What is networking and what is it for? We explain!

The term networking is widely used in the job market. Regardless of the area of ​​activity, the expression in English is everywhere and is always mentioned when talking about tips for changing areas, gaining new job positions and even opening your own business. But do you know exactly what networking is and what it is for?

The expression in English combines the words “net”, which means network, and “work”, which means work. In short, it is the network of professional contacts that someone makes throughout their career. To be efficient, it needs to be something constantly worked on, and it can bring many benefits to career development.

What is networking and what is it for?

Networking means creating relevant connections in the market, whether in the same or similar areas. Through this contact network, it is easier to share ideas and projects, meet new professionals, learn about new topics and develop your knowledge.

This process goes far beyond introducing yourself and distributing business cards, and involves real involvement, creating solid relationships. This connection must be bilateral, that is, it works in such a way that everyone involved can benefit.

This process can begin at university, with professionalization alongside colleagues who can become work partners or partners, as well as professors who can offer professional recommendations.

But, throughout your career, there are many opportunities to strengthen ties with other people who have common professional interests and these relationships can impact both. Networking is a behavioral skill that can be started at any point in your career.

It is important, however, to be careful when dealing with this topic. Meeting other professionals with common goals and exchanging information is not the same as just showing up when you need something, and not responding or not contributing to the other person’s development.

3 levels of networking

The idea of ​​networking is just the opposite: creating a mutually beneficial support network that can generate opportunities and open new paths. In general, the networking process is divided into three levels:

Primary: the people closest to someone, with whom they have sentimental involvement, such as family and friends.

Secondary: they may not have the same intimacy as the primary, but they are people who work directly in your professional life. These are the people you work directly with, such as colleagues and managers. It can also include professionals you don’t see often but have good relationships with as colleagues who attend the same events.

Reference: professionals who have had or have an impact on your life. As the name suggests, they are professional references such as bosses, teachers or even a specialist that you do not know directly, but are inspired by.

What is the purpose of networking?

This process can serve as a career boost. But, as we said, he must go beyond seeking contact just because of a certain interest. Any profession can benefit from networking as contact with other specialists offers many benefits. Check out the main ones:

New job opportunities

One of the upsides of systems administration is “being recollected”. By keeping up with well disposed connections and having the option to pass on to partners the kind of expert you will be, you have a more prominent possibility being drawn closer whenever there is an open position that intrigues you. This additionally expands your possibilities fostering your profession.

It also speeds up professional relocation in the event of dismissal or when the professional is looking for new opportunities.

Professional development

Exchanging ideas with professionals from other companies, or those in higher positions, helps you understand the best path to career growth. Talking to these people and getting to know their work dynamics allows you to understand whether your current knowledge is sufficient to achieve a certain position or not.

This will provide insights into what you should do to develop yourself, such as starting a postgraduate course. There is no problem, within this network, asking the person what they believe to be a differentiator. And in many cases, the answer will be to develop a specialty after graduation.

Positive reputation

The “being remembered” mentioned above can be both positive and negative. In the same way that good contacts can help, having a bad reputation can get in the way. No one will want to recommend someone for a position in their company who is criticized, who doesn’t know how to work in a team, or who doesn’t seem interested.

Nurturing these relationships in an organic and sincere way is the best way to ensure a positive reputation.

New business

Those who work in sales have networking as one of their priorities. But making new contacts that can lead to business is something possible for everyone. For businesspeople, it allows connections with suppliers and other professionals interested in the same subjects who can become business partners. It is also a way to find investors and other players who will help in the development of the organization.