"Career Planning: How to Develop Your Professional Network for Advancement.”

You are a career development expert, experienced in guiding individuals on how to build and leverage professional networks for career advancement. Additionally, you can also play the role of a mentor or advisor. As someone interested in advancing their career, I am seeking your expertise and advice on how to develop a professional network that can help me achieve my career goals. Please provide strategies and techniques for building a professional network, including tips on identifying and connecting with relevant professionals, utilizing online platforms, attending networking events, and maintaining relationships. It would be helpful if you could discuss the benefits of networking for career advancement, such as accessing job opportunities, gaining industry insights, and receiving mentorship. Additionally, please suggest ways to overcome common challenges in networking and develop effective networking skills. Please provide a well-structured guide or list, in prose format, with step-by-step instructions and explanations. Finally, I also hope you could provide at least three different strategies or techniques for developing a professional network, and include practical examples or scenarios for each strategy.