The 7 Networking Tips You Need to Know

Networking makes many job hunters want to run and hide (even the extroverts). Since 80% of the job market is hidden, networking is an essential part of finding a job you really love. These networking tips will help you start and grow your professional network.  

These networking tips will teach you how to gather the courage and material you need to walk in any professional event with confidence and clarity.

Networking defined

The answer to, “What is networking?” is simpler than you might think. The technical definition of networking has 2 main components:

1. It’s a series of successful, mutually beneficial transactions
2. It’s making connections with and for other people using purposeful, effective communication

The easiest way to view networking is as professional relationship building with a purpose. You’re reaching out to people you know- friends, family, and coworkers- to gain new connections and insights. 

It doesn’t have to be the big, scary thing it seems like- it’s not just men in suit in big conference rooms. Networking, at its core, is about connection growth.

Let’s get deeper into why networking is important and 7 networking tips, so you can start networking asap!

Understanding the hidden market

You might be wondering if you should even bother with networking. Well, studies have found men network more than women, which helps perpetuate the “boys club” feel of many businesses.

Besides smashing the patriarchy, networking is important because of the hidden market.

Up to 85% of jobs are on the hidden job market, which means they’re only found through networking.

By using these networking tips and tricks to start and grow your professional network, you’ll have plenty of resources to use the next time you’re job hunting.

The best way to find a high quality job aligned with your purpose and passions is by networking. Let’s dive into 7 of the best networking tips for professionals!

7 Networking Tips for Professionals

1. Know who YOU are 

The first step to networking like a pro might surprise you. 

Why? 

Because it involves sitting alone, at your computer, and working silently on yourself.

That’s right, before you can get out there and network with other people, you have to know who you are and why you’re doing this.

Start by getting clear on your networking goals and how they relate to your longer term career goals.

Are you networking to…

• Find a job?
• Meet people in your field?
• Explore other industries?
• Find connections in a new city?
• Land work opportunities?

After clarifying your networking goals, think through how they’ll further your career goals. If you can’t draw a line from your networking goal to your long-term goals, then rethink it until you can!

Once you’ve figured out your goals, it’s time to make your elevator pitch.

I know, this might sound like an annoying college assignment, but it’s the key to avoiding those frozen in the headlights moments. 

While you’re networking, someone will eventually say, “Tell me about yourself!” or “What do you do?” and you don’t want to freeze or stumble through a response.

Instead, writing yourself a quick (4-5 sentences) elevator pitch before you start networking will prepare you to take on this question with confidence.

Psst, if you sign up for my killer free networking guide asap, you’ll get a super secret discount on my elevator pitch worksheet!

This doesn’t mean write it on the back of your hand or recite it word for word like a robot. Your elevator pitch gives you a general jumping off point into who you are and what you’re passionate about.

I recommend practicing in the mirror a couple times to get a feel for it, then delivering it organically to a few friends to get comfortable mixing up your delivery.

After you’ve clarified your networking goals and developed your elevator pitch, you can move on to the next business networking tip!

2. Start early

This one goes well with the last one. If you know you’re going to be networking, like at a virtual event or a career fair, then you want to start preparing early.

Give yourself a few weeks to update your resume, write your elevator pitch, and work on the next few networking tips. Starting early also gives you time to build your confidence and practice networking scenarios, so you look and feel comfortable in the moment.

It’s easy to underestimate how much time it takes to prepare for professional networking, which is why you should try to give yourself a few weeks to get ready.

If you know you’ll want to use your network during your next job search, you should also start making connections before you need to use them. 

Starting conversations by asking for favors isn’t a good look: it takes time to build professional relationships. Your first few conversations should be informational interviews where you ask them questions about their career. 

The next few networking tips will help you find connections and build relationships, so you have a network ready to help when you need it!

3. Make a list

It’s hard to start networking without a clear idea of what you want to gain. 

Besides defining your overall goal- like getting a referral for a job or connecting with professionals in your new city- you should make a list of people you’d like to know.

I like to call it a “networking wishlist.” You should fill it with specific people or positions you’d like to connect with, and use to guide your networking strategy.

For example, if your goal is to work in an entry-level position at a research lab, then you might start by making a list of research hospitals in your area. Then, go to their websites and read their staff pages. Find people in positions you’d like to learn more about and add them to your wishlist.

Now, make it a goal to schedule an informational interview with at least 3 of them. 

Use LinkedIn, your college’s alumni directory, and other networking resources to find a connection with them. 

Once you have a connection- you were part of the same sorority, you both graduated from the same college, you both worked at the same company at different times- email them, introduce yourself, and ask if they’d be willing to have an informational interview with you. 

Or, if you can find a mutual connection between you two, reach out to that person and ask if they’d introduce you.

You can also use a different starting point, depending on your goals. So, if your college has a well run alumni directory, you can start by looking up alumni in your area and seeing if any of them work in a field you’re interested in. 

For now, use whatever information you have to make a list- whether it’s specific people, companies, or job titles- to narrow your path from them to an informational interview.

Still confused by reaching out to connections? Grab my free guide on the 10 best strategies to network with confidence!

4. Keep records

This is HUGE. And, as a v scatterbrained person, you know I mean it when I say you need to have an organized networking strategy.

There’s more behind the scenes work that goes into business networking than you might expect, but it’s totally worth it. 

Start by making a simple spreadsheet in Excel or Google Drive. Create columns for names, contact information, companies, and important dates. This’ll help you keep track of who you talked to and when. 

Also add a column to track whether you’ve sent a thank you note (more information about that coming up!)

Then, make it a habit to fill it in for every email, informational interview, and conversation you have. This way, you’ll take the pressure off of yourself to keep track of all your connections and conversations.

5. Always send a thank you

This is the MOST important networking tip: always send a thank you email!  

Especially if your goal is to land a job or build lasting connections, then you need to send a thank you.

In a perfect world, you’d send an email and a handwritten thank you note, but that can be a pain. So, if you want to go lazy and skip the handwritten note, I totally get it and I’ve def been there. 

However, if you’re connecting with a person you really want to impress or stay connected with, then you should take the time to also send a handwritten thank you note. It will, seriously, take you like 10 minutes!

Sending a thank you email shows your gratitude and professionalism, and helps you stand out to new, important connections. But, it’s not the last step of networking for professionals… 

6. Always follow up

Whether you reach out and they don’t respond or you have an amazing 30 minute interview, you always want to follow up.

For example, if you don’t hear back, your outreach email might’ve accidentally gone to their spam folder or gotten lost. It’s always good to send a follow up if you don’t hear back (I usually say 2 weeks after your first email), just in case. If they don’t answer after that, you can cross them off your list (or spreadsheet!) and move on. 

If you do have a stellar informational interview, it’s even more important you follow up with them. 

And, by the way, this is after your thank you email. 

Once a couple of weeks pass, you send a friendly email expanding on a point from your conversation, talking about how you’re settling into your new city, or wishing them a happy holiday (birthday, Mother’s Day, the winter holidays, Thanksgiving, etc…). 

Then, ask a question like “Can you recommend other people in this field to talk to me about X,” “Are there local companies you suggest I look into?” or any other question that (professionally) asks them to connect part of their network with you.

Be persistent, ask questions, and keep an open mind to the process. You’ll get the hang of it with practice, I promise!

7. Maintain relationships

Finally, and this is really the point of these networking tips: you want to continue your relationships. 

Don’t let your 30 minute phone call be your only contact with this person. Instead, use your informational interview as the start of a professional relationship.

To keep things going, you can pass along relevant articles you find, send email updates as your career progresses, or continue to ask them questions about your field. 

Of course, make sure it’s natural, safe, and positive. But, don’t be afraid of putting yourself out there when you continue your relationships- you never know where it’ll lead!

Networking is terrifying at times. I totally get it. However, in the modern workforce, it’s an essential skill that you’ll build with courage and practice. So, give yourself a pep talk and get to work building your network. Start early by defining who YOU are and making a list, then be sure to follow up, keep records, and maintain your relationships. 

I promise, you’ll get used to it- you might even start to enjoy it!

Still nervous about networking? Grab my free guide to the 10 best strategies to network with confidence!