What will it take to reach the next level in your career? Crafting a stellar resume. Write a thoughtful cover letter that lists your accomplishments and demonstrate a passion for your prospective company’s work. Acing that interview.
為職業生涯推進一步需要什麼東西?起草一份亮眼的簡歷。用心編寫一封求職信，在上面列出你的成就並闡述你對潛在公司的職位的熱誠。然後拿下面試!
Yes, these are all critical to landing your next role. At the end of the day, however, there is another piece of the job seeking puzzle that will not only help you get your foot in the door, but also advance your career: your relationships. The people you create meaningful connections with will provide you with references, help open doors and, not to mention, offer candid feedback that you may need to hear.
是的，這些因素對於確定你的未來角色來說都至關重要。然而，到了最後還有另外一塊求職拼圖，這塊拼圖不僅幫助你跨過門檻，還能推進你的事業發展——你的人際關係。那些與你建立起有意義的人際關係的人們，會給你提供有用的推薦信息，助你推開職業大門，更不要說了，給予你所需要聆聽的真誠的反饋。
Whether it’s with a mentor, former boss or current colleague, the time and energy invested in developing and nurturing these relationships will be well spent.
無論他們是職業導師，前任僱主還是當前的同事，你所投入到建立人際關係的時間和精力都會用得其所。
Your number one strategy for fostering valuable professional relationships should be spending face time with the people with whom you currently work and previously worked. There’s simply no substitute for real conversations, sitting across from someone at a table, a firm handshake and good old-fashioned eye contact. This can seem like a challenge in today’s tech-focused world, but it’s easier than you think. Here’s how you can effectively create substantial professional connections:
想要培養有價值的職場人際關係，你的首要策略便是多花時間與當前共事或曾經共事的人們見面。很明顯，沒有任何事情可以替代真實的交談，坐在桌子旁面對面，一次堅定的握手以及良好典型的眼神交流。也許這對於如今科技為主的世界來說似乎是一個挑戰，不過它的實際操作比你想像的簡單。下面為你介紹幾個方法，助你有效地建立大量的職業人際關係。
1. Limit distractions.
1. 限制幹擾。
Technology has no doubt improved our lives and made a lot of things easier, but in some ways, it’s made us lazy. We text people instead of talking. We make introductions via Twitter instead of meeting up for coffee. The next time you make plans to spend time outside of the office with a co-worker, even if it’s just an hour out of your day, put in the effort to make the most out of that time together. That means meeting face-to-face, and resisting the urge to check your phone while you’re together.
毫無疑問的，技術提高了我們的生活水平，並且提供了不少便利，但是在某種程度上，它也讓我們變得懶惰。我們常常寧可發簡訊息也不親自交談。我們在微博上介紹自己而不是約別人去喝咖啡。當你下一次打算跟同事在辦公室以外的地方相處時，即使只是抽出一個小時，你也要充分利用你們相處的這段時間。那就意味著面對面交談，並且克制自己在兩人相處的時候查看手機。
2. Practice listening.
2. 練習聆聽。
Your communications skills are incredibly important during an interview, as well as on the job. As you’re working on your professional relationships — with anyone from your former boss to your current manager or peers — take advantage of these opportunities to practice your listening skills. Create space for them to speak and pay attention to what they say — they』ll notice that you did.
在面試當中，你的溝通技能是極其重要的，同時對於工作本身來說也一樣。當你在努力建立職場人際關係的時候——任何人，從前任僱主到現任經理或同事——都要充分利用好這些機會，好好鍛鍊你的聆聽技能。給他們創造發表自己的機會，留心聽取他們所說的話——他們也會發現你真的在聆聽。
3. Create a follow up system.
3. 創建跟蹤系統。
Whether it’s jotting down notes in your phone, setting up reminders in your Outlook calendar or creating a spreadsheet to keep track of who you』ve reached out to, develop automated systems that remind you to follow-up. This is especially important when you’re building new relationships. That stack of business cards serves no purpose if it’s just sitting idle on your desk. Make the most of those initial touch points by following up to schedule time to talk, preferably in person (or if they’re at a distance, on the phone or Skype).
不管是在手機上做筆記，還是在Outlook日曆上設置提醒，還是創建一份電子數據表來記錄追蹤你所接觸過的人，你得創建一些自動化系統來提醒你跟進與人們的聯繫。當你在建立新的人際關係的時候，這麼做是特別重要的。那一疊商業名片如果只是靜靜地呆在你的桌子上，那麼就等於毫無用處。通過後續安排交談時間，最好是親自見面(如果他們在遠方，可以通過手機或視頻軟體)，這樣就能最大程度利用這些資源。
4. Make it a habit.
4. 養成習慣。
As you develop a system for seamlessly incorporating relationship building into your routine, also schedule regular meeting times with your manager or a colleague so that meeting in-person becomes a habit. Even if the purpose is simply to get to know someone better, more time face-to-face will help meeting in-person become second nature to you.
正如你系統地把人際關係無縫地融入到日常事務當中，你也要安排與經理或同事的定期會面時間，這樣親自會面就會成為一個習慣。即使這個目的只是想要更了解某個人，那麼越多花時間進行面對面交流，就越能幫助你把親自會面養成你的第二天性。
5. Enjoy it and get to know them!
5. 樂在其中並去認識他們!
Your most meaningful connections will be with people that not only respect you as a professional, but like what makes you unique. Chances are, they』ll be more likely to recommend you for a new job or provide a glowing reference if they’re personally vested in you. It’s that real and memorable connection that creates a foundation to build upon. Really take the time to connect and your professional relationships will bloom.
你最有意義的人際聯繫在於，對方不僅把你當專業人士般尊重你，還會欣賞你的獨特之處。很有可能，他們會更願意推薦你一份新的工作或者一份亮眼的推薦資源(如果他們本人就是你的人際關係資源)。正是那真實難忘的聯繫，創造了日後建立聯繫的基礎。真的，你要花時間去建立聯繫，這樣你的職場關係才會綻放光芒。