Networking can be tricky and difficult. If you are an introvert, it can be worse. Professional networks grow exponentially. One person introduces you to three more and each of them connect you to others. If you are looking for new career or business opportunities, here are some tips for building your professional network in Buenos Aires as an expat.
It can feel especially tough to break in if you don't know anyone, especially if you have just uprooted yourself and moved to Buenos Aires. It will take both time and patience to meet new people and build a network.
Where do you start?
First, determine the type of people you want to get in touch with and what you would like them to do for you. Be specific. “I want to meet new people,” is not enough.
Be as detailed as you can. Are you looking for a certain type of job? A specific job within a specific industry? Do you want to get to know someone specifically?
Networking just to network is tiring and meeting people just to meet people is the same. Looking at networking this way may be off-putting like you have an agenda. The truth is, you do — and it's not off-putting. You don't want to waste the other person's time, so being clear on who you want to meet, and why, is the first step.
Next, identify a small number of people you want to approach with a specific request. The group doesn't have to be large, 5-10 individuals will work. Be clear about your intentions — nothing is worse than giving a busy person a vague request. Asking someone for the time to just “pick their brain” is offensive. Ask a specific question which they should be able to answer quickly.
A specific and thoughtful question will almost always be appreciated as long as it doesn't take too much time to answer.
Build on your existing network
The power of the network you already have in place is amazing. Anyone you want to get in touch with is apt to be just three degrees-of-separation away.
The natural instinct says to grow your existing network before nurturing the one you already have. Making use of your existing network to get a warm introduction to someone they know is the fastest way to build trust and respect with someone you may want to meet.
Always start with your own network first. Continue to nurture your existing network. Having ten people who care about you is a lot more powerful than having 100 people that merely know about you.
Quality beats quantity when it comes to building a helpful network. Anyone can attend network evenings and collect 100 business cards, but those people won't be going out of their way to help. Focus on a few quality people.
Popular networking apps
See who you may already know on Facebook or LinkedIn. Don't stop with your current friends, though. Do a search and see who you could connect with. Then check your network for someone who may already know them.
Writing in Buenos Aires
Writing articles dealing with your industry and publishing them on LinkedIn Pulse can help you connect with Argentines working in your profession.
The newspapers in Buenos Aires, and Argentina, are going through the same machinations affecting American newspapers. As advertising drops, journalists and reporters are being laid off. The market is wide open for people willing to produce content — although the pay is not up to North American or European rates.
Promoting the articles on your social media also helps to connect with Argentines who do a similar type of professional work.
Networking events in Buenos Aires
Meetup.com has a wider use here than in the USA, for example, at least when it comes to professional level networking and not just looking for someone with whom to crochet.
As for ‘professional networking events' like those happening in America or Europe, they just don't exist in Argentina. The only networking events happen among people within the same industry.
Bankers' networking events are open to only bankers and architects' networking events are only open to architects. Of course, a banker can invite an architect to a banking networking event, but the architect is discouraged from attending on his own.
After you have laid the foundation for your network, become a ‘super-connector.' Introducing two people who can benefit from connecting with each other is one of the best ways to build your own network at the same time.
Not only will they give you credit for putting them in touch, but they will feel inclined to introduce you to someone, you will benefit from meeting as well.
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