, commenting on, or sharing posts from your contacts. Regular engagement keeps you top of mind and builds a foundation for deeper connections. Tomorrow’s newsletter is packed with actionable insights to turn casual contacts into valuable connections. ➡ Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eE-aFmFy 💜 Career Well-being is the best work-life newsletter, according to my readers! Join us! #NetworkingTips #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #careerbutterfly #CareerWellbeing

Step 7: Network Strategically – Opportunities Often Come Through People, Not Just Applications Let’s be real in today’s economy, simply submitting applications and hoping for the best isn’t enough. The reality is that networking plays a crucial role in landing your dream role. I can confidently say that both my roles at Microsoft and Accenture didn’t come just from applications; they came through relationships and strategic networking. Building meaningful connections helped me unlock opportunities I wouldn’t have found otherwise. Here’s how you can network strategically to land your next opportunity: 1️⃣ Leverage LinkedIn Effectively • Connect with recruiters and tech professionals at your target companies—don’t just hit “connect,” personalize your messages! • Engage with content in tech-related groups, share your insights, and participate in industry discussions. This keeps you on recruiters’ radar. 2️⃣ Reach Out with Purpose • Don’t be afraid to send personalized messages to professionals asking for informational interviews or career advice. • Reach out to alumni from your school who are working in your desired industry. A shared connection can go a long way in getting valuable insights or even a referral. 3️⃣ Attend Events and Engage with the Community • Participate in hackathons, webinars, and networking events to meet like-minded professionals and potential employers. • Get involved in communities like Meetup, Stack Overflow, or Slack groups, conferences where you can learn from others and expand your network. Networking isn’t just about asking for opportunities; it’s about building relationships, offering value, and staying visible in your industry. If you’re actively job searching, invest time in strategic networking. The right connection could be the key to your next opportunity. What networking strategies have worked for you? Let’s share tips below! Stay tuned for the next post in this series, where I’ll discuss interview preparation techniques that can help you stand out. #Networking #CareerGrowth #TechCareers #JobSearchTips #MicrosoftCareers #AccentureLife #CareerSuccess #RelationshipBuilding #LinkedInNetworking #Hackathons #NetworkingStrategies #JobHunting2025 #ProfessionalGrowth #TechCommunity #Meetup

The most important career advice I NEVER got? Relationships unlock opportunity. The difference between professionals who plateau and those who thrive often comes down to one thing: the strength of their networks. Easier said than done. Even if I had understood this, I would have needed guidance on HOW to do it. Real network-building requires intention, generosity, and authentic human connection. After years of trial and error, I've identified 20 strategies that consistently create powerful professional relationships. Here are 10. The rest are in the visual. 1. Practice the 5-minute favor rule ↳ When meeting someone new, ask yourself, "What can I do in 5 minutes that would meaningfully help this person?" ↳ Example: Send a relevant article or make a quick introduction. 2. Follow the 2:1 giving ratio ↳ Provide value at least twice before asking for anything. ↳ Example: Share and comment meaningfully on their LinkedIn posts. 3. Be 'interested, not interesting' ↳ Focus conversations on the other person rather than trying to impress. ↳ Example: Ask follow-up questions about their challenges rather than discussing your own achievements. 4. Leverage commonality ↳ Find unexpected shared interests beyond work. ↳ Example: Discovering you both enjoy pottery or hiking specific trails creates stronger bonds than just industry connections. 5. Practice conversational generosity ↳ Introduce people to others in group settings. ↳ Example: "Sarah, you should meet Alex. You're both working on similar AI ethics challenges." 6. Make specific, actionable asks ↳ Be clear about what you need. ↳ Example: "Would you be willing to review my presentation deck for 15 minutes this week?" 7. Connect with 'dormant ties' ↳ Reconnect with valuable past connections. ↳ Example: Reach out to former colleagues and share specific memories of working together. 8. Diversify your network ↳ Intentionally connect with people outside your immediate field. ↳ Example: A finance professional joining a technology meetup to gain fresh perspectives. 9. Maintain a personal board of directors ↳ Cultivate relationships with 5-7 trusted advisors. ↳ Example: Monthly check-ins with mentors who provide different perspectives on your career decisions. 10. Adopt the sweat equity approach ↳ Volunteer for industry organizations or committees. ↳ Example: Join the planning committee for a conference to create natural connections with speakers and organizers. The most valuable asset in your career isn't your degree, certifications, or even your experience It's the web of relationships you thoughtfully build along the way. What are your successful relationship building tactics? ♻️ Repost to share these ideas with your network. 👉Follow me Stephanie Eidelman (Meisel) for more ideas about how to enhance your network and your career. 📫 Subscribe to Women in Consumer Finance to access all of our carousels, cheat sheets, and other content. (https://hubs.la/Q03dY9_n0)