How Your Smartphone Can Set You Up for Networking Success

networking

Do you consider yourself an upwardly mobile professional? If so, you already appreciate the benefits of networking. Knowing someone at a company or in a position of authority is an easy way to get your foot in the door. Your new friend can tell you when an opportunity arises that’s perfect for you. All you need to make it happen is your phone. Here’s how your smartphone can set you up for networking success.

Appear Professional

The first concept to remember as your network is that your appearance matters. A stranger will judge you on everything from your appearance to your handshake to the look of your cell phone. That may sound ridiculous, but you should think about how you evaluate others. People are extremely critical during first meetings. Any detail could become a source of derision.

When you’re ready to network, you should look and act your best. Since you know that you’ll use your smartphone during the encounter, you need it to look good, too. If you have a cracked screen, either fix it or replace it. If you use a silly case on most occasions, switch to a basic one while networking. That way, you’ll seem professional and thereby have an easier time making new connections.

Download LinkedIn

You want to load your smartphone with the best networking apps. You should select a diverse set of programs. You’ll need LinkedIn since it’s the industry standard in networking. With this app, you can make an immediate, permanent connection with someone.

Better yet, you’ll also enjoy second-degree access to all their connections. One LinkedIn connection is akin to dozens of new networking opportunities. That’s why it’s the dominant networking app in the marketplace, with 467 million users.

Choose Other Useful Business Apps

Still, LinkedIn is only one part of the process. You’ll also receive business cards when you network. You’ll want to choose an app that digitizes and organizes these cards. You should also load a resume app. While networking rarely leads to an immediate job opportunity, it happens occasionally. You want to have a resume ready to send.

You should also understand the discussion that ensues when someone likes your resume. They’ll want to know how you made it. With the right resume app already loaded on your phone, you can show the person. They won’t just download the software. They’ll remember the person who told them about it, deepening your connection far beyond a superficial handshake.

Finally, you should install Facebook for instances where you do make a deep connection. Offering a friend request in the moments after a pleasant encounter is a power move. You’ll show that you like someone enough to let them into your inner circle. They’ll see a more intimate part of you, again strengthening the new connection. You want apps that don’t just perform services but also increase your chances of becoming unforgettable.

Pick the Right Smartphone

Not all smartphones are created equal, especially with regards to networking. You want to choose a sleek and professional smartphone that will show who you are while also performing all the tasks that you need. A generic phone that you get for free with a service plan won’t impress anyone. It also won’t handle your hard core phone needs. You want a smart device that will impress like the Apple iPhone 7 from T-Mobile.

The best one in the industry is the one that triggered the smartphone era. That’s the iPhone, the industry standard for more than a decade. It’ll look great and send a signal that you’re a serious professional. More importantly, you’ll take advantage of one of the most reliable cell networks in the world. T-Mobile’s 4G LTE service perennially ranks high in throughput and bandwidth tests. OpenSignal named its 4G download speed as the best of all major carriers. Since T-Mobile already enjoys a strong reputation for its coverage area, it’s the best option for iPhone users who prioritize networking.

Your job directly determines your earning potential. You should always network to unearth better opportunities. Using the suggestions above, you can learn about other job openings long before your competitors. All you have to do is keep your smartphone nearby and make new connections when possible.