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It’s been conference season and it’s all been a little manic during October and November. It’s easy to get burn out from events and networking – which lets face it, are really tiring – especially if it involves hours of travel!
But our profession, where women remain underrepresented in leadership roles, building a strong professional network is essential for your career advancement. For female financial professionals, creating a supportive community through mentorship, alliances, and networking can provide critical guidance, open doors, and foster personal growth.
In this blog I’m covering some strategies on how women can cultivate strong professional relationships.
1. The Role of Mentorship
Mentorship is a vital component of career development, offering you access to valuable insights and resources:
Guidance: Mentors help navigate the complexities of the industry, offering advice on overcoming challenges such as gender biases, career transitions, and breaking into leadership.
Confidence and skill development: Through mentorship, we can develop leadership skills and build confidence to take on more significant roles.
Networking opportunities: Mentors often introduce mentees to their professional networks, helping expand access to opportunities.
Both formal mentorship programs and informal business relationships are beneficial, finding mentors who can provide practical, industry-specific guidance and help with long-term career planning.
2. Building Strategic Alliances
In addition to mentorship, forming alliances with peers and colleagues can be great for career growth. These relationships are based on mutual support and shared professional goals:
Career advocacy: Allies can recommend one another for job opportunities or promotions, acting as champions for each other.
Collaborative problem-solving: Alliances enable professionals to share knowledge and brainstorm, leading to growth and success for both parties.
Diverse perspectives: Building alliances with people from different sectors within finance broadens understanding of the industry.
We can foster these alliances by collaborating with colleagues on projects, supporting each other in workplace discussions, and actively seeking opportunities to connect with peers across different sectors of finance, such as investment banking, fintech, or accounting.
3. The Power of Networking
Networking is essential for career advancement in finance, as many opportunities come through connections rather than formal applications. For us, networking helps establish a community that can provide support and open doors:
Access to opportunities: A strong network can lead to job offers, partnerships, or new business opportunities.
Industry insights: Networking keeps us informed about trends, best practices, and shifts in the finance landscape, helping them stay competitive.
Support system: Networking connects us with professionals facing similar challenges, creating a space for encouragement, advice, and mutual support.
Building a meaningful network requires more than simply attending events—it’s about forming lasting relationships. We should focus on making genuine connections, offering value to others in their network to strengthen those ties over time, even building friendships that reach outside of business.
In a male dominated world such as finance, having other females supporting and mentoring is invaluable.
4. Practical Tips for Building Strong Professional Relationships
Here are some strategies for you if you are looking to build supportive relationships:
Be intentional: Identify mentors, allies, and networking opportunities aligned with your goals. Proactively reach out and stay engaged with those relationships over time.
Offer value: Networking and mentorship work best when both parties benefit. What can you share? Offer your own knowledge, skills, or connections to create a more balanced, mutually supportive relationship.
Join industry groups: Participate in professional organisations. These groups provide access to networking opportunities, mentorship, and industry insights.
Stay authentic: Building meaningful relationships requires trust and authenticity. Be genuine in your interactions and seek out ways to support others as you grow your own career.
Conclusion
Mentorship, alliances, and networking are powerful tools!
Through these relationships, we can start to increase our visibility and raise profile, gain access to new opportunities, and build a supportive network. So, get connecting – but with intention!
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