‘Making links’ may be associated with corruption in the Jamaican context, but building a professional network is a legitimate way of marketing oneself in the 21st century. It imputes nothing illegitimate or illegal; it simply refers to making friends in the professional world, and, as with most types of friendships, your business friends will seek to help you in whatever way they can.

Here’s how to build a professional network:

1. Be good at what you do

When you do your job well, people within the industry and even outside will begin to take notice. Whether they see you as competition or as a friend, one sure way to be known within an industry and start building your network without any extra effort is to distinguish yourself by being one of the top contenders.

2. Join LinkedIn

Yes, social media can help! Professional networks such as LinkedIn help you to be informed about and connect with people from various professional networks in a casual manner. Even if you don’t use your account much, just having a profile will invite those in similar areas to connect with and get to know you.If you are going to increase the complement of people you know, you must be prepared to socialise with people. It does not matter where you are, go over and say “Hello” and introduce yourself. Remember, networking is making friends, but on a professional basis.Ask for and offer business cards. If there is none, a telephone number or an email address will do. This sends the message that you mean business and holds the promise that future contact will be made. One cannot make contact without contact information, right?Don’t just take a person’s contact information, drop them a line or send them an email or text message every now and then. The person is not truly in your network if you don’t stay in touch. If possible, send birthday greetings or acknowledge any other important date in the lives of the people within your network. Sometimes you may have absolutely no reason to contact them, but go ahead and do it anyway.Don’t be afraid to ask someone in your network to introduce you to someone they know who you would like to add to your network. Sometimes this is a better alternative than introducing yourself. The person will feel some level of confidence in you since you are being introduced by someone he/she already knows and trusts.You might not be interested in the after-work mingle organised by your HR department, or the seminar your co-worker thinks everyone should attend, but these work events are perhaps some of the best places to build your network. Here is where you meet other industry professionals that may, in the future, provide great opportunities for you to move up. So, arm yourself with those business cards, put on your winning smile, and enter.Getting involved in committees, clubs, associations, unions inside or relating to the industry in which you work or are planning to work will expose you to other individuals with a similar mindset, and will allow you to be able to interact with a broader cross section of people you may add to your network.Volunteerism says a great deal about your level of social responsibility and is a great way to meet new people, as many professionals are involved in volunteer projects. Plus, it provides an excellent talking point to help you connect with others. Also, if an individual you want to add to your network needs to get something done, offer your assistance. They will think they owe you one. Don’t pretend to be what you are not just to get someone into your network. If you stay in touch with that person long enough, they will eventually figure it out and that will not help your cause. Also, recognise that you can’t go asking for favours or a job on first or second encounter. Friends help friends, so focus on that first.— Aldane Walters

Yes, social media can help! Professional networks such as LinkedIn help you to be informed about and connect with people from various professional networks in a casual manner. Even if you don’t use your account much, just having a profile will invite those in similar areas to connect with and get to know you.

3. Socialise

If you are going to increase the complement of people you know, you must be prepared to socialise with people. It does not matter where you are, go over and say “Hello” and introduce yourself. Remember, networking is making friends, but on a professional basis.

4. Always exchange contacts

Ask for and offer business cards. If there is none, a telephone number or an email address will do. This sends the message that you mean business and holds the promise that future contact will be made. One cannot make contact without contact information, right?

5. Stay in touch

Don’t just take a person’s contact information, drop them a line or send them an email or text message every now and then. The person is not truly in your network if you don’t stay in touch. If possible, send birthday greetings or acknowledge any other important date in the lives of the people within your network. Sometimes you may have absolutely no reason to contact them, but go ahead and do it anyway.

6. Get an introduction

Don’t be afraid to ask someone in your network to introduce you to someone they know who you would like to add to your network. Sometimes this is a better alternative than introducing yourself. The person will feel some level of confidence in you since you are being introduced by someone he/she already knows and trusts.

7. Attend work events

You might not be interested in the after-work mingle organised by your HR department, or the seminar your co-worker thinks everyone should attend, but these work events are perhaps some of the best places to build your network. Here is where you meet other industry professionals that may, in the future, provide great opportunities for you to move up. So, arm yourself with those business cards, put on your winning smile, and enter.

8.Join professional associations

Getting involved in committees, clubs, associations, unions inside or relating to the industry in which you work or are planning to work will expose you to other individuals with a similar mindset, and will allow you to be able to interact with a broader cross section of people you may add to your network.

9. Volunteer and offer help

Volunteerism says a great deal about your level of social responsibility and is a great way to meet new people, as many professionals are involved in volunteer projects. Plus, it provides an excellent talking point to help you connect with others. Also, if an individual you want to add to your network needs to get something done, offer your assistance. They will think they owe you one.

10. Be genuine

Don’t pretend to be what you are not just to get someone into your network. If you stay in touch with that person long enough, they will eventually figure it out and that will not help your cause. Also, recognise that you can’t go asking for favours or a job on first or second encounter. Friends help friends, so focus on that first.

— Aldane Walters