Why You Need to Expand Your Professional Network

When you were a child, making friends at the playground, in school or during community activities was an important skill to learn and develop. By finding common ground and sharing your interests with others, you were also learning to network and invest in your personal—and eventually, professional—development.

From opportunities to collaborate, to knowledge and information sharing, to gaining access to resources, these same benefits of networking will help you as an adult professional.

How so?

Networking with potential clients, employers and colleagues can present opportunities for academic and career growth, advancement and fulfillment. Honing this skill is not as hard as it might initially seem, and there are several reasons why you should continue to expand and maintain your network.

Reasons to Network

“Networking is at the heart of many human activities: We are social animals and love to meet new, interesting people,” says Julia Schaletzky, Ph.D., executive director of UC Berkeley’s Henry Wheeler Center for Emerging and Neglected Diseases and a UC Berkeley Haas School of Business lecturer. “If you have a project you’re passionate about, make sure people know about it. If you have a problem that you’re trying to solve, make sure people know about it. Few things get accomplished in isolation, and you might be surprised how good things can come out of talking to others about what you do.”

Networking opens the door to new collaborations—from working on various projects, to starting a business with someone who has similar interests and goals, and more. When you build relationships with other professionals in your field, it can lead to new work opportunities; promotions; or career enhancements through referrals, recommendations and first-to-know job-related information.

When you are a part of a network, you gain knowledge that you can pass along to others. Through this exchange of ideas, insights and information, you help yourself stay updated on industry trends, best practices and emerging technologies. This could help when it comes to informational interviewing, too.

You also gain access to resources such as mentors, training programs, funding and job leads that may not be readily available otherwise.

“I had close connections who worked at Zoom, and I was familiar with how well Zoom treats their employees and customers. When I saw an opportunity to apply for a senior financial analyst position at Zoom, I jumped on it.”
     —Certificate Program in Financial Planning and Analysis graduate Cole Leksan on how his network aided a career move

Schaletzky also suggests looking at networking in a different way. “A big part of networking is helping others; it lays the foundation for a reciprocal, mutually beneficial relationship,” she says. “And it is ideal to develop a strong network in times when you can give to others, so people are ready to help when you need it—for example, in case of a sudden layoff or life change.”

When there is an unexpected life change, we could all use some extra help, too. Did you know that approximately 70–80 percent of all open positions are never publicly listed, but instead are filled via networking and internal references? That’s a lot of potential “next career moves” in a hidden job market.

Depending on the company and field you are interested in, job boards are impersonal, and when used alone they can be a less-effective method of getting a new job. Part of the reason is that human resources departments tend to post a “one size fits all” description. According to a job statistic in Elma Mrkonjic’s blog on goremotely.net, you have “a 40% better chance of getting hired” over other applicants if you have a referral. Also, without a personal contact within some companies, your unique skills might not be recognized on paper.

Instead, Schaletzky suggests, “Use online tools such as LinkedIn, Meetup or online forums to get in touch with people in certain areas in a more deliberate way.”

Being in a network, you also bring increased visibility and credibility to your personal brand and within your industry. By connecting with influential individuals and actively participating in relevant discussions and events, you can enhance your visibility and reputation. And just like any relationship, you need to put in the effort to maintain your connections.

A strong network can provide support and encouragement during professional setbacks. Like-minded individuals who understand the challenges of your profession can offer advice, encouragement and moral support. Having a diverse group of people in your network provides new perspectives, challenges your assumptions, and fosters continuous learning and growth. Meaningful, long-lasting relationships can benefit you throughout your career.

It’s not just individuals seeking work or information about an industry who benefit from networking. Companies do, too.

According to an article by McKinsey, “Social capital—or the presence of networks, relationships, shared norms and trust among individuals, teams and business leaders—is the glue that holds organizations together. When teams feel connected, they tend to get more work done and do it faster.”

According to that same report, of the approximately 5,500 U.S. workers surveyed on the state of their internal and external networks and connections, “More than three-quarters of the respondents working in ‘traditional’ roles—especially women and frontline workers—report that they are connecting with others less frequently, have smaller networks and spend less time and effort on relationship building since the start of the pandemic.”

So how do you prevent yourself from falling into that 75 percent of surveyed professionals?

Related: The Humanizing of Flexible Work

Networking 101

1. Network with contacts you already have.

Remember, your network doesn’t need to be just newly made connections. Your friends and family make a great network.

Schaletzky points out, “Even if you haven’t consciously networked outside of your workplace, you still have a large network of people to contact outside of work. Invite contacts who work in an area you’re interested in for coffee; talk about their work and what they like and dislike about it.”

Networking is a two-way street. Look for ways to offer help, support or insights to your connections without expecting anything in return. This builds goodwill and can strengthen your relationships.

“Turns out that the hiring manager knows my former boss—the stars aligned and here I am!”
     —Professional Sequence in Digital Marketing graduate Sandra Titre, on getting her current role at Workday, a former client of hers

2. Find common ground.

Reach out and initiate conversations with professionals in your industry through networking events, by joining professional groups or organizations, or by using online platforms like LinkedIn to make connections.

“Colin Sidberry was the first CFP^® I met, and although he had completed a different program, he knew about Extension’s personal financial planning program because his colleague was a graduate.”
     —Certificate Program in Personal Financial Planning graduate Ariana Alisjahbana recalls from a financial-planning customer happy hour

Volunteering with an organization or for a cause close to your heart is also an excellent way to gain experience in speaking with people with whom you have something in common. Bonus: Volunteering in your intended field may also lead to eventual employment.

You’ll need to define what you want to achieve through networking. Whether it's finding a job, building industry connections or seeking advice, understanding your end-goals will guide your networking efforts and make them more productive.

3. Work on your introduction.

Practice your small talk well in advance by following Dr. Carol Fleming’s three-step ARE Method (PDF, Slide 10):

Anchor: Say something about your shared reality.
Reveal: Share something about yourself in relation to the shared reality.
Engage: Ask a question related to what you revealed.

Focus on introducing yourself to 3–5 people. This will help you avoid being overwhelmed or seemingly flitting from person to person without really getting to know anyone.

4. Set goals.

Networking might be like helping, but it is also a whole lot like dating. Be sure to get their email or their digits. (You can even hand them your cell phone so you know the information entered is correct.)

Sound too forward? If your contact has a business card, take it and make notes of your meeting on the back soon after you part ways.

In the days after an activity or event, deepen that new relationship with follow-up conversations related to topics already discussed. In the first call or email, it’s fine to recap, but in the next contact learn more about them and what they do. As with any relationship, you need to stay in touch to maintain it and build trust.

If you haven’t gone out to events to meet new people, you can still build your network with “cold calls”—or an informational interview.

“During an informational interview with an MD Anderson scientific editor, I mentioned off-hand that I loved editing, and she replied, ‘The world has too few good editors.’ Bingo. Her words carved out a new passage for me: editing—an evidence-based skill.”
     —Professional Sequence in Editing graduate Stephanie Martch on how networking aided in her achieving a career goal

5. Maintain your network.

Many students continue the relationships they formed in our classes. And like any relationship, a networked one needs to be nurtured. You can stay in touch with your program connections through the sharing of relevant articles, updates or opportunities, and check in with them periodically to see how they're doing—virtually, in person or via social media. 

“I found a set of colleagues that I could count on and reach out to at a moment’s notice. Many of my colleagues also turned out to have niche specialties that I can refer to.”
     —Certificate Program in College Admissions and Career Planning graduate Sheila Hallsted-Baumert on how her former classmates continue to benefit her in her career

It All Works Together

You researched your future career. You reached out to those who know you and to strangers. You’ve established a common ground, and you put yourself out there—just like when you met kids at school or on a playground. Your network helps you tell the story of your strengths as you plan out your next career move. Use it. Your next job may likely be the result of a simple conversation you never thought you could have.