Julie is dissatisfied at her job. She is good at what she does. She likes most of her colleagues. But she isn’t being challenged. She’s half-heartedly looking for alternative jobs, but whole-heartedly complaining to friends about her frustrations. They recommend networking. She rolls her eyes and thinks, “I reached out to some former co-workers… What else can I do?” She’s woefully unaware of all the types of professional networking, let alone how they could improve her experience where she’s at right now.
What is professional networking?
Professional networking sees you build and nurture relationships with other people that can support your personal growth and career advancement. They might provide advice, mentor you, or connect you with fresh opportunities.
Successful networking establishes mutually beneficial connections between professionals. This can help you develop your skills and experience and ultimately enhance your engagement with work or advance your career.
Types of professional networking
One way to differentiate career networking types is to think of them in terms of three broad categories:
- Operational—These individuals relate to your current role and responsibilities, including co-workers, clients, and vendors.
- Personal—People in your personal network are connected to you through other aspects of your life. This might include fellow alumnae, professors, neighbors, friends, family, and people you meet at conferences or industry events.
- Strategic—Someone who is both an operational and personal connection could be part of your strategic network. For example, a colleague that leaves your company but that you remain in touch with after their departure.
That said, there are many common networking approaches that can help your career journey and professional advancement. We’ll explore those in more detail next.
Common networking opportunities—online
The social media platform LinkedIn is designed to support online networking. The site makes it easy to connect with people across your professional, personal, and strategic networks.
You might also join, follow, or like professional associations or trade groups on Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter) to connect with others in your industry. You can keep up with industry peers sharing news and insights and join discussions relevant to your profession.
Look also for online forums and communities related to your field. This can help you connect with professionals globally. You can see what people are talking about in your industry, find out about new technologies, and discuss best practices in your area of expertise.
Networking in real life
Another great way to network? Get off your computer and go out into the real world. Attending conferences and seminars, participating in training workshops, and going to trade shows can help you meet others in your field. You can establish connections with potential clients and employers while also learning about industry trends and expanding your skill set.
In your community, you could look to attend networking mixers. These more relaxed, social events let you meet other professionals with whom you already share a commonality (e.g., industry, age, gender, location). Volunteering is another great way to meet new people you might not otherwise encounter. Volunteer with activities related to your skills and interests to meet likeminded individuals.
Joining your educational institution’s alumni association can also link you to other professionals who might influence your career trajectory. By attending alumni events or reunions, you can build and maintain relationships with former classmates and faculty.
You might also participate in a mentorship program. Many educational institutions, companies, and professional organizations can help connect you with a mentor to provide guidance and advice.
When you seek a new job opportunity or want to change careers, job fairs can help you meet recruiters and the hiring professionals at various companies. You’ll be able to establish an initial connection that can make easier the next contact with that individual about a particular opening or opportunity.
Benefits of networking professionally
Taking advantage of these many approaches to networking can help your career growth and personal development. Consider the following advantages the next time you feel reluctant to make the effort to network:
- Increase your visibility in your industry
- Grow your chances of hearing about opportunities
- Build your pool of people who might offer referrals and recommendations
- Expand your awareness of what’s involved in career advancement by interacting with mentors, industry leaders, and experienced professionals
- Exchange of ideas helps you learn best practices in your field
- Access to diversity of perspectives can provide a wealth of knowledge
- Develop skills at workshops or trainings while enhancing your soft skills
- Gain access to resources such as job leads, industry reports, and educational opportunities
- Find solutions to career challenges by having other experts to tap for guidance and advice
- Build a sense of self-assurance and professionalism by engaging with others and sharing experiences
- Foster your overall well-being building relationships that provide encouragement and emotional support
See networking as an opportunity
Networking can open doors to opportunities and collaborations and enhance your professional journey. Increasing your confidence and building your skill set can boost your overall experience at work. Your connections could lead to collaboration and business growth that leave you feeling more engaged. Expanding your industry awareness can also improve your satisfaction with where you are today and save you the trouble of a new job search.
Next in this series, we’ll discuss how businesses can support interoffice networking and how it helps the organization.
In the meantime, if you want a better idea of how your employees feel about networking, mentoring, and other elements of your work environment and culture, contact us.
