Networking from Scratch: Building Better Professional Relationships

November 21, 2024

In many Legal Costs careers, who you know can be as important as what you know. The relationships you forge with other industry experts, colleagues, and managers can help you access roles and opportunities you’d never encountered.

What’s more, effective networking allows you to learn from other thought leaders and industry experts. In a j industry that’s constantly changing, your network can help you stay one step ahead of market dynamics, trends, and changes.

Reports show that around 80% of professionals say networking is crucial to career success. Yet, many people don’t know how to forge strong relationships effectively. Here’s how to build a more powerful network and use it to your advantage in the Legal Costs industry.

The Power of Networking in the Legal Costs Industry

Networking in the Legal Costs industry isn’t just about forging new relationships with colleagues and thought leaders. It’s about connecting with people who can help you to make consistent progress throughout your career.

In the current job market, where Legal Costs companies struggle to find talent in a skills-short setting, many leaders rely on their existing employees to direct them towards qualified candidates. Studies suggest referred candidates are seven times more likely to receive a job offer than someone who applies for a role through a job site.

This means members of your network can help you to access role opportunities you might not find elsewhere. Plus, a strong network gives you endless behind-the-scenes insights into the current Legal Costs landscape, new ways to learn from your peers, and even a way to hone valuable soft skills in areas such as communication and collaboration.

Starting your Networking Journey

The most difficult step is figuring out where to get started when building your network. The best results come from a strategic approach. Start with a professional assessment. Understanding your Legal Costs career goals, strengths, and weaknesses can give you an insight into what kind of people you should connect with to unlock new opportunities.

It also gives you the insights you need to create a “unique value proposition” for yourself as an employee. By examining your strengths, you can determine what sets you apart from other Legal Costs candidates and how you deliver value to your network.

Utilise what you discover about yourself, craft an “elevator” pitch – a 30-60 second introduction that communicates who you are, your values, what you do, and why you matter. This will help you position yourself as a valuable connection to other employees and form the foundation for your personal branding journey.

Building Your Online Presence

In today’s digital world, a significant amount of networking occurs online. LinkedIn alone is home to over 1 billion professionals constantly looking for ways to forge valuable connections with peers and draw attention to their brand.

Consider what people see when they search for you online. What do your social media profiles say about you, your personality, and your achievements? A strong LinkedIn profile should include a high-quality photo, a compelling headline that reflects your career goals and expertise, and a summary of your skills and experiences.

Regularly update your profile with new accomplishments, certifications, and work samples to keep it current and engaging.

Beyond LinkedIn, look for ways to demonstrate your knowledge of the Legal Costs industry and connect with other professionals through various channels. You can use X and Facebook to follow companies, recruitment teams, and other professionals in your space. You could consider creating a website where you share insights into your work.

Another option is to look into industry-specific forums or subreddits dedicated to the Legal Costs space to engage in discussions with like-minded peers.

Navigating Offline Networking

Although building connections with Legal Costs peers and experts online are key, face-to-face interactions, where possible, remain valuable. Meeting in person promotes stronger human relationships, making you more memorable than online interactions.

Plus, engaging in offline networking opportunities, whether you sign up for workshops related to Legal Costs industry or attend events and conferences, allows you to learn about industry trends and concepts as you build your network.

Look for relevant events that will positively impact your role and provide useful insights you can use to showcase your thought leadership. Consider joining professional associations in the Legal Costs space, and check out the online, offline and hybrid events they host.

Volunteering and getting involved in community experiences can help boost your offline networking efforts. Whether volunteering for a charitable cause or helping organize industry-related events, these activities allow you to meet professionals outside your usual circles.

Volunteering also demonstrates characteristics linked to leadership, commitment, and passion – these traits often resonate with the people you meet, leading to stronger connections.

Nurturing Professional Relationships

One of the biggest mistakes Legal Costs employees make when networking is failing to nurture and retain the relationships they build. After you meet someone relevant to your career, whether it’s online or offline, follow up with them.

Send a personalised email or message on a social media platform, discussing what you learned from them, asking a question, or offering an insight they can use in their career. Dedicate a portion of your time each week to reaching out to people you’ve developed connections with to discuss a newsworthy topic or ask about their latest accomplishments.

Remember, reciprocity is crucial. Avoid only asking your connections for advice or help in finding a new job; offer them value in return. Comment on their social media posts with your insights, share links to valuable articles, and endorse their skills on LinkedIn.

Leveraging Your Network for Career Opportunities

A strong network is more than just a tool for Legal Costs career progression; it can help unlock new opportunities when used effectively. Therefore, consider contacting the people in your network to ask for a referral or introduction when looking for a new job opportunity.

It’s advised to ask for referrals and introductions after you’ve dedicated time to building rapport with a connection. Explain why you feel it would benefit that person to introduce you to leadership at their company and express gratitude for the introduction.

During your job search and career transitions, pay attention to your network and any shares in useful information on job leads or opportunities. Don’t be afraid to ask members of your network for advice on preparing for an interview in your Legal Costs or how to optimise your CV and cover letter when applying for a new role.

Internal networking in your current organisation could also be of value. Building relationships with colleagues in your Legal Costs workplace can help boost your chances of future promotions and career advancement opportunities.

Overcoming Networking Challenges

Although networking is often crucial to success in the Legal Costs industry, we understand that this can be intimidating or uncomfortable for some. The key to success is starting small. Beginning with achievable goals, like having meaningful conversations with Legal Costs leaders online before attending a large event, could serve as an ice breaker.

If you’re an introverted person, leverage your strengths. Being a good listener is an asset, too and opting for smaller one-on-one meetings might be a more comfortable way of networking for some. A tip is preparing conversation starters and questions before a networking meeting or event.

Balancing professionalism with authenticity is key. Presenting yourself professionally and polishedly is crucial, and being genuine with the people you meet is important. Share your true interests and values.

Staying Motivated in Your Current Office and Commercial Role: 6 Strategies That Work

March 21, 2024

Motivation is essential to career success. The more motivated you feel in your Office and Commercial role, the more likely you are to unlock superior levels of productivity and efficiency. Plus, highly motivated employees are generally more satisfied and fulfilled by their roles.

However, motivation can be difficult to maintain as Office and Commercial roles grow more challenging and complex. While the Gallup State Of The Global Workforce Reports 2023 revealed that employee engagement is rising, many employees are still “quiet quitting” due to lacking motivation.

Discovering how to re-ignite and retain high motivation levels could give you a crucial edge in your career, pave the way for progression, and boost your professional brand. Here are some top strategies you can use to find your drive.

Strategy 1: Setting Personal and Professional Goals

Setting clear, achievable goals impacts your motivation and productivity levels as a Office and Commercial employee. Several studies show that by setting goals and giving ourselves specific targets to work towards, we boost our chances of achieving what we want.

Goals can even help deter procrastination and enhance your confidence at work. In your career, it’s essential to have short-term and long-term goals that align with your personal and professional aspirations and the broader objectives of the organization you work with.

Set aside time to complete a self-assessment to define what matters most to you in your career and personal life. In the short term, you might want to focus on becoming more efficient at work to complete crucial tasks faster, or you might like to master your influencing and persuasion skills.

In the long term, your goals might be to earn a promotion in your current Office and Commercial business or take on specific new responsibilities.

Remember, long-term and short-term; your goals should be “SMART”: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

For instance, a long-term goal might be:

“Within the next five years, I want to apply for an executive position as [job title]. To do this, I’ll work on developing [specific skills] to show my value to my employer based on the organizations long-term goals of [target].”

Strategy 2: Seeking Feedback and Growth Opportunities

Feedback is a powerful resource for any Office and Commercial employee. Negative feedback, as it is often referred to can be hard to hear. It’s more helpful to consider it as “developmental feedback” as it gives you a clear insight into the specific skills or behaviour to improve, which will contribute to you achieving your desired goals.

Several scientific studies show that regular feedback can keep us motivated by showing us our work, efforts, and progress are being recognized. With that in mind, seek feedback from your peers or colleagues in the workplace, your managers, and mentors.

Based on the feedback you get, look for ways to develop yourself consistently and proactively. Formal training, workshops, cross-departmental projects, and more can all give you excellent opportunities to improve your skills and Office and Commercial knowledge.

Not only will committing to professional development help you progress towards your goals, but it can also reinvigorate your passion for your role, helping you discover new and exciting parts of your job. Plus, self-development will boost your intrinsic motivation levels by paving the way for career advancement.

Strategy 3: Cultivating a Positive Work Environment

Your work environment can affect your work motivation in various ways. A poor working environment, a competitive or unsupported culture, or a limited focus on employee wellbeing can harm mental and physical health, increase stress levels, and lead to disengagement.

In some cases, a sub-par work environment in the Office and Commercial industry can result in burnout, causing you to disconnect from your role and feel less passionate about your career. Alternatively, a good working environment and positive company culture drive motivation.

A Harvard Business Review study found an excellent company culture and working environment minimises emotional pressure and inertia while improving “total motivation”.

While your employer is partly responsible for creating a positive work environment for team members, you can help shape the landscape, too. Consider how changes to your workplace or office, your schedule, and your day-to-day use of systems and processes might improve your experience at work.

Present these suggestions to your employer and explain how they might impact motivation for you and your team members. Highlight the value of a diverse, inclusive, and equitable culture to business leaders to drive them towards positive changes. For instance, several McKinsey studies show diverse workforces perform better financially.

Strategy 4: Maintaining Work-Life Balance

When striving towards ambitious goals in your Office and Commercial role, it’s easy to lose track of work-life balance. One study found around 40% of employees neglect crucial aspects of their lives when focusing on work. However, while feeling “committed” to your role is pivotal, looking after your mental and physical health is also vital.

Think about how you can optimise how you balance professional responsibilities with your personal life. Can you set boundaries with your employer and colleagues, such as establishing when you won’t be willing to work overtime or respond to messages outside of office hours?

How can you improve your work-life balance by finding ways to manage your time more effectively so you’re less likely to feel you need to work through lunch breaks or commit to overtime to adhere to employer expectations?

If you feel overly stressed at work or believe your work-life balance is faltering, speak to your Office and Commercial manager about your options. Ask whether they can help with more flexible scheduling options or offer access to wellbeing initiatives.

Strategy 5: Leveraging Mentorship and Networking

Building relationships with peers in the Office and Commercial industry is another excellent way to increase motivation. Creating strong connections with your colleagues can help to give you a sense of accountability, reminding you that your performance impacts others.

Your peers can also provide support and guidance when your motivation dips, offering positive feedback or words of encouragement. Networking with professionals in the Office and Commercial industry also gives you a great way to cultivate your passion for your sector.

You’ll be able to learn about trends and changes in the landscape from other like-minded people and could even attend exciting events and training seminars that nurture your interests.

Working with a mentor is an excellent option to support your continuing development. A mentor can offer advice, make introductions that expand your network and open doors to new opportunities. They will also be an invaluable sounding board when you are experiencing frustration, demotivation, or disengagement.

Strategy 6: Embracing Challenges and Innovation

Finally, one of the best ways to improve your chances of staying motivated in your current Office and Commercial role is to continue to develop your mindset. Adopting a “growth mindset“, as pioneered by Carol Dweck, means changing how you think about yourself, your skills, and your failures.

People with a growth mindset are more likely to feel motivated because they see everything as an opportunity to learn, develop, and improve. If you’re constantly looking for ways to enhance your role, you’re more likely to feel passionate and engaged by what you do.

Additionally, a growth mindset means you’re less likely to let failures or mistakes diminish your confidence or motivation. Look for opportunities to nurture your growth mindset by seeking new responsibilities or projects in your Office and Commercial role to push you out of your comfort zone.

Take advantage of opportunities to explore innovative new solutions and technology in your sector, experiment with creative problem-solving strategies, and see every challenge as exciting. Embracing this mindset will re-ignite your enthusiasm for your role and could help you achieve a wider range of goals.

Stay Motivated in your Current Office and Commercial Role

Maintaining motivation is crucial to staying productive in your Office and Commercial role, achieving your professional goals, and unlocking new opportunities. However, motivation can be difficult to preserve, particularly in a challenging working environment.

Regularly reflect on your motivation levels at work, and use the strategies above to re-ignite your drive when it starts to diminish.

Alternatively, if you feel that no matter what you do, you can’t rediscover the motivation you need in your current role, work with a Office and Commercial recruitment agency to find a new position that aligns with your priorities and strengths.

At Everpool Recruitment, we have been helping Office and Commercial job seekers find their ideal roles for numerous years. If you want us to help you find your ideal role, call us at 0151 556 2090 or email us here info@everpoolrecruitment.com