Whether you are actively seeking employment or you find yourself casually browsing job listings every now and then, having a strong professional network is essential. In fact, research shows a large majority of working professionals agree – networking is important for career success.

Still, others may find growing their network to be uncomfortable or awkward. Meeting new people or reaching out to acquaintances can often require a lot of jobseekers to step out of their comfort zone or feel overwhelmed about possible rejections and uncertainties.

Sound familiar? You’ve come to the right place! Check out our six best tips below to make networking a breeze.

Prepare an elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is used to introduce yourself – your background, experiences, and future goals, when first meeting someone. It can be used to answer the dreaded “tell me about yourself…” interview question or even used in casual conversation to share information about your work. Ergo, an elevator pitch will take the guesswork out of networking and give you a clear outline on how to start meaningful conversations. For specific examples, check out our post How To Deliver An Elevator Pitch.

Attend networking events

If you’re just starting to grow a network, knowing exactly where to begin can be difficult. Luckily, tons of organizations take part in traditional networking events such as career fairs, professional happy hour events, webinars, and more. At these gatherings, you will have plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded people that you can add to your network – whether it’s the employees of the organizations that catch your eye or fellow jobseekers.

Stay on the lookout for upcoming networking events by following companies on social media, frequently checking their official websites, subscribing to newsletters, and checking local event websites.

Ask for an informational interview

The purpose of an informational interview is to gather more information about a certain field or company. It is not an official interview and can be as simple as meeting for coffee or making a quick phone call. These meetings are a great opportunity to meet with someone outside of traditional networking events, especially for jobseekers that feel more comfortable with one-on-one interaction.

Despite their casual nature, if you’re partaking in an informational interview, remember to remain professional. This means you’ll still want to arrive on time, dress presentably, and work out any other relevant logistics. In addition, be sure to prepare ahead of time by planning questions you will potentially ask or be asked.

Reach out to friends and family

A strong network is essentially made up of anyone that can help you grow in your career – whether it's by telling you about new opportunities, discussing possible solutions to problems you may be having, or even keeping you up to date on current trends. In other words, you might already have a network, even if you don’t realize it. Reach out to family and friends that are in your field or a field you desire to be in. Just because you may not have met them in a professional setting does not mean they can’t help you reach your professional goals.

Use social media

If you’re a jobseeker that prefers to connect with people online, social media is undoubtedly a great tool for growing your network. For example, LinkedIn and Handshake are just two of the unique social media sites centered around networking and professional development. These online platforms give you the chance to find employees in specific fields, organizations, and roles. Whichever site you decide is right for you, be sure to keep your profiles regularly updated and ensure they are accurate representations of who you are.

Follow up with existing connections

After you’ve had the chance to speak with someone in your network, be sure to follow up with them. Do this by having go-to email templates ready to send. While you don’t want to use the exact same email each time, they should all include the same standard information. For example, you’ll want to thank them for their time, ask about next steps, any specific questions you now have, and of course, give them your contact information. This will help you save time and easily phrase what you want to say, rather than rewriting a new email each time you connect with someone.

The most important part of networking is to step out of your comfort zone. Not sure where to begin? Contact Nexus today. Our team is here to help every step of the way.

Six Tips For Making Networking Less Awkward