Building a strong professional network: Strategies for success

Building professional networks takes time and effort, and like friendships, nurturing the connections is a must. Professional networks are a great way to hear about future job opportunities, keep up with new trends and identify potential mentors.

It’s rarely easy to start chatting to someone you’ve never met before, even when you’re at a party, or sitting on a train. So how do you build a network of useful contacts? Connecting online might feel like an easier option to many people, but is it enough to use social media to build your network?

Friends, family members with common interests, old classmates, college lecturers and previous work colleagues, are all a part of your network and are definitely a good place to start.

It’s never too soon, or too late, to start building on the contacts you already have. Taking a strategic approach to professional networking will help you achieve your career goals more quickly.

Why should I build a professional network?

Networks, by definition, connect things or people together. Some connections may be stronger than others and the signals between them vary and change over time. You never know when a contact may be useful, so nurture them all.

They can help you:

• Make valuable connections with like-minded individuals who can offer support and advice
• Access new opportunities. Your network could open doors to opportunities you may not hear about otherwise
• Interact with other professionals who can help you learn and grow in your role
• Stay in touch with industry trends which could be useful in your current role and if you’re thinking about changing jobs
• Raise your profile or ‘personal brand’ to help you build your professional reputation
• Expand your support system. If you have a question, you might find the answer by browsing your network’s online posts, or asking them for advice.

Strategies for building a professional network

Exchanging business cards was once the mainstay of ‘networking’ to connect after meeting a new contact face-to-face. In today’s digital age, business cards have been superseded by LinkedIn profiles and other online networking tools, but the strategies to build strong professional networks remain the same, and you can be sure they involve more than exchanging contact details.

Set goals

The first step to effective networking is to define your goals. Are you seeking new job opportunities, mentorship, or industry insights? Setting goals will help you focus your efforts in the right places and connect with the people who can support you to achieve your career goals.

Identify target contacts

Deciding who to connect with will help you develop a strategy to find them. Potential connections include:

• Industry peers – building relationships with people who work in similar roles in different organisations is invaluable when it comes to progressing along your career path. Social media platforms are a great way to find those people and connect, although clicking ‘connect’ doesn’t guarantee success.
• Influencers – thought leaders and policy shapers working in a similar field can have valuable insights to share. Engage with their content, and use what you learn for your own professional growth.
• Alumni – you already have something in common with the people who graduated from the same course as you or from your school, college or university. Stay connected because you never know when you might be able to support each other’s career development.
• Friends and ex-colleagues – while you’re in a job, or when you leave, connect with colleagues on LinkedIn or exchange personal details. You’ve already built meaningful relationships with them. People move on, and you never know when a referral might  be useful.

Set up an online profile on LinkedIn or other industry-specific networking forum

Building an online presence is a must in today’s digital world. LinkedIn is the go-to for many professionals, but in some industries, like scientific research & development, other social media platforms like ResearchGate may be the best place to connect with your peers.

• Optimise your profile  – highlight your skills, experience, and goals. Keep your profile picture professional and include a catchy headline if you can.
• Include your location: This will help you connect with people locally.
• Connect strategically  – Sending personalised connection requests are more likely to be well received
• Engage  – Comment on posts, share insights, and participate in groups
• Add industry-relevant skills  –  List skills that are most relevant, first
• Keep your contact details up-to-date: What more needs to be said

Attend events

In person and online networking events and conferences are great ways to meet people working in similar fields and are invaluable for building connections.

Events include industry events, trade shows, seminars, networking events, virtual conferences, webinars and meetups. Most will build networking opportunities into the programme.

Ahead of the event, prepare an ‘elevator pitch’ so you’re ready to introduce yourself succinctly. It may sound cheesy, but it can help you overcome any nerves when meeting people for the first time and it’s guaranteed to help you give a good first impression.

Join professional bodies and associations

• Become a member of professional associations related to your field. Attend their events and engage with fellow members. Everyone there will be looking to build their networking skills, not just you.
• Volunteer to help with organising events or voluntary projects. It’s a sure-fire way to make genuine connections.
• Consider joining a committee relevant to your profession via an industry association. Working on a shared project is a great way to build meaningful connections.

Follow up

After meeting someone at an event, follow up a couple of days later by sending a personalised message expressing gratitude,  and perhaps mention a highlight of your interaction or the conference to make it memorable. Ask them if you could have a follow-up call or suggest a meetup. You never know when those conversations may turn into business opportunities.

Take an interest in other people’s careers

• Show genuine interest in what your contacts are doing. This could mean commenting on their posts online, or dropping them a line to congratulate them on a particular career success.
• Offer help and support to others. Don’t feel like every contact is a competitor. Most people will have different career goals to your own, so helping them out with introductions or answering their queries can help you build meaningful relationships.

Expanding your professional network

Building a robust professional network doesn’t happen overnight. It’s an ongoing effort that probably won’t stop until you retire. However, thinking about how you can expand your network to support your career advancement and professional development, is time well spent.

And it’s never too early to start. Even while you’re at college or university you can start to build a professional network that will expand naturally as you meet more people and graduate into the workplace.

Whatever career path you choose, staying connected online and in-person with your peers will support your professional development.