Whether you are a student, job seeker, employee, business owner, or at any other stage in your life, networking is essential.

Even if you are an introvert who needs to spend time alone, or you are a person who practices a technical job, working only with machines, computers, or cars, you must know that it is very difficult to succeed in life without a network of people around you. Therefore, it is recommended to establish relationships and links within your network of contacts to have additional opportunities to advance in your career.

So why is building a network necessary? How does it help you? Here are the reasons:

1. Getting a job: Studies show that the best way to find a job, or a vacancy, is through networks of contacts and recommendations. For example, if a company is looking for a car technician, and instead of posting a job and spending a lot of time searching for the right candidate, they might ask their employees if they know someone who is a good fit for the position. In this case, an employee can be found before the job application is published.

    

2. Advancing in your career: People around you can give you a chance to advance in your career or move to a better job if you are self-employed.

    

3. Solving problems, you face: If you know a lot of people, this will make your life easier. Meaning, if you have a problem, or emergency, related to your health, knowing a doctor can help you. Or, if you have a problem with your electronic devices, your knowledge of an IT or technician will help you save time looking for someone to help you...

    

4. Securing more clients: If you are a business owner, or want to become one in the future, having a large network can help you grow and get more clients.

But how can you expand your network?

1. Start by strengthening your existing network, such as family, friends, co-workers...

2. Get out of the limited area, even if it is your comfort zone; challenge yourself and build a network of acquaintances the way you like, such as meeting people in public places.

3. Use your network on the Internet and social networking sites appropriately and professionally.

4. Connect with old friends and people you already know.

5. Don't feel compelled to meet new people. If this doesn't happen naturally, this won't help you.

6. It is a good idea to attend meetings and social events hosted by the company in which you work, to communicate with people in your field.

7. Volunteering is a great opportunity to get to know people and expand your network.

If you want to strengthen your network through the previously mentioned methods, you must always make sure that you respectfully meet people, without offending them, violating their privacy, or exploiting them, as these are wrong and bad ways to establish relationships, and may negatively affect your reputation.