20 ways to start networking today. like right now.
networking is cool again. you heard it here first.
Writing about networking feels hard, not because I don’t have anything to say, but because the association with the word networking isn’t a positive one. In fact, if I had to visualize how people react to the word networking when I bring it up, it might look something like this mood board:
Why I network
I didn’t land where I am today by chance. Most jobs I secured started with having an “in” at my future employer. Even this past year, when I decided to leave corporate life, networking helped me visualize a new path that I couldn’t see on my own. All this is to say that my professional career is fueled by the people I know - the old coworkers, the future coworkers and the people who shift my perspective.
For many of my coaching clients, students and friends, one of the biggest commonalities is an underinvestment in networking. Networking happens when it has to happen - when you’re desperate to leave a job or, worst case, when you’ve already been laid off. It’s a “back against the wall” situation. But…what if it wasn’t?
Whether you stick with one career path or have a series of different roles, the pattern that repeats itself over and over is that of finding new work. So, if we all know that networking fuels this, why don’t we do it more? Well, 1) life gets in the way 2) it takes some effort and 3) it can be really uncomfortable putting yourself out there.
I hear you.
But hear me out.
I’m a product person so I’m going to suggest you start small. I’m also going to throw a lot of ideas at you. I don’t think anyone should be doing all of these things all at once. Treat this list as a delicious buffet of options, not a to-do list. Networking is going to look different depending upon where you’re at in your career. So identify where you’re at, what your goals are and consider doing something to help your future self by networking this Fall.
I also want to offer a reframe of networking as connecting. I speak for everyone when I say that we all need a bit more connection in our lives right now. The real kind too, not the liking on Instagram or the commenting on TikTok.
Here’s a buffet of 20 simple ways to start networking connecting today, like right now, for wherever you might be in your career journey…
When you’re starting a new job…👶
You’re probably riding high from all the networking you just did to get this damn job. Who needs to network now? You. Yes you.
Make a “people to meet” list and schedule one-on-one calls 📝
Building your at-work network is essential within the first six months of starting a new job. Beyond the simple intros, it’s on you to make yourself known.
Ask your manager or new friendly coworker to make a list of “people to meet” in your first month. Schedule time to meet with them one-on-one.
Before you meet:
Send a courtesy slack or email to ask for their time.
If possible, send a proposed meeting time, giving them the ability to move the meeting to a time that works for them. Your schedule is a lot more flexible than theirs (for now).
When you get together:
Find out what’s going well and what’s not in their day-to-day.
Ask them what they wish they knew when they started at the company.
Show and tell them how you’ve worked with people in their function (or similar functions) in your past roles.
Ask these people who else to meet with at the company to build your list.
Think of it like a MLM - but the good kind. Each person you meet should be able to give you at least 2 new people to contact. And so the pyramid grows.
Find “your people” within your new company 👭
If you’re lucky, your company will have employee resource groups to join.
Drop into a meeting, slip into a slack channel. See who you meet. Go again. Some of the best co working friendships I’ve made have sprung from these non-work related activities. Hey Anna!
Participate in an event that’s NOT related to your job.
Building relationships outside of your team is important for your job and your future self. Make sure to start early.
Attend an event sponsored by an employee resource group. Become a union delegate. Sign up to volunteer. Show up and the connections will follow and hopefully flow.
Find “your people” within your industry 👩👧
Networking is inherently less transactional right now and it feels oh so good. You don’t need anything from anyone. Spend this time getting to know people in your new space in a relaxed way.
Follow thought leaders - wherever they are.
Many of them will be on LinkedIn. But a lot of people writing on LinkedIn also have newsletters (heyyy). Newsletters are great, passive ways to stay engaged. Like google alerts.
Join relevant communities.
If you’re new to the space, find groups where people in your industry are talking. My new favorite place to do that is on Slack. Seek out functional communities (like Lenny’s Slack for product people) and dive into domain channels for inspiration.
Be mindful that everyone has their medium of choice. Some people are more active in Slack or Discord channels than on LinkedIn or vice versa. See where people are and be patient if they take time getting back to you.
Read/listen to things. Make it a part of your weekly content diet.
Identify the ways you like to learn and engage - video, audio, reading - and make it part of your routine. Not motivated to consume? Its probably not that interesting to you, so leave it.
When you’ve been at your job at least a year and truly forgot what networking means…👵
This is when networking feels the hardest/ickiest because you’re likely 1) out of practice and 2) feeling super anxious about doing it. I work with a lot of folks who have been at their companies for awhile and are trying to figure out what’s next for them in their careers. You know who might have answers? People who walked in your shoes. Start networking earlier than you think. Even if you’re really enjoying your job! There is nothing worse than rebuilding a networking practice while you’re finding a new job. Trust me. Been there, done that.
Hit up people outside of your team for coffee chats ☕️
Talk to new people at your company - people who are enjoying the job or in roles that you aspire to.
This is the time to practice cold outreach to people you’re curious about or even impressed by. It’ll be a lot easier to secure a meeting with an SVP or a renown leader at your company if you’re already at the company.
Get that meeting on the calendar now and do your homework before.
Be curious about their career path and learn from their mistakes.
Learn about career pivots while you’re already at a company.
So many people I work with are trying to pivot into another function. Maybe you’re an analyst trying to get into UX design? A business person trying to get into product management? You likely have resources at your fingertips!
Interview your fellow coworkers and learn about how they made it into the role you want. Too many times people look outwards rather than inwards at this stage. Letting your coworkers know you’re interested in trying new things is not a threat to your job!
The social anxiety and discomfort that comes with networking is real. Practice in low stakes environments - with people at your company when you really don’t need anything from them - and watch it get easier over time.
Put yourself out there in a new way - that feels authentic to you 🏃♀️
So many people I work with look at me with terror and ask “do I need to be posting on LinkedIn?!” I ask them if they like to write and if they say no, I give them a big hell no, you do not have to become a LinkedIn influencer. Rather, participate in ways that feel authentic to you.
But maybe you do like to write.
If writing a newsletter or even writing an original LinkedIn post feels too daunting, try reacting to someone else’s post. Throw a comment on a LinkedIn post or repost it with your original thoughts. People love that LinkedIn engagement. Boosts their posts in the algorithms, ya know?
Or maybe you’re an audio or video person. It’s never been easier to experiment with content creation. What’s stopping you? Everyone started with 0 views at one point. SEND ME YOUR POST AND I WILL ENGAGE WITH IT.
Maybe you’re a learner - endlessly curious about your field or customers.
Get back in the mix going to conferences and events - in person when you can.
Find talks, mixers, conferences to get back into the networking of things. Even better, get your company to pay for it.
Make yourself available for networking 🤝
Become a mentor.
There are so many wonderful networking platforms available now. Sign up for one and be the person people want to network with. Take calls from aspiring professionals looking to get to where you are.
Try Tandem, Merit, ADPList.org to name a few.
Take the interview, before you’re ready.
Take the interview from the recruiter who slid into your LinkedIn DMs even if you’re not ready or not interested in the role.
Use the opportunity to practice your elevator pitch and see how it sounds in the market. Maybe unexpectedly get your interest peaked.
Looking for a job 🔍
I know I don’t need to preach the importance of networking here. So below are just some more ideas to fuel your search.
Build some lists, get organized, set a goal 🎯
Build a list of interesting people and then follow them.
Engage with thought leaders and others on LinkedIn purposefully.
If it makes sense, do some cold outreach but keep it relevant.
Do your homework - Are they on a podcast? Do they have a blog? Digest it so you can show that you care and reference it in your meeting.
Come prepared with questions. Ask about them and their journey. People love talking about themselves even if they say they don’t.
Manage all of your networking systematically (hellow Google Sheets) so that you can follow up with people when interesting jobs or opportunities come about. Trust me, you’ll be so happy that you did this.
Build a list of interesting companies.
I see so many people start applying for jobs on a whim.
Take some time to reflect on what that next company looks like.
Consider what’s important to you and create some criteria to help you. Think outside of title and comp - about what you like or don’t like. Consider your motivations and what’s most important to you at this moment in your career and in your life. It may have changed since the last time you were applying for jobs.
Explore warm connections.
Not to brag, but I was triangulating college alumni connections before LinkedIn thought to make this a feature. Use this feature!
But also go beyond the feature. I used to get super niche looking up fellow Wisconsin Badgers with Journalism degrees. Most responded to me on cold outreach because we had this in common!
Practice Self Care 💆♀️
Find an accountability partner.
Job searching is lonely and full time work. Consider finding peers, a coaching circle, friends or a coach to help hold all the emotions that come with job searching. It’s a lot for you and your family to manage.
Own the fact that you’re job searching when you’re out socializing. Even if you’re going through a layoff, take solace in the face that layoffs are commonplace right now and people are eager to help. You really never know who you’re going to meet at that park picnic.
Take meaningful breaks.
It’s a marathon not a sprint. Whether you’re actively interviewing or just actively applying for roles remember to take a beat.
This is extra important after going through final rounds with a company and not getting the role. Give yourself some recuperation time if possible.
And by take breaks, really find something outside of work.
You need creative juices and inspiration flowing to get you through this time, so make space for the other pieces of you. Seek balance.
This is your sign to do that thing you said you were going to do all summer but you still haven’t done it. You know what that thing is.
Ready, set, go.
Networking connecting is fun if you let it be. If you’re feeling anxious about getting started, know that people love chatting about themselves and your flattering note to hear about how they’re doing and/or their career journey is going to land pretty well. I bet my bottom dollar.
Find more about networking from me here» I spoke about networking ahead of the Women in Product conference on their podcast this spring.
Happy networking connecting! ❤️