Fashion School Graduate 102 -Networking
STRATEGY NET
If you are ambitious or need to hustle to get those schools loans paid down, networking strategically can help you get there faster. How do you do this effectively? New voices on the topic are saying building strong genuine connections is key and much better than a multitude of weak acquaintances. This is great new for introverts like me. I would much rather concentrate on meaningful one on one connections over being a social butterfly in a room full of strangers. Here are some ideas on how to go about building these deep connections:
1. Go where others are not
2. Become an Expert
3. Freelance
4. Volunteer Girl!
First choosing to work at less prestigious brand is one idea. They might struggle to bring in talent from the outside, because everyone else is clamoring to work for the popular names. However, these less popular brands often have healthy businesses which means the opportunities for growth are much more abundant than at the high-end names. If you want to be design director one day, it will be just as rewarding and challenging at a mass market brand as it will at a well known luxury brand. Plus there will be less competition! Once you have your foot in the door, let day to day interaction help you figure out who you click with.
Another strategy (that I love!) is becoming a master or expert in your field. People will naturally want to call you up for advice on the subject which can lead to organic networking."Research shows that mastering your craft helps you build connections. Take a study within hospitals: radiologists who were experts at their jobs ended up making more new friends at work over the next nine months-- and they occupied more influential positions in their hospital networks.This is true in any line of work. Think about it. You love having mavens in your network. Knowing who to call when you’re deciding which car to buy. Being able to email someone who has lived in nine countries when you’re planning your next trip. Having an eagle-eyed proofreader available to check your work for errors." (source)
If you're at the beginning of your career in fashion, freelancing can create 'helping' opportunities and help you make new connections. It is also a great way to learn on the job in order to become an expert in your field. Asking about a problem that needs solving, for example, leads to more meaningful conversations. Turn a 'helping 'opportunity into a 'build your skills and demonstrate your contributions' opportunity. Always make sure that if you are completing an assignment, project, or task, that you are learning from it in some way.
Similarly, volunteering is a great way to meet people with similar interests, passions, and goals. It also looks fab on your resume!!! I like using resources like Taproot to find meaningful design opportunities that could potentially help me make real connections and even add to my portfolio! (Side note: this is also something to do if you are in between jobs!)
BE A GIVER, NOT A TAKER
I love Reid Hoffman's philosophy when it comes to networking. He is the co-founder of LinkedIn, the host of the Masters of Scale podcast, and he doesn't like the way people normally approach networking (Girl!!). He has identified four different mindsets that people have when making connections:
1.“I’ll do something for you, if you’ll do something for me.”
2. “I’ll do something for you, but I’m keeping track of what you owe me.”
3. “I’ll invest in this relationship, and I expect you to invest commensurately over time.”
4. "I’ll invest in this relationship because it is the right thing to do.”
1 & 2 are transactional, but 3 & 4 are based on real connection and your own values. If you're an introvert like me, this approach might appeal to you because it turns the whole idea of traditional networking upside down. Instead of meeting strangers or reaching out to weak social connections, you connect (or reconnect) with people who you share the same personal values with you and help them because of it. You can't fake it, it has to be genuine. Who do you believe in? Who would you support if there was nothing in it for you? You don't need to be connected to the most influential people, it's more about where you can be the most influential for others.
BIGGER MISSION
Networking is really about building strong connections. Networking is not about how many important people you can add to your network numbers. Strong connections bring more than just promotions or job opportunities, they dictate how far someone will go to see you do well or how much they will champion your causes. The strongest connections will go far for you because they believe it is the right thing to do and they know you are worth the investment.
