"Networking is not just about connecting people. It's about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities that are mutually beneficial". Networking is a major part of any career whether you're seeking advancement opportunities, building a client base for your business, or expanding your business, this skill has long been identified as a key method to give you that one-up and competitive edge in the marketplace. Networking skills are essential in both personal and professional environments, as building your professional network helps you connect with individuals who can help your business, or in a job search process or offer support to advance your career, or just help you with some new ideas and thoughts. It is all about the process of establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with other like-minded professionals and potential clients and/or customers, by helping you with the sharing of knowledge, ideas and expertise and building your professional profile. For this reason, Networking can be looked at as just another name for the conversations and relationships you have with people in your personal and professional communities while you are pursuing your professional goals. This highly practical guide: 'Effective Networking Skills' will help you get your approach right to networking and off to a great start or if you're an experienced networker, build on your existing skills, immensely enabling you: recognize its importance in a professional development context; evaluate networking opportunities, know how to make networking a more natural exercise; develop confidence, and know how to apply these skills of effective networkers in building long lasting relationships. So Get Ready to a Great start in building your Net Worth! Table of Contents Introduction What Exactly is Networking? Why Network? The Benefits of Networking Barriers to Networking Key Attributes and Traits of Great Networkers Why Self-Esteem Matters for a Networker-How to Build a High Self-Esteem! Managing You-Positive First Impressions! It Begins by Selling Yourself First! Meeting and Greeting Building and Managing Relationships Trust, Respect and Understanding-The 3 Key Pillars Asking the Right Questions and Listening are the KEYS! Key Strategies and Steps to Successful Networking The Right Networking Conversations Staying in Touch- Maintaining and Building your Network International Networking Etiquette Follow-up: Thank you notes Conclusion About the Author