Online Class: Successfully Networking Your Career

This course will show you how to build a professional network and how to make sure these connections add value to your career.

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$120.00
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$120.00 (with CEU Certificate)
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  • 10
    Lessons
  • 12
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 464
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 3
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.3
    CEUs
 
 

Course Description

Master the Art of Networking: Pave Your Way to Professional Excellence

In today's rapidly evolving professional landscape, your network isn't just about who you know—it's about who knows you. And more importantly, how meaningfully you connect with them. Embark on a transformative journey where you won't just build connections; you'll cultivate enduring relationships that elevate your professional trajectory. Our meticulously curated course is your golden ticket to mastering the nuanced art and science of networking, both in the digital realm and the tangible world.

Whether you're a fledgling in the world of professional relationships or someone who acknowledges the need for a more robust network but feels adrift amidst myriad options, this course is your compass. It’s meticulously crafted to serve as both a primer for beginners and a refresher for those aiming to revitalize their networking strategies.

Allow us to give you a sneak peek into the enlightening modules awaiting you:

  1. Decoding Networking: Dive deep into the essence of networking. It's more than just meeting people; it's about creating synergies.
  2. The Networking Goldmine: Unearth the plethora of benefits that stem from strategic networking.
  3. Quality Over Quantity: Learn why the depth of your connections often trumps their breadth.
  4. Spotting Opportunities: Harness the power of networking to unlock doors you didn't even know existed.
  5. Crafting Professional Alliances: Strategize to build partnerships that complement and elevate your professional journey.
  6. The Power of Presence: Discover the unmatched value of local and in-person interactions.
  7. Digital Networking Mastery: Navigate the vast and dynamic world of online networking platforms.
  8. Networking for Introverts: Tailored strategies ensuring even the most reserved among us can build a potent network.
  9. Cultivating Relationships: It's not just about making connections, but nurturing and maintaining them.
  10. Sustained Networking Excellence: Equip yourself with strategies ensuring your networking efforts bear fruit over the long haul.

Our course is not just an information repository—it's a dynamic toolkit. We'll empower you with actionable steps and a structured approach to ensure you're not just absorbing knowledge but implementing it. As part of this immersive experience, you'll gain exclusive access to a treasure trove of resources. Dive deep into the latest networking strategies, innovations, and best practices that the digital age has ushered in.

In an age where transactions are frequent, transformative professional relationships stand out. While direct selling has its merits, fostering genuine, lasting professional bonds is the linchpin of sustained success in our interconnected marketplace. The pertinent question isn't whether you're networking—it's whether you're networking optimally, with purpose and strategy.

Dive in and equip yourself with the insights, strategies, and skills to ensure your networking game is not just effective but unparalleled. Join us, and let's co-create your networking success story.

 

Course Motivation

What Is Networking?

Business has changed, and there's no going back to the way things were. Before the advent of the Internet, business used to be done with a handshake. You would meet people while you were working, or you would meet them through friends and family, or even work connections. 

But today, when businesses are spread out all over the world, you can't simply wait to shake someone's hand, and you can't limit yourself to the people in your local area. 

Instead, you need to make networking a part of your everyday activities. 

This isn't the most comfortable skill for many people to master – networking. It takes time, it takes energy, and it requires you to interact with people more than you may have thought to do in the past. 

However, networking is still as crucial to the long-term health of your business as it was in the past. You need to be ready to get out there and meet new people in order to flourish as a business owner, an employee, and even as a customer. 

The Basics of Networking 

When you talk about networking professionally, this means any and all activities related to meeting with others in your industry. These people might be colleagues, they might be potential clients, or they might be present clients. 

Networking is the process in which you meet and build relationships with others. You might network by: 

  • Talking to others wherever you are – Even if you're just out and about in your daily errands, you might come upon someone who can help you in your networking goals.

  • Meeting at industry events – Industry events, such as trade shows, can be a great place to meet up with people who are also networking. Together, you can gather contacts and help each other out in the future.

  • Sharing social media connections – Using pages like Facebook, LinkedIn, and even Twitter can help to create strong relationships between industry leaders.

  • Speaking to others at work – While you might be someone who likes to focus on work, the more you can talk with others in your workplace, the more you will become memorable to those who might call on you in the future.

  • Reaching out to people in the local area – For smaller businesses, networking and getting local support is a great way to ensure you are being noticed, and that your reputation is one that appeals to others. 

Anywhere you can find someone who might benefit your company, your job, or your career, that's a place where you can network. 

You begin networking by finding out where the ideal people to connect to are. Then you go to those places (i.e. public events, social media, etc.). You start a conversation with someone. From there, you might keep in contact with them, to see if you can help them, or if they can help you. 

And what happens next depends on the type of connection you have and what your individual goals might be. Some connections end up looking to each other for resources, or they might try to get the other hired at their company. 

Others might find networking is helpful for simply staying up to date on the latest industry trends and ideas. 

Still others find that networking is a way to find new clients, and to keep older clients happy.

What you get out of networking is truly what you put into it. The more energy you put in, the more results you will reap. And the good news is that you don't have to spend hours or become a completely different person in order to make networking progress. 

You just need to think proactively, and you need to think about your bigger goals. 

The Right Skills for Networking 

One of the many reasons why people don't particularly like to network is that they feel they need to be extroverted in a way that may not come naturally. While this is certainly true for those who are more introverted, it's not necessary for you to be the life of the party. 

Instead, these tips and skills are helpful when you are networking: 

  • Have a clear idea who you want to meet.  – It can be helpful to know that networking is more about quality than about quantity (which we'll cover in the next lesson). To keep networking simple, try making up a description of the person who is going to benefit you most in your networking activities and goals. This way, you will only need to meet those people, and not just spread yourself out to as many people as possible. 

  • Prepare a list of questions to ask.  – The more prepared you can be when you're networking, the better. If you have a list of questions a person can answer, this will help you get a conversation started, and everyone likes to talk about themselves, so it will make your side of the conversation easier too. (And what you might want to keep in mind is that most people aren't all that comfortable networking, so the more work you do to make things easier, the more the other party will be happy you did.) 

  • Be open to meeting new people.  – What you may not remember as you become anxious or uncomfortable about meeting others is that the more open you are, the easier it will be. If you focus on the idea or the goal of meeting as many new people as possible, you will begin to see this process as fun and exciting. If you're a numbers type of person, you can even create goals for yourself – and then see how you improve, as you continue to meet new connections. 

  • Realize every person you meet might have an opportunity for you.  – As strange as it might sound, thinking that each new connection you have might lead to something great is often the best motivator. When you can look at meetings and networking events as places where you can connect with someone who might be beneficial to you, you will see the value. When you see the value, it can make a chore much less of a burden than it may have seemed before. 

The more you get out there and attempt networking, the more you will become comfortable with it. While it may not be your favorite thing to do, it will become something you can manage – especially with a lot of practice.

You're Not Alone…and It's Not Always About Sales 

Everyone in the business world, and beyond, is realizing they need to reach out to others if they want to be effective in their industry. While it might seem as though you're the only person who is facing networking anxiety or challenges, you certainly are not. 

Instead, think about how many people are in the same position as you are. And when you talk to them, point out that these situations can be uncomfortable and uneasy. Though they may not laugh at the ridiculousness, they might also be relieved you said something. After all, you're not alone and the more relaxed you can make these encounters, the better everyone will feel in the end. 

Remember, it's not so much that you're trying to sell yourself as a good person with whom to network, but rather you're trying to connect with someone in a positive and productive way. Another way to put this is that each networking opportunity is not just for you; the other person in the conversation can also benefit from what is happening, which makes this worth your while, if not necessary for success.  

Summary 

Networking is the process in which you connect with others in your industry or people you want to bring into your industry or company. These connections can include prospects, clients, colleagues, or outside professionals who might have a way to support your future endeavors. 

  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Printable Lessons
  • Full HD Video  
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.5 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(206 votes)

Lesson 1: What Is Networking?

This lesson will introduce the world of networking. Additional lesson topics: Improve Your Networking Skills 12 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: Motives for Taking this Course
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Exam

Lesson 2: The Benefits of Networking

There are a number of benefits to professional networking some that you probably know and some that may be new to you. Additional lesson topics: Benefits of Networking; The Advantages of Networking 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam

Lesson 3: Quality vs. Quantity in Networking

For many, networking can become a question of whether its better to focus on quality or quantity, when looking for connections. Additional lesson topics: 10 Tips to Improve the Quality of Your Networking 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam

Lesson 4: Networking for New Opportunities

It is good to know that you can easily use a network to find new ways to work, to connect, and to run a business. All you need to know is how to prepare yourself, how to reach out, and how to avoid the common mistakes. Additional lesson topics: Networking Opportunities 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam

Lesson 5: Networking for Professional Partnerships

Professional connections can often lead to collaboration and new ideas, but it takes work to ensure the relationship is strong. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam

Lesson 6: Local and In-Person Networking

This lesson will discuss to value of local networking. The more you can build local networks, the more you can keep profits and money in the area, which strengthens the community. Additional lesson topics: Tips to Succeed With In-Person Networking 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam

Lesson 7: Online Networking

This lesson will discuss how to make effective use of the user-friendly tools in online networking. Additional lesson topics: There's a Right Way to Do Online Networking; Several Alternatives to LinkedIn for All Your Professional Networking Needs; How to Master Non-Awkward, Effective In-Person Networking 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam

Lesson 8: How Introverts Can Network

This lesson will discuss how networking can be done by both introverts and extroverts. Additional lesson topics: The Introvert's Survival Guide to Networking 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam

Lesson 9: Maintain Your Connections

This lesson will discuss the importance of maintaining your networking connections. Additional lesson topics: 5 Tips on How to Maintain Your Network of Contacts Now That You?ve Found a New Job; Ways to Build and Maintain Your Professional Network 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam

Lesson 10: Long-Term Networking Strategies

Since connecting with others might look different in the future, you will want to think more about what your overall goals might be, and then seek out opportunities to reach those goals. Additional lesson topics: Networking Success Strategies -- Building Lasting Relationships Brings Networking Success 60 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Lesson discussions: What do you think about this course?; Course Comments; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam
  • Assessment: The Final Exam
152
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Define what networking is.
  • Define the benefits of networking.
  • Define quantity means in networking.
  • Describe techniques for networking for new opportunities.
  • Describe networking for professional partnerships.
  • Describe processes for local and in-person networking.
  • Define online networking.
  • Recognize how introverts can network.
  • Summarize methods for maintaining your connections.
  • Determine long-term networking strategies.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Successfully Networking Your Career
Course Number: 8900317
Lessons Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars (206 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: This course is online and available in all 50 states including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.
Last Updated: January 2024
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 0.3 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: Linda Zavadil
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "I thought the course was a great refresher in networking and included helpful tips." -- Joseph C.
  • "Successfully learned a lot!" -- Eleni M.

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