The importance of networking: How to grow your career through connection 

Networking can be daunting and knowing where to start can sometimes be the biggest challenge. Here are 5 of our top tips for breaking the ice and maximizing every career conversation. 

It’s impossible to overstate the importance of networking in moving your career forward. But knowing where to start—and how to get the most out of every interaction—isn’t easy. It might even be uncomfortable for some. 

However, you might be surprised by what comes from getting out of your comfort zone and connecting with like-minded people. You may forge a strategic partnership, gain a mentor, or find someone facing the same challenges as you. 

Ready to unlock new opportunities, build stronger relationships, and accelerate your career? Explore the benefits of networking and use the 5 tips below to get out there and make some connections.   

Why networking is important 

At its core, networking is the act of meeting and connecting with people. It usually involves some sort of common interest—be it a club, sports team, career path, or desire to be an entrepreneur.  

Networking’s importance in business is, first and foremost, that it can help you build relationships with colleagues, mentors, and industry leaders. And that can provide invaluable insights, open doors to new opportunities, and generally position you for success. 

Remember that networking runs both ways. It’s also an opportunity to share your skills and knowledge with others. A network of mutually supportive relationships creates a sense of community and belonging where everyone can thrive and achieve their goals together. 

Benefits of networking 

Some of the most tangible benefits of networking are: 

• New ideas: Networking opens you up to other people’s perspectives. Their thoughts and experiences might inspire you or spark new ideas that help you grow. You may discover new ways to overcome challenges or meet goals. And if you contribute your own ideas and share your expertise, people will begin to see you as a helpful innovator in your industry. 
• Stronger connections: Consistently networking within the same groups, seeing the same faces, and routinely reaching out to others deepens your connections with industry peers. You should also be coming from a position of service. In every interaction, consider how you can help the other person. Doing this will only deepen bonds, creating more meaningful and authentic connections. 
• A boost for your brand and reputation: Getting your name out there is great. But once it’s out there, it’s on you to maintain the quality of your name—that means your reputation and your brand. So, follow up on meetings and conversations, remember names, and be a supportive and knowledgeable member of your business or career community. 
• Career opportunities: Putting yourself out there and maintaining a positive brand or reputation keeps you top of mind when people in your network have openings. In the age of LinkedIn and other job boards, you might assume every job is posted online. But, in reality, many are not. This is especially true as you seek more senior roles, so taking time to build your network now may pay off in the future.  
• Mentorship opportunities: Your network will connect you with peers in your industry or niche. The resulting relationships will expose you to perspectives and experiences different from yours. Learn what you can from other points of view and apply those insights to your own professional and personal growth. 
• Increased confidence: Repeatedly stepping outside your comfort zone to meet new people builds self-confidence over time. You’ll also develop your social skills with every handshake, conversation, or online interaction, helping you grow.  
• An expanded circle: As you network more and more, you may encounter people with similar interests—people you vibe with. These connections can become more than work relationships and develop into genuine, long-lasting friendships.  
• Access to answers: As your network grows, it’s a fairly safe bet that someone within your circle knows a thing or two about the questions or challenges you might be facing. Your network might also provide a sounding board for new ideas or even help you create a step-by-step plan to overcome challenges.  

5 networking tips 

Humera Shahid, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (CDEIO) at Intuit, recently sat down with Toronto Intuit employees to chat about all things networking and how to use it to grow your career. Humera has more than 20 years of experience in the talent field, with a background in a broad range of talent‐focused disciplines.  

Here are Humera’s top 5 networking tips for building a strong network to grow your career:  

1. Just say yes—you never know where it may lead you  

If someone reaches out to you for a coffee chat or a mutual friend wants to connect you with a colleague, just say yes. You have nothing to lose. 

Exploring different connection opportunities opens the possibility of developing new professional relationships and maybe even lifelong friendships. You never know where a quick 30-minute conversation can lead you.  

2. Remember your day ones  

It’s great to branch out and establish new connections, but don’t forget to leverage the relationships you’ve already created. It’s not always about attending events and meeting new people but reaching out to your existing network—such as people you may have met through a parent group or family event. 

Connections you make early in your career can come in handy later in your career, so it’s important to nurture those relationships beyond the first meeting. Developing a system to follow up routinely with people you meet, remember birthdays and personal details, and deepen relationships can make you look like a superstar—maximizing your networking efforts.  

3. Make time for it  

To be good at anything, you need to actively set aside time to practice. Networking is no different. Perhaps you make a personal goal of having one chat a month with somebody internally or externally or look into attending one conference a year if that is within your budget. Networking is a trainable muscle if you invest time into developing it.  

4. Don’t underestimate the power of internal networking 

Internal networking is a great place to start and a lower barrier to entry. If there’s someone you want to learn from within your organization, just reach out. Again, you have nothing to lose. 

Hesitant to make a cold call? Get someone to introduce you. People rarely say no to a career conversation. Remember, we all came from another company at some point, so reaching out to internal connections may open other doors for you. 

5. Go in with a learning mindset  

Breaking the ice is often the hardest part of networking. How do you start a conversation confidently without it feeling forced? Going in with a learning mindset helps. 

Ask yourself: What do I want to learn from this experience today? Then, open the same question up to those around you to kickstart the conversation. Focusing on what you want to learn will push you to talk to people.  

H2: Things to consider while networking 

Keep these points in mind to get the most out of networking: 

• Be authentic: Throw your own agenda out the window. Approach each interaction with a desire to learn and be your authentic self. People can tell when you’re inauthentic, so keep it real and focus on what you can contribute, and you’ll do just fine.  
• Emphasize quality over quantity: Don’t just bounce around the room (physical or digital) collecting business cards or LinkedIn connections. When you meet someone, stay awhile. Invest time in the relationship to ensure quality and depth. Such connections are more likely to lead to long-term opportunities.  
• Stay professional: Whether you’re networking online or in person, present yourself professionally. If you’re attending a local event, this may mean dressing appropriately. But professionalism goes further than that. Respect people’s time and expertise, follow up promptly, and communicate courteously to leave a lasting impression. 
• Diversify: Venture beyond your immediate circle to broaden your perspective. Seek peers from different industries and backgrounds to offer different perspectives and information. 
• Think value first: This is what we mean when we say to come from a place of service. Your first thought should be how you can assist or add value to the relationship. Maybe you have a resource or contact they need? Leading with generosity builds goodwill and strengthens relationships, making it more likely that others will reciprocate and support you in return. 

H2: Networking examples 

No matter where you’re at in your career, don’t overlook the importance of networking. Invest in your networking skills today, and they’ll pay dividends throughout your career. Here are some places you can go to get started: 

• Job fairs 
• Professional events (e.g., entrepreneur mixers, chamber of commerce meetings) 
• Clubs around shared hobbies or interests 
• Alumni events 
• Professional development classes 
• Online sites like LinkedIn or Meetup.com 
• Volunteer events (e.g., beach cleanups, 5K races, donation drives) 

Remember, networking may feel intimidating at times. But as humans, we naturally crave connection. It’s a part of who we are. Embrace the discomfort, make the first move, and with time, you’ll become a networking pro.