Why it's important to network

I know that most of us HATE networking. It feels sleazy, awkward, and self-serving to many people. I totally get that and I have often felt the same way about the process. However, it is more important to your career than a good resume and cover letter.

In the post, we’re going to examine how we can leverage networking in ways that feel positive and less intimidating. Before we get there, let’s spend some time unpacking how networking can benefit your career.

The biggest reason we need to network - it really is the best way to get in the door. Increasingly, it’s the only way to get in the door anywhere. People are always more inclined to work with and elevate those who they have had positive interactions with. It’s much harder to represent who you are as a person and employee through the resume and cover letter. In addition, there are many job listings that don’t make it to the major job boards. If this means that we can be missing out on great opportunities if we’re relying solely on web searches.

Another advantage of networking is that we often have the opportunity to interact with people who work at specific companies that we’re interested in working for. If you can ask them for an informational interview, you can get valuable insider knowledge of the company and industry, so that you can make a more informed decision regarding whether or not to apply. A successful informational interview can lead to contacts more relevant to the role you’re seeking or a solid referral if you do choose to apply. Overall, networking is extremely important for your career and it doesn’t have to be a terribly trying and awkward experience.