{"id":59076,"date":"2019-08-09T13:42:48","date_gmt":"2019-08-09T17:42:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/?p=59076"},"modified":"2020-09-03T05:53:05","modified_gmt":"2020-09-03T09:53:05","slug":"heres-how-to-take-the-work-out-of-networking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/professional-development\/business-solutions\/heres-how-to-take-the-work-out-of-networking","title":{"rendered":"Here’s how to take the work out of networking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Matthew Soucoup, senior cloud advocate at Microsoft, one of WeWork’s enterprise members<\/a>, is like many skilled tech professionals\u2014smart, naturally modest, and soft-spoken. But over his 20-year career, he\u2019s learned to step outside his comfort zone\u2014and network. \u201cThere\u2019s my life before networking, and my life after networking,\u201d Soucoup recently told an assembly of technologists at Seattle\u2019s Flatiron School<\/a> (part of The We Company<\/a>), where professionals learn new skills or upgrade their credentials in software engineering, computer programming, data science, and UX\/UI design. \u201cOnce I began my blog and a Meetup group<\/a>, things took off.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soucoup’s career began in the 1990s\u2014during Dot Com 1.0\u2014and as he gained skills alongside his peers in computer science, he started a blog to express his viewpoints. Not long after, interested in building a community of trusted peers, he launched a Meetup group for the emerging field of mobile development. Since then, he\u2019s learned how to spot the best people to approach at conferences or casual Meetups, and where and how it makes sense to use social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At \u201cMicrosoft & Flatiron Talk Networking,\u201d part of Microsoft and Flatiron School\u2019s monthly \u201cFireside Chat,”<\/a> Soucoup acknowledged that networking doesn\u2019t come easily to many of us\u2014especially software coders and engineers, whose characteristic humility may make icebreaking and connecting challenging. But he focused on the argument that there is safety in numbers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRemember that everyone is intimidated,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd that the person sitting next to you wants to talk as much as you do.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research has shown that working with people from many different backgrounds, as well as training in writing and communicating, will be some of the most highly valued workplace skills for the future<\/a>. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important for anyone, in any line of work, to find ways to connect with others\u2014even if that starts with having small conversations in open kitchens, lounges, and staircases<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGrowing your real-life community and network is one of the most effective ways to achieve development goals or grow a business,\u201d says David Siegel, CEO of Meetup, also part of The We Company<\/a>. \u201cEvery week Meetup offers thousands of networking events across all industries, from informal social events to more structured workshops and seminars, where members with similar interests and objectives can connect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s Soucoup\u2019s best advice for making networking painless\u2014and productive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. Let your words precede you<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the best ways to start building a network doesn\u2019t even require approaching strangers in person. Instead, rely on writing. If you\u2019re an emerging software developer, coder, or designer, writing about your perspectives on the field, the programs you work with, or others\u2019 work you admire can all help you introduce yourself to the world. Reading your words on a portfolio web site, blog, or within an industry publication can give strangers in your industry a sense of who you are as a professional\u2014and open up useful dialogues with future collaborators or teammates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Make the most of small conversations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Soucoup finds Meetup groups incredibly useful. While many Meetup events are centered on a featured speaker, he says, \u201cthe presentations are secondary. It\u2019s the side chats you\u2019ll have with other attendees that are important.\u201d Discuss the speaker with others in the audience, and learn who shares your interests and perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Work the lunch room<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to lecture-heavy trade conferences, Soucoup notes, \u201cthere\u2019s always lunch.\u201d His pro tip: Look for a table with at least two people who aren\u2019t deep in conversation. That way, you have more than one person to engage in discussion. \u201cKeep it upbeat,\u201d he advises. In other words, instead of asking your lunch peers what they dislike about the conference or a speaker, ask what they came to learn or which session was most helpful to them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Maintain a digital footprint <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re actively communicating and connecting with others in your field, Soucoup explains, you\u2019ll begin to build a broad network of contacts who can get to know you over time through your links, remarks, hash tags, and emoticons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He advised using LinkedIn for professional networking, and Twitter for quick-response or casual communication among techies. If you\u2019re blogging, a publishing platform like Medium or aggregator like Dev To is a good place to post your work\u2014and once it\u2019s posted, you can promote it via Twitter or on LinkedIn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Participate in the online conversation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to social media, Soucoup suggests remarking on any and all posts that speak to you\u2014either with a \u201clike\u201d or a re-post, with or without your own commentary. People can\u2019t see you if you\u2019re not out there participating in the community, he said. Join industry and alumni groups where you\u2019re likely to meet people who share your interests<\/a> or have common ground, and don\u2019t be afraid to ask questions or for help\u2014or to answer others\u2019 questions or requests for assistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Give as much as (or more than) you get<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNetworking is not transactional,\u201d Soucoup notes. To build rapport and trust, he explains, you need to \u201cgive\u2026 and eventually get.\u201d Offering help, advice, recommendations, and network introductions are all important ways to build your reputation as a trustworthy person who is willing to share their skills and resources in low-key ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Build these relationships so that when you do<\/em> need help\u2014which is of course the point of networking\u2014you\u2019ve earned the goodwill that will help you get it. Just make sure to ask for what you need, he reminded the audience. \u201cIf you never ask, the answer is always no,\u201d he says.  

Interested in changing your career, or learning new tech skills? Check out <\/em>Flatiron School<\/em><\/a> to learn more about our online and on-campus courses, as well as scholarship opportunities.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n