5 Ways to Reframe Your View of Networking

We all need to stop leaving networking for the last minute, frantic job searches—here’s how.

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Read time: 5 minutes

Hi Proactive Professional,

When you hear "networking," what comes to mind? If you're like many, the answer is "switching jobs." But this narrow view can be limiting, and frankly, a bit misleading.

(Well, I guess if you're in the IT field, you may think of the interconnectedness of devices, but I'll leave that to another newsletter to speak about.)

Networking is often pigeonholed into this frantic job-hunting phase, overshadowing its broader significance in career development, skill acquisition, mentorship, trust-building, and more. It's about creating a circle that genuinely roots for your success.

The fact is, everyone will eventually come to their "aha" moment when they see the value of networking beyond the job search.

My eye-opening moment happened my senior year of college. After missing out on a return offer from my J.P. Morgan internship, I was determined to break into investment banking. My approach? I headed to job land to quickly secure an offer:

In reality, it was a massive email blitz to nearly 1,000 industry professionals, tracking every interaction in an extensive Excel sheet. Still na?ve to the better way of networking, my outreach was heavily templated and lacked personalization.

I was lucky to receive almost 100 responses. Of those, I scheduled coffee chats or phone calls with about 50. The conversations that ended up going well were those where we hit on shared interests like soccer, travel, poker and opinions on the best NYC bagel. These were the connections that played a pivotal role in my entry into investment banking.

Having felt successful from my first networking conquest, I planned to keep these connections warm. Who knows—if I switch industries, these could be the same people helping me once again. Unfortunately, smart ideas in concept don't always become reality…

I planned to focus on the new job for a few months, then reach back out. But a few months quickly turned into a year, and a year turned into three.

Now I was looking to make the jump into a private equity job. Coincidentally, the people that helped me into banking were now all in private equity as well. But three years had gone by. How would it look for the next time I reach out to them to be related to finding a job, AGAIN. I couldn't do it…It felt wrong and transactional.

First lesson learned: Relationships aren't just for "now." They need to be maintained even if they don't seem immediately beneficial, otherwise they aren’t relationships—they’re favors. Even if that means a single yearly update with that person.

My next career move was looming, and I was hesitant to start from scratch with cold outreach again. This time, I turned to my colleagues and bosses for guidance—people with whom I had worked closely over the years. I led with gratitude for all they had done for me, mentioned I was interested in learning a new skill set in another role, and asked them for advice.

The feedback I received exceeded my expectations, a touch of disappointment about me leaving but a strong willingness to help. They emphasized that they appreciated my work over the years, the way I worked through constructive feedback, and how I interacted with the internal team and external clients. They were even willing to lend a hand with personal recommendations and contacts.

Second lesson learned: Networking is more than just reaching out to industry bigwigs; it's about the daily interactions, the way you present yourself, and how genuinely you engage with those around you. My internal network, which I had built almost inadvertently, became my strongest ally.

In retrospect, both the external and internal facets of networking are crucial. Each interaction, whether within or outside your current workplace, is a step towards building a robust professional network.

So let's reframe our view of networking.

Reframing How We View Networking:

1. Networking is a Continuous Process

Networking isn't a one-time event triggered by the need for a new job. It's an ongoing journey of building and nurturing a community. This community isn't just there for you; it's where you actively contribute, share knowledge, and support others. Regularly engaging with your network means sharing successes and challenges, seeking advice, offering help, and staying informed about others' progress. This continuous exchange enriches your professional life, fosters mutual growth, and ensures you're not just reaching out when you need something, but also when you have something to give.

2. Value Every Connection

Every person you meet has something unique to offer, irrespective of their position or experience. A junior colleague might bring fresh perspectives or innovative ideas, while a senior executive could offer wisdom and strategic insights. Treating each connection with respect and openness turns every interaction into a potential learning experience. Remember, today's junior colleague could be tomorrow's industry leader, and the relationships you build now will shape your professional future.

3. Be Genuine

Authenticity in networking is crucial. People can instinctively tell when you're genuinely interested in them versus when you're just trying to get something out of the interaction. Showing real interest in someone's experiences, challenges, and successes creates a foundation of trust and respect. This means actively listening, engaging in meaningful conversations, and showing empathy. Genuine interactions not only make networking more enjoyable but also more fruitful in the long run.

4. Maintain Your Network

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5. Internal Networking is Key

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As we progress through our careers, it's clear that networking is about much more than just landing the next job. It's about building genuine, lasting connections that enrich both our professional and personal lives. So, let's challenge ourselves to step beyond our comfort zones, nurture our networks with care, and embrace every interaction as an opportunity for growth.

Remember, the strength of your network is not measured by the number of contacts in your phone, but by the quality of relationships you maintain.

So when you are at work today, start building out that work squad.

What I’m committing to this week for building relationships (time commitment ~6 hours):

• ? Co-hosting Pitch on the Pitch: Soccer Networking for Tech, on Thursday at 7pm ET. Sign up here! (~2 hours)
• ?? Attending Anthony Pompliano’s 3rd Annual Christmas Party to meet more founders and leaders in the tech space (~2 hours)
• ?? Catching up with two former co-workers over drinks to hear about their new career developments (~1.5 hours)
• ?? Reflecting on my week this Friday: What type of networking do I get the most joy out of? (~15 minutes)

What are you committing to this week? Let me know on LinkedIn!

Helpful Links:

Check out Anthony Pompliano’s Christmas Party

Best of luck building,

Devin