Networking is important when starting out or changing careers.
Ahhh travelling!! Don’t we all love travelling? Apart from the fact that you make new friends it also gives you opportunity to build your network. Now, why is networking so important for international students?
- Generation of referrals
This is the most obvious benefit and the reason most business owners decide to participate in networking activities, events and join networking groups. A referral from a person can open a wide variety of opportunities for you. In my case, for instance, when I applied to the job position in Steve Nash Fitness World I got interviewed by a person who a week later was giving a great referral to who now-a-days is my boss.
- International job opportunities
Your chances of having international work experience may increase in a larger percentage if you build your network correctly. A great advice I received in Toronto was that every person that comes to our life may be important in the future. If the opportunity to go work abroad in, for instance, Europe is presented and I have previously made valuable connections, this person can be really helpful in the process of settlement and understanding of the market in a different continent.
- Develop cultural sensitivity
This is a very important advantage only those who have built an international network will have. Being culturally sensitive may increase your chances and opportunities to work globally. By knowing how to do business with Americans, Asians, Europeans, and understanding their culture well, you will stand out from the crowd. You are now one step above the other candidates for that position just by knowing how to create business with different people from all over the world.
- Improve your interpersonal skills
Considering the fact that I have never been really shy to communicate with others this was never a skill I thought I needed working on. But everyone can benefit from meeting new people, talking to professionals and exchanging information. Even if that person does not work in the same field as yours, you will still learn other valuable things such as business etiquette and international business trend and development from them. They might even become a great connection for a prospective job or a client in the future.
- Valuable friendships
Last but not least, life is not only about working, where is the fun of that? Building a great network is crucial for a successful business but the best part of networking will always be making new friends from all over the world. Some of the people you meet while living abroad can share same interests with you and become really close friends. I can tell from my experience that apart from being a great advantage when doing business, it can also come with many benefits.