Learning how to network better is one of the most fundamental career skills you can develop. Good networking can open all kinds of doors, presenting opportunities that might never have seemed possible before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this networking deep dive, we\u2019ll be sharing some simple steps you can take to connect with your peers and develop professional relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, usually we like to keep things short and sweet here at Career Navig8r, but networking is such a huge topic that we felt the only way we could do it justice was by expanding our scope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With this guide to networking, we wanted to create a powerful resource for you to refer back to and even share with any friends, family, or colleagues who might find it useful. In order to make things more manageable, we\u2019ve split our topics up into smaller discrete sections that can be read individually or in sequence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before we get into the nitty gritty details, first it\u2019s important to understand what the aim of networking really is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The easy answer is that you network so that you can get a job. That\u2019s true enough but there\u2019s also more to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being part of an industry means, in a sense, being part of a culture. If you take pride in your work, if you love what you do, then networking is an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences. Sometimes that\u2019s practical and other times it\u2019s personal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The line between business relationship and friendship can be blurry at times but more often than not there\u2019s a pretty clear distinction. All the same, there\u2019s a real joy in sharing a professional camaraderie that extends beyond the practical scope of your career. Getting to know the people you work with and people in your industry can be another path to enjoying what you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s not to say there aren’t any career benefits – far from it. Aside from the fact that being happier in and prouder of your work is a massive benefit all by itself, networking can be very helpful in a professional context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are your company shifting towards a new area of the industry? Well isn\u2019t it fortunate you\u2019ve got a friend who\u2019s been working in that area for quite some time. Looking for an extra contractor to bring on so you can finish a major project? Your boss will be delighted when you recommend someone who knows what they\u2019re doing and has the experience to back it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then of course, there\u2019s the job stuff. There\u2019s no doubt about it, if you want a promotion or if you want to find a better job then networking is the way to get there. Networking isn\u2019t just a means to an end, but as a means to an end it\u2019s incredibly effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, without further ado, let\u2019s learn how to network better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reaching out to people can be stressful – especially in connection with work. As an entry-level\/junior employee, many people get into the habit of waiting for others to contact them. After all, other people give the instructions, you just execute them, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning to actively communicate is not only a fundamental workplace skill but it\u2019s also a vital part of your wider career development. Whether you’re sharing your ideas with the team or simply passing on important information, knowing when to make yourself heard can often be the difference between promotion and stagnation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The same is true when it comes to networking. It might sound harsh, but if you don\u2019t reach out to people, they\u2019re not likely to remember you. You have to make an impression and to do that you have to be willing to put yourself forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If all your former colleagues know you\u2019re looking for a new job, then they\u2019re more likely to put your name forward when there\u2019s an opening at their company. If you haven\u2019t told them, then the chances are they won\u2019t think to do that. It really is that simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, the hardest part of active communication for many people is overcoming the sheer anxiety that comes with reaching out to another person. If you’re someone who struggles with that, then just remember that it gets easier over time. The first time you reach out to someone it can feel like an impossible barrier to overcome but the more you do it, the smaller that barrier becomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or, to put it simply, practice really does make perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No modern guide to networking would be complete without talking about social media. LinkedIn and other online platforms have become a core part of the networking puzzle in recent years and there\u2019s a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These platforms offer employers a place to find and research potential candidates. At the same time, they offer you a chance to be part of the wider conversation happening in your field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In many ways, these kinds of social media platforms are a place for you to build up a brand – an image of who you are and what you could bring to a company. We\u2019ll talk more on personal branding later but for now, remember that social media is the best tool you have for putting your face out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not that social media platforms are your only online option. The rise of the website portfolio has also had a huge impact on the landscape. If you want a quick and flashy way to share who you are and what you do, a website could be ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that being said, the most effective solution is to combine as many of these strategies as possible. Have a presence on multiple platforms and be sure to crosspost. Make sure all your bios link to your website where people can see your work for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When all\u2019s said and done, there\u2019s almost always more you could be doing to network online but after a while you may start to see diminishing returns. That\u2019s when you need to start thinking about your brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s face it, the phrase personal brand is a bit of an oxymoron. To many of us brands are by their nature impersonal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sure, a company might say they\u2019ve got your best interests in mind but that\u2019s just the marketing department talking. Does that mean every individual at the company cares about your experience? Possibly, but there\u2019s no way to know for sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re first trying to brand yourself, that too can feel clunky and inauthentic. Maybe Jason the engineer really is passionate about effective problem solving or maybe he put that on his CV because he thought that\u2019s what employers would want to hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s no one size fits all solution to personal branding but the key is to remember it\u2019s a balancing act. It\u2019s about knowing how to sound totally authentic when talking about your passion for the job without mentioning that you sometimes sleep through your alarm and have to get ready for work in a last minute scramble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there is a trick to personal branding then it\u2019s learning where to draw the line. Not everything you post online has to be super positive but it doesn\u2019t have to be totally sanitized either – especially not if you\u2019re working in a creative discipline. Yes you have to be mindful of what might turn an employer away but it\u2019s that same authenticity that another employer will love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, even in 2025 some employers still might not want to hire you if you have dyed hair, piercings, or tattoos. They might not say as much but it could have an impact nonetheless. What you have to consider, however, is whether or not you want that person as your boss in the first place?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reality is that most employers won\u2019t care about those things so long as you\u2019re good at what you do. If that\u2019s the case, then why would you want to work for someone who won\u2019t let you be yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, as we said before, knowing where to draw that line can be a challenge so here\u2019s a list of the major do\u2019s and don’ts for constructing your online personal brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do\u2019s:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019ts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s not an exhaustive list, but hopefully it gives you a clear idea of good, professional online etiquette. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If all of the above sounds far too 2025 for you, then don\u2019t worry! Good old fashioned, face to face networking isn\u2019t gone just yet and it\u2019s still perfectly possible to learn how to network better without spending all day in front of a computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While networking in person can be slower it can also be more stable. By going to industry events and meeting people in person, the connections you make can be more memorable and more meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In many ways, in person networking is going for depth over breadth. Although it can be harder to find these opportunities, when you get the chance to meet people face to face, you also get the chance to leave a strong impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not that in-person networking is just about events. Some of the most effective networking you\u2019ll ever do happens in the workplace between you and your colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Karma may or may not be real in a spiritual sense – that\u2019s not a debate we\u2019re qualified to weigh in on – but in a professional sense karma is very much a real force. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the people you work with love working with you, if they find you hard working and dedicated, then they\u2019ll want to work with you again. If a representative from another company industry is impressed by their interactions with you, then you could very well get head hunted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most people think that to get noticed for your work you have to be the best of the best and that even then you have to get lucky. While this certainly can be true and we don\u2019t want to deny the existence of thankless jobs, networking is also one case where just being kind and generous to others can help a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether it\u2019s on a one-to-one level or a more public platform, having a reputation for being pleasant to work with is the single best accreditation you can have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last but certainly not least, the one thing anyone should do if they want to get better at networking is always, always, ALWAYS, think about what they\u2019re bringing to their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every job you have will make you part of a community, be that just your workplace colleagues or the wider community of your industry. How you give back to your community is up to you but being willing to share advice and occasionally taking the time to go above and beyond in helping others can be extremely beneficial in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve ever heard the expression \u2018paying it forward\u2019 then you\u2019ll know what we mean. Sometimes you don\u2019t get the chance to help the people who helped you, so instead you help the next person down the ladder and hope that they do likewise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the best case scenario your employer might notice this tendency and recognise it for what it is – a good manager\u2019s mindset. Being willing to take on responsibilities and help people achieve their best is, at the end of the day, the sign of someone who\u2019s well suited to leading a team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the worst case scenario, you\u2019ve done your best to make the industry around you a better place and that doesn\u2019t seem so bad to us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking for a faster way to meet people in your industry? Did you know that by working with a mentor you can make connections within their network and kickstart your career? Sign up today to find out more about what mentoring could do for you.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Learning how to network better is one of the most fundamental career skills you can develop. Good networking can open all kinds of doors, presenting opportunities that might never have seemed possible…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mentoring-101"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n