Guide to Networking

Networking means cultivating relationships with people who can potentially support your professional success. These connections can help you access information and discover new opportunities. An expanded network presents more opportunities to explore job and promotion options, making networking one of the most effective strategies for achieving your career goals. Beyond career development, your network can also provide important social and emotional support along the way.

Your Network

Your need for support may be intensified while you’re searching for work or considering a career transition, but your network can be instrumental to your success at all stages of your career. You can think about your network as a useful inventory of relationships you can reach out to when you need:

  • Advice: Professionals who have successfully done what you are working towards and can offer guidance
  • Support: Good listeners who care about you and can provide moral or emotional support
  • Information: People who have current information about what is happening in a field, sector, organization or community
  • Connections: People who can introduce you to others or provide a reference
  • Instruction: Experts willing to help you gain additional knowledge or who can tutor you on skills you require
  • Sponsorship: Advocates who are willing to champion your ideas, fund your goals or vouch for you

Remember you are part of others’ networks too. You can add value by sharing your knowledge, offering support and making introductions. Be sure to thank your contacts when they help you and keep them informed about the developments in your career. Networking relationships are reciprocal, which means you should act with respect, intention and attentiveness.

Networking work search strategy

Networking is a highly effective work search strategy. In our Employment Survey of 2010 Â鶹ÊÓƵ Graduates, three of the top five job search strategies that led to an interview or offer of employment directly involved networking.

The other top methods — applying to job postings found on employers' websites and other websites — can also be strengthened by incorporating networking. Whether employers promote their hiring opportunities online or with the help of a formal recruitment process, the real question remains: how do you stand out?

  • If you make positive impressions on people who make or influence hiring decisions, your name may stand out when your application comes through formal channels.
  • Employers often appreciate prior knowledge of applicants as it can reduce the workload of shortlisting applicants.
  • Networking can provide you insight into an organization’s culture, challenges and initiatives so you can target your application.
  • Networking can also give you tips about upcoming opportunities to increase your competitive edge.
  • Some employers may choose not to post available jobs, preferring instead to interview people who are recommended by current employees or other professional contacts.

Identify Current Contacts

Your network includes all the people you interact with, no matter how frequently, and they do not need to be working in the fields you are interested in. Each of your contacts has their own network which may include connections relevant to your career goals. Start making a list of:

  • Immediate and extended family
  • Friends and acquaintances
  • Previous employers and colleagues (from paid and unpaid work)
  • Teachers, instructors and advisors from your educational institution(s)
  • Past customers or clients
  • Community contacts
  • Association/committee contacts
  • Social club/church/athletic team/support group contacts
  • Previous and current mentors

Build Your Network

It is useful to expand your network. If an immediate contact can’t help you, a contact of theirs might. Consider the following strategies:

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