Professional networking is vital for career growth, but many find it awkward, associating it with cheesy events and ‘selling’ yourself. Despite this, building a professional network is essential for creating long-term relationships and a good reputation. It means meeting people you can help, and who can help you in return.
Engaging in career-focused networking can help you:
- Strengthen business connections.
- Raise your professional profile.
- Access job opportunities.
- Exchange knowledge.
- Build confidence.
- Find a great job.
The importance of networking
Networking is a crucial skill in any industry. A strong professional network, built on trust and support, can be the difference between a mediocre and a phenomenal career. With the right approach, you can build mutually beneficial relationships. A solid network means you’ll be the first to know about new job opportunities and a top candidate for anyone in your network looking to hire.
Who should be in your professional network?
The right contacts can maximize your career growth. Build your network with people from these groups:
- Current and former colleagues.
- Professors and teachers.
- Friends or family in your industry.
- Members of industry associations or social groups.
- Peers from professional networks like LinkedIn.
- Recruiters in your field.
Examples of professional networking
Networking can be anything from a casual chat to a formal industry event. The goal is always to open communication and build career-relevant relationships.
Common examples include:
- Joining industry associations.
- Attending networking events, conferences, or career fairs.
- Connecting with professionals on LinkedIn.
- Meeting with recruiters.
- Keeping in touch with colleagues (past and present).
- Volunteering in your community.
- Attending industry meetups.
- Joining virtual groups.
The biggest benefits of networking
Here are 12 reasons to build your professional network:
- Strengthen business connections: Networking is about sharing and building trust. Helping your contacts makes them more likely to help you in return.
- Get new ideas: Your network is a great source of new perspectives and insights you might not find on your own.
- Raise your professional profile: Being visible at events helps you get noticed. By offering your expertise, you can build a reputation as a knowledgeable professional.
- Grow your personal brand: Visibility helps you become known as a reliable expert in your field.
- Access more job opportunities: An expanded network leads to new career opportunities. Many senior roles are never advertised, so a network is key to accessing these hidden jobs.
Connections for business - Exchange best practices: Networking keeps you updated on the latest industry trends and techniques.
- Receive career advice and support: Gaining advice from experienced peers is a major benefit. Discussing challenges can lead to valuable suggestions.
- Build confidence: Meeting new people helps you step out of your comfort zone, which builds social skills and self-confidence.
- Gain a different perspective: Networking provides fresh eyes on a situation, helping you see things in a new light and overcome roadblocks.
- Develop long-lasting relationships: Many strong friendships start as professional connections with like-minded people.
- Get answers to any question: A strong network can help you find answers to tough questions or serve as a sounding board for brainstorming.
- Find your dream job: Networking opens doors to career advice, new relationships, and potentially your dream role. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about great opportunities first.
How to start networking
Networking doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and starting a conversation with a stranger can be intimidating.
A good approach is to plan ahead. Have a few talking points ready before an event. They don’t have to be about work — they can be about hobbies or the event itself. The goal is simply to start a conversation and create an opening for future contact.
