3 Ways Networking Can Take You to the Top2 min read

Club Inc.’s Managing Director, Niall Flanagan, gives three reasons why networking can properly you up the career ladder…

Networking and marketing yourself to the right people is one of the most powerful tools in getting you to the next stage.  For example, I knew my career goal was to be a General Manager at one of the top clubs in the world.

I started writing to Dick Kopplin the leading headhunter in the USA in 1998.  At first I never got a reply as he didn’t know me and at the time I was living and working in Dubai.  When I moved to St Andrews I attended the CMAA World conference presenting the Opening Education Address to 1,800 people in 2004.  This was the first time I met Dick.  In 2005 I invited Dick to speak at a conference that I promoted which he accepted.  In 2006 he got me the interview for the position of CEO at Loch Lomond that resulted in me being successful in fulfilling my career goal.

It had taken me 8 years but the work I did along the way helped me pave the way to getting me what I had set out to do some 15 years before.  My story illustrates just how important networking can be in your career – below are 3 more benefits of networking when it comes to advancing your career…

1. Improves your PR within the industry

Improving your own PR is also vitally important.  Most golf professionals I know are confident in presenting themselves due to the hours coaching their students and retailing to their customers, but think about putting yourself forward to speak at conferences, writing articles for magazines and/or websites.  This will grow your brand and attract potential employers as the more often your name and picture appear, the more chance you have of being mentioned or meeting owners, CEO’s, headhunters etc.

2. Helps unlock the job market

Networking can be very helpful to your career.  It’s not just a “buzz word”, it actually works.  Develop a network of friendly people who share information to help each other.  I believe it is best known as a strategy for opening the hidden job market.  Since 80% of jobs are not advertised, it is essential that you develop friendly relationships with people who can tip you off to job openings – perhaps even introduce you to the person who is doing the hiring.  There is some truth in, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.”

3. Allows you to meet people that are outside your circle broadening your knowledge and skill sets

Finally attending events both inside and outside the industry can help you learn so much that you can add to your skill set.  It really is amazing the number of people you meet who play golf and will get talking to you because you are a golf professional – you never know where this may lead.