Ракшита Арни Равишанкар (Rakshitha Arni Ravishankar)Summary. Networking doesn’t have to feel opportunistic. It can be a moment to make genuine connections. Here’s how to get started:
Networking is not about meeting new people. It’s also a chance to connect with people you’ve known for a while but haven’t had the chance to interact with.
Use networking as an opportunity to help others. Think about what you’re good at, what you like to do, and what others often ask you to help with.
Instead of small talk, engage in conversations that are more intimate and help you as well as the other person become vulnerable, even if you’re meeting them for the first time.
Know that networking is not always inclusive. But you can change that narrative by owning your identity, understanding your strengths, and becoming confident.
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with networking. When I was in college, networking seemed transactional. I disliked the idea of building relationships for my own personal gain and small talk with strangers triggered my social anxiety. As I’ve grown in my career, however, I’ve learned that networking doesn’t have to be opportunistic.
Yes, networking can help you land jobs and gain access to new opportunities. But it can also be about making genuine connections, knowledge sharing, and giving back to others. It just depends on what you want and how you approach it.
If you’re feeling confused, anxious, or unsure about what networking really is, why it matters, and how to get started, here are some pieces of advice from our authors to help you move forward in a way that feels right for you.
Why is networking so important?
A professional network can offer you many things, but perhaps the most talked about, is career growth. Research shows that people with stronger networks end up with higher salaries and more promotions. It makes sense. The more connected you are to people at different job levels, both inside and outside of your organization, the more likely you are to know about new opportunities when they arise. When senior employees within your company know the great work you’re doing, the odds of them putting your name in for a promotion increase. The same can be said for people externally. If an employer is hiring for a position that matches your capabilities and ambitions, having the right connection at that company can help you get your resume to the hiring manager.