When you’re new to a city, it can be difficult Building a Network & make friends and find like-minded people. Luckily, networking is a skill that anyone can learn. With these three steps, you’ll be well on your way to building relationships with people who’ll help support your personal goals and ambitions:
Step 1: Identify a Community
The first step in building a network is identifying a community. This can be something as simple as finding your local Meetup group and joining, or it could mean finding a Facebook group for expats in your area and asking if anyone would like to meet up for coffee sometime.
There are plenty of communities out there that have been established specifically for newcomers—just take the time to look for them online! If you’re moving somewhere where English isn’t the primary language, this will be especially important because there may not be many people around who speak your native tongue. In many cases, these communities also offer different kinds of activities relating both to work and life outside work: from job opportunities through meetups with other professionals who want to network while they’re out on Friday nights, all the way down to local sports leagues, art classes, book clubs…you name it!
Step 2 in building a Network: Choose a Networking Trend for Yourself
There are so many networking trends to choose from, but you will have to start somewhere. You can’t be part of every trend in the world at once, so pick one and stick with it. Here are some good options:
- Meetup Groups – Meetup is an online platform that allows users to create their own groups and events based on their interests. If there’s something you like doing or talking about, chances are someone else out there does too!
- In-Person Events – There are plenty of opportunities for face-to-face meetings in most cities; check out what’s going on in your area by searching Google for “networking events near me” or “networking activities in [city name]”. Most cities host networking mixers at local bars or cafes once a month as well as more formal business conferences throughout the year if you want more structure than just winging it on your own.
- Online Forums – If none of these options seem appealing to you because they don’t fit into your schedule or personality type (for example), then consider trying an online forum instead—you’ll still get all the benefits without having to leave home!
Step 3 Building a Network : Engage Others in an Authentic Way
When you’re starting from scratch, it can be hard to know where to begin. If you’re new to the country and don’t have many friends, engagement with others might seem daunting. But remember that engaging in a genuine way is more about being open than it is about being outgoing or friendly. By “being open,” I mean acknowledging that everyone has something valuable to share—even if it’s just their opinion on which local coffee shop has the best latte! That’s not something that should be ignored or dismissed because it doesn’t fit into your own ideas of what’s important or valid. Instead, try listening without judgment and allow yourself to learn from others’ experiences (and mistakes).
Networking takes work and a commitment to learning about other people, but it can lead to lasting relationships.
Networkers are often told that networking is about them. But if you want to network effectively, you need to make your focus on the other person. Your goal should be to listen and learn—not just tell people what they need or want to hear. You must also find ways of being authentic and real with others, even when it feels awkward or uncomfortable at the moment.
In addition, networking requires patience: building meaningful relationships take time and effort over long periods of time (for example months or years).
Many new expats don’t realize this until they’ve been in their host country for several months or even years without having made any real connections outside their own social circle.
Conclusion
We hope these tips have helped you start building your network in a new country. Keep in mind that it’s okay if it doesn’t happen overnight—in fact, it might take months or even years before you begin to see the benefits of your efforts. But by consistently engaging with others and acting authentically, you can turn strangers into friends and acquaintances into colleagues who will help guide you through this exciting time in your life!
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