As a young professional starting in your career, it can be hard to know how to build a professional network. When you’re starting from scratch, the task seems daunting. However, there’s no denying that a strong network is one of the keys to a successful career. Connections are a great way to get a job, to find a mentor, and to get inspiration. The top leaders in today’s business world will tell you their network is the most important element of their professional toolkit.
But how can you build a professional network if you’re starting from zero? This is a question many students and recent graduates find themselves asking. Developing a strong network indeed takes years and a lot of hard work. But don’t worry – it’s not impossible to get started. Even if you can’t attend large in-person networking events, there are still endless ways to make lasting connections.
Try these tips if you’re trying to make key professional connections:
1. Keep it real
When it comes to how to improve your professional networking skills, authenticity is key. At the very root of networking, it’s about connecting with other people, finding common ground, and exploring the mutual interests you have with others. So, don’t overthink it. It’s less about coming off as smart and powerful and more about being present and interested in others. Look at networking as merely a chance to get to know new people who happen to work in the same and similar industries. Smile, introduce yourself, ask questions, and relax.
2. Always do your best work and be a team player
Networking doesn’t have to occur at conferences or fancy events, it also happens at your job, school, or internship. Whenever you prove your competence to those around you, you’re communicating to the rest of your team that you’re a person to depend on and you do a good job. The same goes for people who work well as a team. When you build up a positive reputation where you work, your coworkers become part of your network. They can vouch for your skill and work ethic and may end up making useful professional introductions for you in the future. Never burn bridges at a job – you don’t know where those bridges might lead to one day.
3. Connect with alumni
The best place to start building a network is with people you already know or who share a similar background. Alumni groups from your university are excellent hunting grounds for useful contacts. Many universities have Facebook groups for alumni. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of these resources! Ask your fellow alumni for advice on your industry or a job application. You might even find a great reference or a resource who’s willing to do an informational interview. In addition to university alumni, think about groups you’ve been a part of, such as fraternities or sororities. Alumni of those groups can also make great resources and can connect you to people they know outside of the alumni circle. And don’t forget that you can give back to these groups as well! Keep an eye out for people you might be able to help, or introductions you could make.
4. Don't be shy!
When it comes to networking, it doesn’t pay off to be shy. Being bold and stopping to say hello is the first step to building a strong professional relationship. You don’t have to be at an official networking event to reach out. Many places can be great for networking if you can work up the courage to introduce yourself. Take advantage of every networking event and professional opportunity that comes your way. Being passive won’t get you anywhere, particularly when you’re in a busy environment with many other professionals vying for attention. Take it upon yourself to start the conversation, to introduce yourself, and even connect your friends and colleagues.
5. Know what you have to offer
When going into a networking situation, it’s important to know what you have to offer. Think of everyone as a potential contact, potential future employer, reference or colleague. Knowing your worth and identifying your skills will help drive the conversation, and help you get what you want out of the opportunity. Don't be afraid to hype yourself up and let people know what you can bring to a potential role or organization. Know yourself and what interests those around you – especially people in your industry. Don’t pick up hobbies just for the sake of rubbing elbows, but develop your own variety of skills, knowledge, and interests to add into the mix. Become someone of interest to people who are further along in their careers so that they are genuinely curious about you and more invested in dedicating some of their time to you.
6. Get active on social media
Social media is increasingly becoming the leading tool for communication within many industries. Follow leaders in your field on X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and even TikTok! Engage with their content, and connect with others in your field. This will ensure you have a good sense of what’s going on in the industry. You’ll also know who the key players are, and get their advice on success. Getting your name out there is a crucial aspect of networking. Make sure to have your professional website and LinkedIn connected to your email signature. Also have your sites linked to your social media and printed on business cards. The more interconnected your social media platforms are, the better. Thanks to the instantaneous and border-free nature of online communication, professional networking has evolved rapidly. Although in-person networking is the best way to make new professional connections, learning how to network online through social media and email can vastly improve your overall networking game.
7. Schedule informational interviews
Networking usually becomes a priority for people actively looking for a new job. Remember that to build a professional network, you need to make connections when you’re not looking for a job too. Informational interviews are a great way to make connections and get advice you can use later when you begin a job search. Reach out to your existing connections and ask to schedule a few minutes of their time. Don’t shy away from cold calling either. Identify a list of people whose advice you would truly like to hear. These should be professionals who have a job you’d like to someday try, or who have a career trajectory you aspire to. Reach out to them and explain why you’d like to chat. Of course, not everyone will get back to you, but there are a lot of people willing to lend some time to someone just starting.
8. Don’t be afraid of LinkedIn
Many young professionals enter the job market without ever having used LinkedIn seriously. However, LinkedIn is still the top professional platform for most industries. It’s a perfect tool for identifying those professionals you’d like to schedule informational interviews with. It also has a tool for finding out which of your existing connections can make useful introductions at a company or in a field. Of course, the first step is to spruce up your own LinkedIn profile. Make sure to write a succinct but compelling description of yourself, and keep it updated as you change jobs or gain new experience. When linking on LinkedIn with people you've met at events, make sure to send a request with a short message, reminding your new contact where and how you met. With half a billion reported users, LinkedIn is an excellent place to start networking online. With millions of job postings, it’s a reliable tool for finding work, connecting with professionals, and learning more about the companies you’re interested in. Setting up an X profile linked to your LinkedIn that includes a professional description and a professional email listed, is another way to connect with people. Other networking sites like AngelList are helpful for joining a start-up company, while BranchOut is a similar platform to LinkedIn to get connected to other professionals and job listings.
9. Practice cultural sensitivity
As a global professional or an international intern, you’ll likely spend time networking in different countries, cultures, and languages. Cultural sensitivity is one of the most important business networking tips. Being aware of what is polite and what makes people uncomfortable will go a long way when making new connections. Should you shake hands or bow? How close should you stand? Is it acceptable to ask personal questions? Do a bit of reading beforehand and prepare yourself for networking in a multicultural setting.
10. Create situations to connect
Being a host can put you under a lot of pressure. However, these high-pressure situations pay off. Hosting an event is a great way to invite important influencers to share. When starting a networking event, you’re probably not going to invite the CEO to your home. But if you plan an office event at a new nearby restaurant or even at the office, you will be responsible for bringing lots of professionals together – you’ll become the center of the network.
11. Communicate clearly and concisely
If you're reaching out to people for online networking, keep things short and to the point. People are extremely busy and are likely to be frightened off by a long email. Give a short introduction, try to establish some common ground, ask your question or make your request, and wish the person a good day. All correspondence should be spelled correctly too to remain professional.
12. Follow up and stay in touch
The most important thing to do as you’re building a professional network is to follow up with people you meet, and then stay in touch with them. When you meet someone in person at an event, ask for their business card or email. If you don’t get that, find them on LinkedIn, and send a personalized message with your connection request. For people who spend time chatting and giving you advice, make sure to send a quick thank-you email, as well as connect on the relevant platforms. Continuing to engage with these connections after your initial introduction is key. Fortunately, LinkedIn makes that very easy. Another great way to build and maintain those bonds is to make introductions of your own. Remember – as you’re building your network, always be thinking about what you can do for your new connections, and not just what they can do for you.
13. Be kind
Being genuinely nice doesn’t mean that you’re a pushover or less of a professional – it just means that you are pleasant to work with. Being respectful and kind in the office will make people naturally drawn to you. That way, when you do need to ask a favor one day, it won’t be a problem because you’re the kind of person that your colleagues want to help out.
