Networking Mastery the 21-Day Challenge

Research suggests anywhere from 50 to 80 percent of jobs are filled through networking. Networking can also be an important factor in a shorter job search. But how can you exercise your networking muscle?

This 21-day challenge is designed to help you improve your networking skills.

During this challenge, you’ll take 21 days of consistent action in 10 different areas:

· Networking Foundations

· Building Connections

· Strengthening & Deepening Connections

· Diversifying Your Network

· Leveraging Social Media for Networking

· Expanding Beyond Your Comfort Zone

· Offering Value to Your Network

· Going the Extra Mile

· Deepening Relationships

· Reflecting & Reinforcing Your Networking Efforts

Take action each day in one of these areas (see the list below for ideas). This challenge will reward effort, not results. But results will come when you take consistent action, day after day, in meeting your goal!

For best results, enlist an accountability partner to help you complete the challenge. Ideally, it will be someone who is looking to make a job or career change too, so you can keep each other accountable and on track. For best results, check in with each other daily.

You can choose to use either the Challenge Calendar or the Challenge Planner to plan and track each day’s activities. Write down the activity you will do and put a big red “X” on each day you complete a challenge activity. At the end of the month, you want as many spaces marked off as possible on your Calendar or Planner.

There are three ways to conduct the challenge:

• Do one action item each day for 21 days straight

• Take action for five days each week (no weekends) for four weeks (plus one day)

• Take actions for three days each week for seven weeks (for example, Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday)

It’s up to you!

At the end of each week during the challenge, reward yourself for good performance. Enjoy a special outing or anything else that will encourage you to keep going!

Here are suggested actions within each of the areas:

Networking Foundations

¨ Define your networking goals (for example: finding a mentor, a certain number of new LinkedIn connections, five new job opportunities, etc.)

¨ Set a specific target for the number of people you want to connect with during this challenge

¨ Craft your 30-second elevator pitch (that clearly communicates who you are, and what you do) so you can use it with new contacts

¨ Identify your top 3 ideal networking connections

¨ Reach out to a former colleague you haven’t spoken to in a while

¨ Research five people in your field and learn more about their career path and achievements

¨ Attend a local networking event or industry meetup to practice your elevator pitch

¨ Create a list of people you want to connect with during this challenge

¨ Update your business card or virtual business card information

¨ Set up a professional email signature that includes your contact information and LinkedIn profile link

¨ Define your personal brand by writing down your values, skills, and what makes you stand out in your field

¨ List five skills or qualities you want to develop in order to network more effectively

Building Connections

¨ Send a LinkedIn connection request (with a personalized message) to someone in your industry

¨ Comment thoughtfully on someone’s LinkedIn post

¨ Join a LinkedIn group relevant to your profession or industry and introduce yourself

¨ Ask a colleague to introduce you to someone they know who could help you grow your network

¨ Attend a virtual conference or webinar and actively participate in discussions or Q&A

¨ Host a virtual coffee chat (over Zoom) with someone you admire to learn more about their career journey

¨ Write a LinkedIn recommendation for someone you’ve worked with

¨ Attend a local professional association meeting or an online group for your industry

¨ Join a niche group or forum (Slack community or Reddit thread) dedicated to your profession or interest

¨ Host a virtual meetup with people in your industry or field to share experiences and tips

¨ Engage with a fellow attendee during a virtual event by commenting on their ideas

¨ Follow up with someone you met recently by sending a thank you email

Strengthening & Deepening Connections

¨ Write a personalized follow-up email to someone you met recently

¨ Reach out to an influencer in your field and ask for advice on a specific topic

¨ Send a handwritten thank you note to someone who recently helped you

¨ Share an article or resource with someone in your network

¨ Invite a connection to collaborate on a project or discuss a topic of mutual interest

¨ Post an insightful update or article on LinkedIn

¨ Create and share a free resource or guide that can help someone in your network solve a problem

¨ Ask a connection for a virtual coffee chat and offer to help them in return

¨ Engage with someone in a LinkedIn group by starting a discussion on a relevant topic

¨ Request an informational interview with someone at a company you’re interested in working for

¨ Organize a virtual happy hour or coffee chat with people in your network for casual conversations

¨ Share a meaningful article related to your industry and tag a few people who would find it valuable

¨ Comment on a post by someone in your network and offer a suggestion or insight on the topic they’re discussing

¨ Ask someone for advice on a project you’re working on, even if it’s not directly related to their area of expertise

¨ Send a voice message through LinkedIn or WhatsApp to a connection just to say hello and check in

Diversifying Your Network

¨ Attend an event outside your industry to meet people with different perspectives and meet new types of professionals

¨ Join an online forum (Reddit, Quora, etc.) and contribute answers to relevant questions

¨ Host a “virtual roundtable discussion” with people from various industries to exchange ideas

¨ Follow thought leaders on X and engage with their posts

¨ Attend a community volunteer event or participate in a charity event to meet new people

¨ Send a LinkedIn message to a recruiter to inquire about career opportunities

¨ Attend a workshop or seminar in an area that’s outside your usual area of expertise

¨ Follow up with someone you met at a non-work-related event (e.g., fitness class or cooking workshop)

¨ Reach out to someone who has recently posted a job or internship opportunity and ask for insights into the recruitment process

¨ Connect with someone from a different country or region to gain a global perspective on your field

¨ Reach out to someone in a leadership role at a company you admire and ask them about their career trajectory

¨ Collaborate on a blog post with someone in your network or offer to guest post on their site

¨ Reach out to a previous professor or mentor to reconnect and ask for career advice

¨ Use a networking app (Lunchclub, Bumble Bizz) to meet new people in your industry

Leveraging Social Media for Networking

¨ Create a professional bio for your social media profiles that clearly states who you are, and what you do

¨ Host a LinkedIn Live or Instagram Live session discussing a topic of interest and invite others to join and contribute

¨ Curate a list of recommended resources (books, podcasts, tools) and share it with your network

¨ Start a conversation on X about a current trend in your field and tag relevant people to get the discussion going

¨ Share a professional accomplishment on LinkedIn and tag people who helped you get there

¨ Respond to comments on your LinkedIn posts

¨ Engage in an X Space related to your field or interests

¨ Post on LinkedIn or X asking for advice on a current career challenge you’re facing

¨ Create a poll on LinkedIn or X to engage your network in a conversation and gather opinions

¨ Reach out to someone on LinkedIn who works at a company you admire and ask for a 15-minute informational chat

¨ Follow up with a new X contact and ask to connect on LinkedIn

¨ Create a social media post showcasing a project you’re working on, and tag relevant people

¨ Write a LinkedIn article sharing your expertise on a specific topic in your field

¨ Join a Facebook group for professionals in your industry and engage with the posts

¨ Promote someone else’s work on LinkedIn to show support for your network

¨ Create an Instagram story sharing a behind-the-scenes look at your work life

¨ Send a direct message on social media to someone you admire and ask for advice

¨ Write a post about a recent networking success and share it with your connections for inspiration

Expanding Beyond Your Comfort Zone

¨ Join a meetup group related to an interest you want to explore further

¨ Reach out to someone who is a few steps ahead of you in your career and ask for advice

¨ Attend a cross-industry event to expand your networking horizons

¨ Offer to mentor someone in your field to give back to your network

¨ Host a live Q&A session on LinkedIn or Instagram to answer questions from your followers

¨ Send an email introduction between two people in your network who could benefit from knowing each other

¨ Start a conversation with someone you don’t know at a conference or networking event

¨ Offer to host a free webinar or workshop for members of a relevant community group or association

¨ Attend a professional development course (online or in-person) and network with other attendees

¨ Ask a colleague to introduce you to someone they know in an entirely different department or field

¨ Follow and engage with influencers outside your immediate professional circle, such as entrepreneurs or thought leaders in related fields

¨ Ask a mentor to connect you with someone they know who could be a helpful contact

¨ Attend an online networking event to meet new professionals

¨ Send a handwritten note to a connection thanking them for their ongoing support

Offering Value To Your Network

¨ Offer to write a testimonial or LinkedIn Recommendation for someone you’ve worked with

¨ Share a job opportunity that may be a good fit for someone in your network

¨ Make an introduction between two people who could benefit from each other’s expertise

¨ Host a networking event (virtual or in-person) for people in your industry to meet each other

¨ Create a professional resource guide and share it with your network

¨ Recommend a book or podcast that has helped you grow professionally

¨ Share your knowledge of an industry trend and start a discussion in a group or forum

¨ Provide feedback to someone on a project they are working on

¨ Offer to collaborate with someone on content creation, such as writing a special report or whitepaper

¨ Share a behind-the-scenes look at a project you’re working on and ask your network for feedback or advice

¨ Offer to mentor someone by offering guidance on their career path

Going the Extra Mile

¨ Host a virtual “office hours” session where you answer questions from your network

¨ Attend a conference and actively network with speakers and attendees

¨ Follow up with your mentor to update them on your progress

¨ Organize a lunch or dinner with people in your industry to build deeper relationships

¨ Record a short video message for someone in your network, offering support, sharing a tip, or answering a question

¨ Reach out to someone you admire and ask for a 15-minute chat for advice

¨ Host a webinar or virtual panel on a topic of expertise

¨ Offer a free consultations or share insights with someone in your network

¨ Connect with someone who could be a potential partner in a business or professional venture

¨ Send a “just checking in” email to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, even if you don’t need anything from them

¨ Send a thank you note to someone who has helped or mentored you recently

¨ Host a small group dinner or virtual lunch for people in your industry to foster closer relationships

¨ Offer a referral for someone in your network who is seeking a job or opportunity

Deepening Relationships

¨ Send a “check in” message to someone you haven’t talked to in a while

¨ Ask a colleague or connection for feedback on a project or presentation

¨ Offer to review a portfolio for someone you know in your industry

¨ Attend a career fair or virtual career event and network with recruiters and other professionals

¨ Send a follow-up message to a connection who you haven’t reached out to recently

¨ Recommend a job posting to someone in your network who might be a good fit

¨ Offer help with a specific project or task to someone in your network

¨ Join a Discord for your professional association

¨ Invite a connection to a free industry-related event or webinar that could benefit them

¨ Arrange for a casual coffee chat with someone you’ve recently connected with to get to know them better

¨ Introduce someone new to your personal circle — either a colleague or fellow entrepreneur who could benefit from meeting them

¨ Post a public shoutout on LinkedIn to recognize someone for their mentorship or valuable support

¨ Host a group discussion on LinkedIn about a trending industry topic

¨ Send a thank you note to someone who referred you to a new opportunity

Reflecting & Reinforcing Your Networking Efforts

¨ Review your connections and identify key relationships you want to strengthen

¨ Review your networking activities and determine which methods were most successful in helping you build meaningful relationships

¨ Ask a colleague or mentor for feedback on how you can improve your networking skills

¨ Celebrate a recent networking success by sharing it with your network

¨ Reconnect with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while to rekindle the relationships

¨ Create a list of three action steps to continue improving your networking after the challenge ends

¨ Reflect on the types of people you’re connecting with and whether you’d like to diversify your network even further

¨ Check in with your key connections to see if there’s any way you can provide further value to them

¨ Identify three key people you want to develop a deeper relationship within the next month

¨ Write a testimonial for someone who has had a positive impact on your career

Completing the 21-Day Challenge

At the end of the 21 days, review your progress. Evaluate your networking goals and adjust them based on your experiences. Reflect on your networking progress, and celebrate small wins. Create a follow-up plan for keeping in touch with important connections over the next three months.

Celebrate your completion of the 21-day challenge! By sticking with the challenge, you’ve set yourself up for success.

Following is a sample completed Networking Mastery 21-Day Challenge Planner:

Networking Mastery 21-Day Challenge Planner

Day 1 Identify my top 3 ideal networking connections (industry leaders, potential collaborators)

Day 2

Reach out to an influencer in my field and ask for advice on a specific topic

Day 3

Join a meetup group related to an interest I want to explore

Day 4

Craft my 30-second elevator pitch that clearly communicates who I am and what I do

Day 5

Send a handwritten thank you note to someone who recently helped me

Day 6

Research five people in my field and learn more about their career path and achievements

Day 7

Send a LinkedIn connection request with a personalized message to someone in my industry

Day 8

Introduce two people who could benefit from meeting

Day 9

Reach out to someone I admire and ask for a 15-minute chat

Day 10

Share an article or resource that could be valuable to someone in my network

Day 11

Schedule a virtual coffee chat with someone I admire to learn more about their career journey

Day 12 Send a LinkedIn message to a recruiter to inquire about career opportunities

Day 13

Invite a connection to collaborate on a project or discuss a topic of mutual interest

Day 14

Reach out to a former colleague I haven’t spoken with in a while to reconnect

Day 15

Attend a virtual webinar and actively participate in discussions and Q&A

Day 16

Sign up on Lunchclub to meet new people in my field

Day 17

Follow 10 thought leaders on X and engage with their posts

Day 18

Reach out to a former professor to reconnect and ask for career advice

Day 19

Create a LinkedIn post showcasing a project I’m working on (and tag relevant people)

Day 20

Send a follow-up message to a connection I haven’t reached out to recently.

Day 21

Write a LinkedIn Recommendation for someone who has had a positive impact on my career.

Robin's Career Chirp