Tips for Success in Global Networking

If you are relocating to a different country, you must learn to network. The benefits of making professional acquaintances in your new environment are innumerable. But in order to successfully reap the benefits of global networking, it must be integrated not only into your professional practices, but into your daily lifestyle.

Networking is an excellent way to make professional connections, develop opportunistic relationships, and stay abreast of exciting career opportunities. Although the concept of developing business relationships through socializing may seem daunting, particularly for those who are new to the practice, networking is in fact very intuitive. If you have ever made a friend at work, casually chatted with your neighbor on a plane, or even made an appointment over the phone, you have utilized the skills necessary for networking.

Global networking is simply networking on an international scale. And thanks to modern technology such as computers, smartphones, and the internet, global networking has never been easier. Even prior to your arrival in your new home, you should be able to make a few connections using tools you likely already have at your disposal. Prior to your relocation, try these techniques:

Reach out to current acquaintances you know are living, or have lived, in the area where you are moving.

If they still reside in the area, make plans to get together with them and be sure to set an exact date and time. If they are no longer based in the area, request that they make an introduction for you to one of their local contacts. This introduction can be done via email or through LinkedIn, if an in-person introduction cannot be arranged.

Explore local professional bartering opportunities.

For example, you could reach out to a shared work space that rents to small business owners on a monthly basis and suggest the possibility of a free month’s rent in exchange for managing their invoicing. If you reach an agreement, you may have a business collaboration set up before you even arrive.

Do as much research as you can on your new home’s typical business culture and professional practices.

An excellent way to conduct this type of research is through informational interviews. Through social networking, contacts from your or your spouse’s local employer, or through mutual friends, set up at least three different informational interviews focused on getting to know your new business culture inside and out.

Your networking practices should not stop once you relocate. In fact, arriving in your new home is the best possible time to deploy a structured, consistent networking strategy. Enhance your daily life with networking by using the following practices:

Every day, reach out to a person in your network with whom you have not spoken in several months.

The only way for your network to remain strong and effective is for you to maintain as many of its links as possible. Regular correspondence, even via email or direct message, is an excellent way to maintain that strength.

Develop a networking plan, complete with objectives.

Push yourself by developing clear goals – like making 5 new professional connections per month. Your networking plan should be schedule-based, so that you are able to easily incorporate your new practices into your routine. It is wise to develop both a networking plan for normal work days, as well as goals for work and personal travel. What local industries do you want to become familiar with? What are your professional goals? Who is your potential competition for jobs and other professional resources? Asking questions like these will help you develop a strong networking plan that not only helps you reach your networking goals, but your professional ones as well.

Collaborate as much as possible.

Whether you are looking for specific services to tack onto those you offer your clients or employer, or whether you take advantage of opportunities to trade amenities with an opportunistic contact, collaborating with others will establish a professional relationship between you and other professionals across different fields. If you ever consider a career change in the future, this type of relationship development may become a key resource in your job search. An excellent way to step up your collaboration skills is to explore collaboration opportunities during work and personal trips.

Remain mindful of your words and actions.

Particularly when you have first relocated, you never know where or when you may interact with influential professionals and contacts. Be sure to exude confidence and professionalism even when you are outside the workplace. Adopt opportunistic practices like carrying around a stack of business cards. The more often you send your name out into the world, the better.

Make it a point to connect to the wifi.

If you are ever in public near a wifi hotspot, use it to your advantage. This way, you always see notifications for promising networking emails and LinkedIn messages. Additionally, the number of remote job opportunities is constantly increasing with our increasing reliance on the internet for work. It will be beneficial to maintain an understanding and appreciation for the regular use of internet for professional purposes. If information security is a major concern, purchase your own mobile hotspot so that you are able to connect securely wherever you go.

Particularly if you freelance, look into renting part of a shared office space.

The model of shared office spaces is becoming more popular as instances of freelancers and remote jobs increase, so you should be able to identify several options in your local area. These spaces offer the benefit of allowing independent professionals to more clearly delineate their working hours based on their location. They also boast opportunities for human interaction, a practice that naturally occurs within traditional office environments, but is more difficult for those who work from home to incorporate into their professional lives.

Networking contains the word ‘work’ for a reason: it is a practice that professionals must commit to and expend effort practicing. But incorporating the above practices into your daily routine are a guaranteed way to expand your network of contacts, discover career opportunities, and improve your communication skills and quality of life in your new home.

Looking for Information on Making Your Career Move?

Passport Career provides more detailed career information and extensive resources about networking, finding an international job or internship, country-specific business protocol and culture, alternative career opportunities, writing country-specific resumes/CVs, cover letters and interview strategies for other countries. If your university/college, organization, company, embassy, library, or other institution would like access to our country portfolios and global career training program (50,000+ pages of expert content for 90+ countries and 275+ cities) to share with your students, employees, spouses/partners, and others managing a national or international career transition, please click here to contact us (or send email to: global@passportcareer.com) regarding a free, live, online demo and details on how to obtain a license to access Passport Career.