According to a recent LinkedIn networking survey, globally and in the U.S. men are savvier online professional networkers than women. LinkedIn defines online professional networking savviness as the ratio of connections that men have to connections that women have and the ratio of male members on LinkedIn to female members.
Some of the survey results may surprise you; according to their data men in the cosmetics industry are better networkers than their female counterparts but women in the ranching industry are better networkers than their male counterparts. Maybe this is because both of these groups are the minorities in their respective fields, so they feel they need to network more to make the right connections and get ahead. You can read more about the survey here.
I don’t believe that networking is a gender-specific activity and I think both men and women can be great networkers. But LinkedIn does offer some great tips for how to leverage the power of LinkedIn to better manage your career, so be sure to check these out.
Be prepared
Before you attend any business event, use LinkedIn Mobile to see where people work, what position they have, how long they’ve been there and if you have any connections in common. Make sure your own profile has your full work history, education and skills so other professionals can learn more about you.
Mingle
Your LinkedIn network should be made up of at least 50 connections you know and trust, but you should also actively look for new connections and move out of your comfort zone. If you only talk to people you know, you’re less likely to find new opportunities. Find new connections by joining LinkedIn Groups focused on topics you’re passionate about. Look for working parent groups or groups related to the environment so you can meet professionals who share your interests.
Put your scorecard down
Great networkers don’t have a “gimme gimme” mentality. They focus on connecting and helping new people. Opportunities often arise when you reconnect with people you’ve lost touch. Look at your LinkedIn Homepage like your own professional dashboard chock full of useful reasons to reach out to your network. If you see that a connection just got promoted or landed a new client, shoot them a note to say congratulations and ask them what they are working on.
