Making Networking Work
Some things in life, no matter how important, may feel all too difficult to get behind. Call it a necessary evil or any form of bureaucracy, it’s a certainty that you’ve had to do something you wouldn’t do at all if you didn’t need to. Many people harbor this mentality when it comes to networking, a process that people often see as the “necessary evil” of anyone’s career journey. At first glance, it’s easy to understand why most people prefer not to network — the act is associated with lip service, brown-nosing, overt socialization, and exploitation, among other undesirable things.
Though, when one looks more closely, they will likely feel confused with how networking has grown to become synonymous with these things. At its very core, networking refers to the development of social and professional connections, often to share information and resources. When explained like this, networking feels much closer to the process of making friends. So, why does it rarely ever feel that way?
Networking is clouded with a lot of misconceptions, ranging from the more severe ones, like those previous stated, to calmer but equally notable ones that magnify the supposed selfishness and neediness that inherently come along with networking. One highlighted misconception surrounding networking would be the belief that it is the epitome of pretentiousness. To the general public, networking feels very centered on performance. You have to put your best foot forward and seemingly assume new identities to secure certain connections. In the age of seeking authenticity, this may not sit well with others. However, when done right, networking can and will be authentic.
To get started, perhaps you’d benefit from reframing the idea of networking. Above everything else, think of networking as an act of building connections and friendships. When you hope to spark a good relationship with someone outside of work, you likely have a reason for wanting to do so. Maybe you want someone who understands you or someone you can learn from, among other types of people you hope to encounter. With networking, find reasons to engage that transcend the immediate and often primary need to climb up the career ladder.
As with all worthwhile things, mindfulness must be present in the process of networking. Quality over quantity applies to this intrinsic skill because the size of your network is merely secondary to its actual use. That is to say, strive to make meaningful connections, and you can do so by finding common ground through shared interests, passions, and/or experiences. Kick off your networking journey the right way by starting small and close — talk to schoolmates you have mutual friends with, start a conversation with coworkers on the same hierarchical level as you are (like your co-interns, for example!), and simply dig deeper into what makes your dream connections human outside of their work. While it may seem unconventional at first glance, bringing up non-work similarities such as hopes, hobbies, or hometowns can and will make you come across as more approachable and authentic.
Once you’ve succeeded in making your first connections or even before doing so, think about what you want from networking. Career advice? Peer support? Potential collaborators? Whatever the case, be ready to both receive and give. Like friendship, networking is a two-way street. In a more Filipino sense, “utang na loob” is pretty intrinsic to networking — pay goodness forward and back to whoever has offered it to you. If you hear that a connection of yours is on the lookout for a new opportunity that you can either offer or bring them closer to, do not hesitate to help them out.
However, even if we keep these things in mind and execute them, there may still be difficulties in the process of networking. For example, as Filipinos, our internalized value of hiya may hinder us from taking the necessary steps to build the connections we want. Given the negative stereotypes associated with networking, we might be discouraged entirely because we may initially believe that the act of networking is shameless even when it truly isn’t. As students, we might also feel like we’re far too inexperienced to think about networking and building connections, especially if we’re looking for mentor figures.
Networking has to be a reciprocated act, so when we’re students, we’re bound to ask ourselves what exactly we can offer to far more experienced people. And personally, as a woman myself, I feel a little intimidated by the process of networking now and then, given the many glass ceilings we women have to surpass throughout our careers. As hard of a pill as it is to swallow, gender inequality is still prevalent in the career sphere, and women are more likely to feel scared of and discouraged from asking for what they want due to this. With these struggles in mind, there is a need to make networking more inclusive and welcoming, especially given its core purpose of fostering connections.
Networking is not going anywhere anytime soon, and that’s not a bad thing! Though, as previously expressed, there’s a lot to do to make networking truly work, whether we’re dealing with individual actions or societal changes. When we put the work into networking, we’re bound to have a more holistic and fulfilling career journey.
Human sciences professor Lena Ansmann testifies to the ability of networking to boost and develop those who are still in the early stages of their careers, stressing the need to involve young professionals in societies and organizations meant for building career-centric relationships. As the adage goes, no man’s an island, and this saying also applies to career-building.
Having the right people in your circles serves a crucial role in your career and personal development and enables you to make the most of your journey in the workplace. Once you learn how to make networking work, you’ll likely find yourself enjoying your career much more than before.
About the Author
Ally De Leon is a Growth and Marketing Mission Specialist at KadaKareer. She’s a freshman studying Communications Technology Management (which is just an SEO-unfriendly way to say marketing) at the Ateneo de Manila University. She’s at her happiest whenever she writes about any thought or feeling without getting mental blocks, reads a book she can highlight all over, eats anything with a borderline unhealthy amount of cheese, and hears Jeong Jaehyun’s voice in NCT songs.
About KadaKareer
KadaKareer is a career development platform for underserved students in the Philippines hoping to launch their digital careers. “Kada” comes from the word barkada, which means a group of friends. We are a Filipino student’s cheerleader, coach, and support group throughout their entire career journey!
