Rethinking Professional Networking
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What is Professional Networking?
You can easily find the answer for this question by either ‘googling’, or perhaps even simpler, asking ChatGPT.
You will discover that professional networking encompasses:
- Building meaningful connections and relationships;
- Exchanging information, ideas, or advice;
- A mutually beneficial relationship where gives and takes happen;
- Sharing and discussing common (or even conflicting) interests either in career, industry, or other topics;
And it takes place in many forms.
During the thinking we have been doing on professional networking, HRNZ has discovered that people seem to forget the more important question – “What is professional networking to You?”
Networking can have a negative connotation.
If professional networking sounds daunting, boring, or exhausting to you, you are not alone.
- “I have never thought that standing around having drinks and making small talk is effective networking.”
- “Awkwardly trying to talk to new people in a random setting.”
- “Not for me, I am an introvert.”
- “Annoying events and small talk.”
- “Standing around.”
- “Fear”, “Sigh”, “Scary”, “Shallow”, “Cringe”, “Hard”, and even “Yuck”.
These are some of the negative responses to “What word comes to mind when you think of networking?" in HRNZ’s recent survey on Professional Networking.
We are here to say that it doesn’t have to be this way. We can still see key positive themes around networking:
It’s time to redefine networking.
The survey results got us thinking. Is it because we haven’t talked about networking enough? Is the perception of networking limited in some ways? Since when does networking ‘only’ happen at networking events?
So, let us initiate this conversation…
Change the language to change your mindset towards networking.
Instead of saying: I need to be networking more, say: I’d love to make more meaningful connections. Why is that? Positive affirmation and a change in language helps you challenge the negative connotation. |
When you change the language, from ‘networking’ to ‘making meaningful connections’, it may take away any daunting emotions, the pressure of having to network, and the limits on how you network.
Ask yourself: Where do people usually network? What pops in your mind? Networking events, alumni events, professional associations, professional development courses, job fairs, LinkedIn, etc. Does this sound right?
Now, ask yourself: Where do you make meaningful connections?
- “At the University, when the person and I worked together on a project.”
- “At work, my colleagues and I shared the work and also the life stories.”
- “I met my current mentor on LinkedIn. Took all the courage I had to connect with them back then and our mentoring relationship is still going well.”
- “At a Café. I offered to help with some questions when sharing a table with a university student. We stay connected until now.”
Rethink your “why”
Instead of: networking because you feel you need to. Do this: reflect on your intent, goals or objectives before connecting with others. Why is that? Having a clear “why” reminds you of the purpose and the motivation behind connecting with others, and enables you to intentionally select the networking options that serve your purpose. |
For example, if you are looking for a prospective mentor, connecting with a person directly through LinkedIn or email may work better than trying to catch them at a 100-attendee event. Of course, the latter method still works well, especially if you want to meet different people in-person before deciding to connect with a potential mentor.
There are more options on the ‘networking menu’.
Instead of: attending as many networking events as possible to meet new people. Do this: identify what form of networking works best for you to make meaningful connections. Why is that? Because there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and networking is not just about meeting new people at a crowded event. |
Networking is also a chance to connect with people you may have known for a while but haven’t had the chance to interact with yet. Meaningful connections can still be established through your current network.
Identify what works for you. Decide:
- In what setting [atmosphere, space, number of people, types of events] do you feel comfortable and safe to connect with people?
- How often are you likely to connect with the people in your network?
- Who would you want to connect with?
- What could potentially prevent you from connecting with others?
Through understanding that networking may look different for each of us, HRNZ is committed to designing a ‘networking menu’ – where you can find what type of connecting best suits you. We are on the journey of making networking options more accessible and meaningful, and creating safe spaces for our members to connect with each other.
Networking is for everyone.
Instead of thinking: Networking is not for me, think: Anyone can make meaningful connections, including myself. Why is that? Perhaps specific ways of networking don’t work for you, and you just need to find a networking avenue that does! Everyone establishes relationships in different ways. |
This links back to what we have discussed so far:
- Change your perception of networking.
- Be clear on your intent when connecting with others.
- Recognise that there are many different ways to build meaningful connections.
- Identify what is meaningful to you, and what works for you.
Let's give it a new name.
So it seems that the word ‘networking’ itself sometimes has a negative connotation, despite the fact that it can be productive and beneficial.
Perhaps we need a more positive spin:
- Connecting with a purpose
- Making meaningful connections
- Building strong relationships
- Ako
- Give-and-take
- Professional relationship building
- Career connections
- Fostering community
- Building relationships
- Collaboration
- Growing together