Most people know that networking is important for building relationships that can lead to job opportunities. But networking is much more than attending events and exchanging business cards. It’s about building relationships with people who can help you achieve your goals.
Networking can be helpful at every stage of your career, from finding your first job to landing your dream job to advancing in your current position. It can also be helpful in other areas of your life, such as finding a mentor, making new friends, or growing your business.
Here’s a closer look at what networking is and how it can benefit you:
What Is Networking?
Networking is the process of building relationships with people who can help you achieve your goals. The key word here is “relationships.” Networking is not about asking people for favors or selling them on your products or services. It’s about developing relationships with people who can help you in your career or in other areas of your life.
Networking is the practice of linking two or more computing devices together for the purpose of sharing data. Networks can be used to share resources such as printers and files, or to allow electronic communications such as email and instant messaging.
The most common type of network is a local area network (LAN). A LAN is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common communications line or wireless link. Typically, a LAN encompasses a single geographic location, such as a home, office, or building.
Networking is a process of exchanging information and ideas among people with a common interest. It is a way of building relationships and developing contacts. It can be used to find a job, to get information about a particular industry or company, or to meet potential customers or suppliers. Networking can also be used to keep in touch with people you know, to find out about new opportunities, or to develop new business relationships.