When we think about our careers, we tend to look inwards rather than what’s around us. Sometimes it seems like all that matters when moving forward is our experience and hard skills. What we tend to forget is that our surroundings and the people we interact with also play a huge role in shaping our paths.
Let’s take a look at why networking shouldn’t be overlooked and how the Femme Palette programs can help you build and broaden your circles!
This one may seem obvious, but think about the opportunities you’ve had in the past. Did they really “just kinda happen” to you or were there circumstances that determined them? It’s pretty likely that you influenced these circumstances with your interactions. Though it may not have seemed like it at the time, these interactions were networking. Now think of what you could gain if you consciously focused on these interactions and made a point of building a network!
Putting yourself out there and being seen is a big part of any success. You may have all the necessary skills and experience to make your business a hit or make that career move you’ve always wanted to, but surrounding yourself with people who will know about you, support you in your decisions and spread kind words is equally as important. Don’t underestimate the power of good contacts and make people remember you!
We’ve all had times when we’ve felt like the creative genius in us isn’t quite there when we need them most. Struggling to find inspiration and come up with good ideas can be a big block in succeeding. But why not let other people bring out your creativity? Having a network of creative, like minded people can be great when you’re feeling stuck and need some fresh thoughts, or just someone to bounce your existing ideas off to see if they have value. Skilled people in your network can also help you gain a more realistic point of view, which is especially important when coming up with a business idea or pitching a new project to your colleagues. Their feedback and ideas could prove to be priceless.
Someone who’s passionate about their work will always want to discuss it with others. But let’s be honest, it’s maybe sometimes a bit too much to lay on to your family and friends, who often don’t really have much of an idea about what you do. People who work in the same industry and have similar expertise will be happy to listen to your work-related concerns because it’s something you have in common. This makes networking not only a tool for advancing your career, it’s also a great way to build meaningful friendships with like-minded people.
Did the reasons above persuade you that networking is necessary? A great way to start building your own network or expand your existing one is through the Femme Palette Mentoring program. Not only will you get a chance to connect with an experienced mentor, but you’ll also get to enjoy our new 1:1 networking feature! This tool will let you connect on a monthly basis for a 30 min call with your preferred networking match from the Femme Palette mentee community. This way, you can meet interesting people, learn about what others are working on and even make new friends! Apply to your preferred program now to enjoy this new feature or drop us a line at mentoring@femmepalette.com if you have any questions!
