Aryan and Neha began their careers at the same time and both of them had the same qualifications too. After starting work, Neha dedicated herself to the job and focused solely on her responsibilities. She did not make an attempt to venture out of her immediate work environment. Aryan, on the other hand, also put efforts into building a professional network as he was starting in the industry. He regularly attended industry events, connected with peers on social media, and sought mentorship.
Over time, when the time came, Aryan was able to leverage his network to access new opportunities and receive support during challenging times. On the other hand, Neha struggled to find the right resources and help when she needed it. Aryan also managed to grow faster in his career during the initial years because of the effort he put into networking. This highlights how networking can make a critical impact on how you progress in your career.
Importance of Networking in Today’s World
In today’s competitive world, networking is more important than ever. You can no longer expect to grow impressively in your career by simply performing the tasks you get on the job. You also need to maintain a strong network and leverage it at the right time. Networking is the process of establishing and nurturing mutually beneficial relationships with others in professional circles. It involves connecting with colleagues, industry peers, mentors, and even potential employers.
Why Networking Matters?
- Access to opportunities: The biggest advantage of building a network is that you get to learn about any new and exciting opportunities quickly. In a competitive job market, learning about an opportunity sooner than others can make a lot of difference. According to a survey by LinkedIn, 85% of jobs are filled through networking, highlighting the significance of personal connections in the job market.
- Knowledge and insight: Another advantage of networking is that you are kept up to date with ongoing events in your industry and are directed towards the resources and events that help you upskill consistently. Being able to learn about industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices can help you stay ahead of the competition.
- Support and mentorship: One of the things that may be most difficult to find as a professional is a good mentor who guides you in the right direction. Networking can allow you to meet people who have significantly more experience than you and can support you in a time of need. According to a study by the Center for Creative Leadership, having a strong network and mentorship significantly contributes to career success and job satisfaction
- Personal branding: Building a brand of your own is really important in today’s time. By doing that, you can project yourself as someone who is a great resource and make the recruiters notice you. Networking can help you market your brand and establish you as a reliable resource.
Building Networking Skills
There are many ways in which you can build a strong network. Let us explore some of them:
- Attend industry events: This is a good starting point for anyone who is new in any industry or starting their career. Look for the events like seminars, conferences, workshops, etc., and then attend them. You are likely to meet a lot of people at such events who can help you at some point in your career.
- Leverage social media: We have many social media platforms today to help us stay connected to a community and also share our ideas with the world. Platforms like LinkedIn also make it easy for people to find and connect with professional networks and groups.
- Seek mentorship: This is really important for you if you are an early career professional and want to grow fast. Find a mentor who can not just help you upskill and learn about the industry, but can also introduce you to a large network of right people. Building a mentorship relationship requires reaching out to experienced professionals and expressing a genuine interest in learning from them.
- Follow up and maintain relationships: Networking is not just about making initial connections; it involves nurturing and maintaining relationships over time. Following up with new contacts, sending occasional messages, and offering help when needed are essential for building lasting connections.
Networking Beyond the Professional Sphere
While professional networking is a great example, it is not just limited to that. People from all walks of life can benefit from building a network. Here are a few examples:
- Students: Networking can help students access internship opportunities, mentorship, and career guidance. By connecting with alumni, professors, and industry professionals, students can gain insights into their chosen field and build a support system for their future careers.
- Entrepreneurs: For entrepreneurs, networking is essential for finding potential investors, partners, and customers. Building a strong network can help entrepreneurs access resources, gain market insights, and receive support during the startup journey.
- Job seekers: It can be a full time job to look for a job. One way is to keep applying for every opportunity that you come across online. But a more effective way is to reach out to people who work with the companies that you are interested in working with. Build contacts, talk to them, and then use it to land a job.
- Social life: Lastly, every individual who is a part of the society can benefit from building a network of friends, well-wishers, and acquaintances. These people can be of great help in a crisis situation or even in regular life.
Courses to Learn Networking Skills
For those looking to improve their networking skills, several courses and resources are available online:
- LinkedIn Learning – “Building Your Professional Network”: This course covers the essentials of building and maintaining a professional network, including strategies for effective networking and leveraging social media.
- Coursera – “Networking for Career Success”: Offered by the University of California, this course provides insights into networking strategies, relationship building, and leveraging networks for career advancement.
- Udemy – “The Complete Networking Guide: Personal & Professional”: This comprehensive course covers various aspects of networking, including building a personal brand, effective communication, and maintaining relationships.
- Harvard Extension School – “Strategic Networking”: This course focuses on strategic networking, helping professionals build and leverage networks for career growth and organizational success.
In this article, we explored the various reasons why networking skills are a must for you and we also touched on what you can do to build a network. Whether you are a professional, student, job seeker, or entrepreneur, investing in networking skills can enhance your career prospects and enrich your social interactions. You can check out the courses shared in the article, try out the suggestions, and come up with your own methods. If you have thoughts on how to build a network, please leave a comment below and let us know.
Smile’s work
In today’s interconnected world, networking is about creating access, sharing resources, and building communities of support. Smile Foundation emphasizes this by not only teaching youth hard skills but also coaching them in soft skills, which include communication, teamwork, and interpersonal networking. These abilities empower participants to confidently engage with peers, mentors, and industry leaders, fostering relationships that help secure jobs and drive personal development.
Beyond classrooms, Smile Foundation builds real-world connections for its youth by partnering with corporate employers and institutions. These collaborations result in exposure to industry requirements, direct mentorship opportunities, and tangible career pathways, transforming lives one connection at a time. Aryan’s story could very well be the story of thousands of Smile Foundation trainees—young people armed not only with skills but also with the confidence to navigate their careers through networking and mentorship.
