Why is Networking Important? Step-by-Step Tips to Build Your Career Using Networking
You might have already heard how networking is important for a professional career, along these lines: “It is not what you know, it is who you know.” It is true, because what happens when you put your resume into an online application portal for a company? It gets lost in the clutter, right? According to an article on LinkedIn, only 20% of employment comes through direct applications, in other words, submitting your resume to job postings on company websites or job boards due to high competition and filtering out the majority of resumes using applicant tracking systems (ATS). Therefore, it is imperative that you consider other ways to earn a job: networking. Let’s unpack that idea completely.
What is Networking?
So, what is networking, exactly? Great question. Networking is the process of building, nurturing, and maintaining professional relationships to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. You can network with others (particularly in your industry) to foster career growth, discover job opportunities, and gain industry insights all to create genuine connections with others. Hopefully, networking is not one-sided. In other words, hopefully networking benefits both you and the other person. The other thing to note is that networking should be a career-long process; in other words, it is not just something you do when you’re looking for a job.
The Three Cs of Networking
Networking is all about these Cs: cultivating connection, communication, and collaboration. Here is what it means:
- Cultivating connection: Cultivating connection means stoking connections with other professionals. There are many different ways to cultivate connections. For example, you can reach out via email, through a social profile, etc. Simply reach out — that’s what “cultivating connection” means.
- Communication: Communication means actually connecting with professionals in your field. You can communicate face to face or through other opportunities, which we will discuss more in depth.
- Collaboration: Collaboration involves keeping in contact with these professionals after you’ve met. Ideally, it’s a connection that will be a give-and-take relationship over time.
Keep these Cs in mind when you are developing your networking habits.
Why is Networking Important for Your Career?
Many, many jobs are not posted publicly. Jobs are usually filled through personal and professional contacts. Networking can help you over your entire career. You simply want to create relationships, because many people simply want to choose someone they know and have interacted with before. Seems like a safer option than choosing someone they have never met, isn’t it? So, start building that level of trust now, and you can do that while in high school or college. Why not? You will also want to build as large of a network as possible, so doing things like meeting industry leaders for coffee, talking to your professors about past students, engaging with alumni, and attending networking events. Capitalizing on these relationships can pay dividends later on.
Networking serves as an avenue to:
- Create long-term relationships
- Acquire mutual professional benefits
- Connect between others who are not in the same area
- Transition between careers
- Grow as an individual (personally and professionally)
- Attain goals for your future
How to Network to Advance Your Career
You can network in different ways short of calling up someone to connect. Here are a few things you can do:
- Volunteer: Volunteering is a great way to get experience. Organizations like your city’s historical society can bring you together and give you great opportunities to network.
- Attend career fairs: Career fairs are a great way for college students to meet professionals. You get a chance to talk to specialists in your field, ask questions, and get information about the industry.
- Look into professional associations: Professional associations often have local chapters that offer networking, training, and access to job opportunities. Many offer opportunities to college students to join groups at a discounted rate. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) even has a free associate membership for new college architecture grads.
- Professional social media: Use networking on sites like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your area. Introduce yourself on these sites, join discussions, ask questions, and get involved in person.
- Discuss with your school’s career center: Your college’s career center will be only too happy to help you discuss connections you can make. For example, they may have suggestions about internships, apprenticeships, mentoring programs, local associations, and more.
There are several steps to networking, whether you are undergoing the job searching process, whether you are a seasoned professional, when you’re on the search for entry-level jobs, or even when trying to land an internship. As you can see, networking never ends throughout your career. However, there are three major steps: before a networking opportunity, during, and after. Let’s take a closer look. Learn more: How to Choose a Career as a Teenager and How to Get an Internship in High School.
Before Networking
First, set a goal. How many people do you want to network with? One per week? Write down a goal to connect with one person — it could be over coffee, at the golf club, or even with your best friend’s uncle. It could even involve getting a business card for someone at a conference. Whatever it is, write down your goal. Next, take action by doing the following:
- Make a list of people you know
- Review your LinkedIn connections
- Remind yourself of internship connections, jobs, and other places where you met peers and supervisors
Next, think of the top questions you have. Throw them into ChatGPT if you are not sure what you should ask during networking opportunities, but they can align with questions like the following: What can you tell me about XYZ career path? How did you get to where you are today? What do you suggest I do if I want to take the same career path? Do your homework about the person you will work with. Check out their LinkedIn profile or ask your neighbor about the person he is connecting you with.
During Networking
Right before you leave for your networking opportunity, check to ensure you are dressed to impress. You obviously want to ensure you are dressing to impress the individual you plan to meet, but you also want to feel great. (And you want to give a great handshake.) Also, bring out the questions that go over well during networking:
- What was your path to get to where you are now?
- What advice would you give to people who want to achieve what you have? What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
- What have you done to take your career to the next level?
- What do you still want to accomplish in your career?
- What are your strategies for leadership?
- What influenced your career choices?
- What challenges do you face in your career?
More importantly, you need to listen. Follow the conversation closely without waiting to speak or ask a question. Really absorb what they’re telling you and ask questions only after you have listened to what they have asked. Finally, respect this person’s time. If you scheduled an hour-long conversation, keep your questions and conversation to an hour unless they give you permission to go longer.
After Networking
Once you are done networking, offer a firm handshake and thank them again for their time. Ask for permission to follow them on social media. Then, send a thank you, whether via email or snail mail. We recommend a handwritten note because it’s often more impactful than an email. It often shows a deeper appreciation for them taking the time to meet. Then, stay in touch with the individual you met with. Whenever you see an opportunity to connect later on, go for it. For example, you could send an email three months later that says, “Dear [Name], It was so great to talk to you a few months ago. I attended a lecture at a conference that reminded me about the [insert topic name] we discussed. The leader of the lecture was your former colleague! Thanks again for meeting, [Your Name].” Finally, start it all over again. Start with the next person and walk through the “before,” “during,” and “after” networking steps. Learn more: What to Do on the First Day of Your Internship
Types of Networking
It is important to note that there are various ways to network, but here are your major options: face-to-face networking and remote networking.
Face-to-Face Networking
We discussed face-to-face networking earlier and how to do it, but in the case of a sit-down coffee meeting. However, face-to-face networking can occur in a wide variety of settings, not just in sit-down meetings. Some face-to-face opportunities can also include the following:
- Industry nights
- Career fairs
- Conferences
- Meet and greets with alumni
- Seminars
Remote Networking
Remote networking means you meet with people through online platforms. It is a great way to connect with people, because if you are living in Michigan but want to connect with someone in New York, you are likely not going to be able to fly to New York to meet with someone! Therefore, remote networking through virtual platforms can help you meet. In addition, you can use specific platforms, as mentioned:
- Handshake
- Indeed
- School portals
- Alumni network
If you are interested in a bit more passive networking, this is the way to do it. For example, you might share an article and LinkedIn and ask them their thoughts, engage people on social media, give them a comment and a like. However, again, this is more passive, and professionals may not realize you’re trying to reach out to them. Reaching out to people more directly (in person, over the phone, via email) is the best way to go.
Make Networking a Habit Throughout Your Life
Networking allows you to work with many people across many parts of your career and can get you started on advancing your future. Work to establish a strategy to help you advance, and be intentional about it. A relationship through networking can help you gain mentors throughout your professional career, whether you meet in person or virtually. Take your time and continue to build connections with people while you’re in college as well. Ready to make networking a habit, improve your resume, and learn more about how to get the job? Reach out to Campus to Career Crossroads to get started. Campus to Career Crossroads has years of experience helping professionals just like you find jobs and crush interviews. Learn more: What to Do at a Career Fair to Get an Interview and Is it Better to Apply on LinkedIn or a Company Website?
FAQs
Still have questions? Let’s take a look at several questions and answers.
What are the benefits of networking?
The benefits of networking include potential career growth, access to hidden job opportunities, and enhanced industry visibility. It is also possible to gain mentors and accelerate your career through networking. In terms of soft skills, regularly meeting people can help you improve your confidence and communication skills.
What is networking, and why is it so important?
Networking involves building professional connections, and it is important because it can help you develop a cohort of people who can help you throughout your professional life. If you are in the middle of your career or just beginning, it is worth having a professional network to fall back on, and it is extremely valuable to get started during college. There are endless benefits to having a strong professional network.
What are the 3 C’s of networking?
Networking is all about cultivating connection, communication, and collaboration: Stoking connections with other professionals, connecting with professionals in your field, and keeping in contact with the professionals you meet. Ideally, it is a connection that will be a give-and-take relationship over time.
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