Harvard Business Review - HBR Guide to Smarter Networking (HBR Guide Series)

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ISBN: 978-1-64782-335-1
eISBN: 978-1-64782-336-8

You know that you need to be doing a better job networking, but something always seems to get in the way. Perhaps you cant find the time to stay in touch with past colleagues amid so many urgent, competing needs in your work life. Maybe you think you can get away without reaching out to new contacts until youre getting ready for a job search. Or theres a chance you find networking unpleasant, inauthentic, and exhausting and just cant bring yourself to do it as much as you know you should.

But no matter what has been keeping you from being a better networker, theres hope. Too many of us have been thinking about networking in the wrong ways. It isnt just something that happens at conferences and events, and it isnt about making as many connections as we canits about strengthening the connections we have and putting ourselves in the right position to build new relationships. We need to be smart networkers every day because every day we need the support of our networks to do our jobs effectively, gain access to resources for ourselves and our teams, and advance.

This guide provides practical tips and approaches to help you build a diverse, supportive, and effective network, whether youre hoping to do your current job better, move up in your organization, find a great new role, or achieve your long-term career goals.

Youll learn how to:

• Develop a growth mindset around networking
• Ask questions that advance conversations beyond small talk
• Build connections at conferences that last longer than the weekend
• Find islands in a sea of strangers
• Host a gathering to bring together interesting and inspiring people
• Secure a spot on recruiters radarsand stay there
• Accelerate your job search by getting back in touch
• Network more comfortably, even if youre an introvert
• Build a network with multiple layers of diversity
• Tell your career story through your online presence
• Reach out confidently and graciously to someone youve never met
• Overcome identity-related obstacles to networking
• Prevent reaching out from burning you out
• Keep your network healthy over the long haul

Its time to break up with our old ideas about networking.

The right network can have a huge impact on your success.

BY ROB CROSS AND ROBERT J. THOMAS

You can get past the I hate networking feeling.

BY FRANCESCA GINO, MARYAM KOUCHAKI, AND TIZIANA CASCIARO

You need operational, personal, and strategic networks.

BY HERMINIA IBARRA AND MARK LEE HUNTER

Its all about nurturing serendipity.

BY CHRISTIAN BUSCH

Start a more interesting conversation.

BY DAVID BURKUS

And see the whole world as an elevator.

BY DAISY DOWLING

Your elevator pitch is just as important once you have the job.

BY JODI GLICKMAN

And why humblebragging backfires.

BY FRANCESCA GINO

Do it on your own terms.

BY REBECCA KNIGHT

First, look for islands.

BY AMANTHA IMBER

Whether in-person or virtual.

BY DORIE CLARK

Think like a journalist.

BY REBECCA KNIGHT

You dont need to wait for them to come to you.

BY MARLO LYONS

Even in a downturn.

BY CLAUDIO FERNNDEZ-AROZ

Broad outreach isnt better.

BY ROB CROSS AND PETER GRAY

How to expand your professional circle.

BY DORIE CLARK

Performance alone wont get you the support you need.

BY SYLVIA ANN HEWLETT

Varied networks lead to more creative ideas.

BY AMY NAUIOKAS

Know your audience and connect the dots for them.

BY ALEX COOLEY

Five conversation starters and sample messages.

BY KRISTI DEPAUL

People early in their careers are more likely to respond to direct messages.

BY DOUG CAMPLEJOHN