Using networking and social groups

- It's a biological truth that humans are social creatures. That doesn't necessarily mean we don't enjoy our alone time, but it means we also like to spend part of our time in groups, and that we use each other for support. Why not put that biology to work when it comes to your career? Fortunately, plenty of other people have come to that same conclusion, which is why there are so many professional and social networking groups to choose from. Of course, all these types of groups can help you in different ways, so it's all about understanding the types of groups you should join and understanding how to make the most of them. Let's start with groups that cater to a constantly growing demographic: people who work remotely. Between freelancers, salaried telecommuters, and people who have a nine to five, but a side gig at home, remote workers are everywhere. They're also making a distinct effort to connect with each other. These groups are full of professionals from a wide range of industries and specialties and many of them will make for great connections in your network. Remote working groups are especially handy if you're looking for a remote job as the next step in your career. Your fellow group members are likely to know which companies hire remote employees and which ones are hiring at the moment. They could even give you a referral if they know someone at the company that you have your eye on. Another type of group that you'll run in to throughout your career is the classic networking group. There are groups for local professionals in general, there are groups specifically for entrepreneurs, or for people in certain industries. Networking groups can offer you huge opportunities because everyone is there for the same reason: making professional connections. Networking groups can be tricky, though. Some are so big that you rarely have a chance to have any real conversations. So, they just turn into this type of mass business card exchange, but no one remembers you enough to call you because you didn't actually interact with them. One way you can make networking sessions more productive is to introduce yourself before you attend the first meeting. Most networking groups organize their events on one digital platform or another, so post a message on the event page about how much you're looking forward to attending your first session. By the time you get to the event and introduce yourself in person, many of the other networkers will recognize your name and it'll make you much more memorable. Your work doesn't have to end when the event does, though. One of the most important aspects of networking is following up. During the event, keep tabs on who you want to follow up with and what you spoke about. Send your follow-up emails the next day to start turning single conversations into profitable connections. Learning how to make the most of a networking group is great, but how do you find those networking groups in the first place? The web is your best friend. There are a few specific places you can go in order to find in-person groups and digital groups as well. One helpful platform is meetup.com. People use Meetup to organize groups for all kinds of purposes from professional development to social gatherings and sharing hobbies. When it comes to Meetup, you can join groups that already exist, of course, but the platform allows members to create their own groups as well. And this can pave the way for a great jump in your career. One thing to keep in mind, though, is don't worry about how successful your Meetup group will be, or how long it takes to start pulling in members. Even a group or an event with three or four people can be a huge help to those people. And as word spreads, your group will grow too. Here's an example. A friend of mine recently became a full-time freelancer and she dove into a coworking Meetup group head-first. Simply by attending meetups and hanging out with other freelancers and remote workers at coffee shops, she spread the word about her business. It's partly thanks to this group that she went from two repeat clients to eight in about a year. Facebook groups are another handy tool for your professional development. People use Facebook groups to share connections, tips, job leads, and countless other pieces of information that can help move your career forward. Take some time to look for the Facebook groups in your area, from general networking groups to groups that cater to your industry. When you find the Facebook groups that are the right fit, it's all about interaction. Remember, it's a give and take, so you'll need to offer some tips and connections of your own to keep the group moving. Now, don't worry if you're new to your industry. You still have plenty to contribute. Just asking thought-provoking questions can start a great conversation that helps you and everyone else in the group, too. As soon as you start interacting with specific people in that group, reach out with a direct message to ask them for a meeting or a phone call and to start fostering that relationship. Now, of course, this list wouldn't be complete without talking about another strong source of digital support and networking groups: LinkedIn. LinkedIn is rich with groups that cater to different industries and career paths, and you can put them to good use with the same strategies you'd use in a Facebook group. Find the ones that best apply to you, interact with others, and when you spot a great connection, message them directly to take the next steps forward. When it comes to making the most out of networking groups, whether it's online or in-person, there's one rule above all: be patient and persistent. If you stick with it and keep improving your skills, it will pay off.