How to network with colleagues – and why it’s important

Networking may conjure up images of mingling with strangers, swapping business cards, and attempting to find the right balance between small talk and delivering your personal elevator pitch. But, while networking is often done outside your company, there is a great networking opportunity you may be missing out on – your colleagues.

Whether its people you interact with every day or those you’ve never spoken to before, your colleagues have a wealth of connections and know-how. Networking with them can not only lead you towards your next role, but it can also enrich your working life.

Here, we outline the importance of networking with colleagues and how to do it with ease:

Why is it so important to network internally?

1. Insider access

One of the biggest positives about growing your internal network is that you’ll gain more knowledge about open positions or opportunities for promotion within your company. Plus, the more people get to know you, the more likely they are to recommend you for roles that match your skills, experience, and goals.

2. External opportunities

Just as you have a professional network made up of a broad range of people, so does each of your co-workers. When you connect with them, you are one step closer to their network. And when you’re more visible to colleagues, they’ll think of you the next time someone in their network brings up an opportunity that’s the right fit for you.

3. Boosting your profile

Networking helps to build your professional reputation. After all, people talk – especially when you’ve been in the same sector or company for a while. When they get to know you, colleagues will see what you bring to the company and get a sense of who you are beyond the hard skills. And you’ll also understand their value, leading to better collaboration throughout the company.

4. Enhancing your working environment

Forging connections with others in the workplace goes beyond possible career advancements. When these relationships are authentic, you’re building a crucial support network. And when you know you have colleagues you can trust and rely upon, your workplace experience is enhanced.

How to successfully network internally

1. Introduce yourself

The first thing to do is put yourself out there. It may feel awkward, but you can simply say something like, “I’ve seen you around the office, but I don’t think we’ve ever been introduced.” There’s no need to go in depth about your role within the company. Each time you see them it will become easier to strike up a conversation and strengthen that relationship.

2. Participate

Whether its volunteering for the community or attending the company-wide summer party, get involved with what’s happening in your company. You’ll meet people outside of your team and, with volunteering, you have the opportunity to demonstrate skills you may not use in your job. Even informal drinks after work can be used for networking, as it helps you get to know your co-workers better.

3. Welcome new colleagues

Remember that person that made you feel welcome when you first started at the company? Be that person for the next new colleague. Show them around, give them tips, and let them know you’re there if they need any help. Just as you have experience and skills to share, so do they. You can learn from each other, find common ground, and create a lasting connection.

4. Use LinkedIn

Many of your colleagues are on LinkedIn, so this is a valuable source for networking. Don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with them. To make it less impersonal, drop them a message when you ask to connect. You’ll likely find that you have people in common – it’s often surprising how big your network already is and how connected you are.

5. Connect your connections

As you build your network, remember to introduce or connect colleagues with people you know. Networking is a two-way street, so it’s important to help your co-workers out in the same way they help you. This shows you’re interested in developing genuine relationships and will foster a real sense of community throughout your network.

Networking for introverts

If you’re an introvert, networking most likely fills you with dread. But internal networking is a great way to start. You already have something in common – working for the same company – so introducing yourself is less daunting than connecting with someone externally.

If communicating face-to-face still isn’t comfortable, take advantage of online chat tools. Thanks to the increase in virtual working, people are used to reaching out and getting to know each other via tools such as Slack or Teams. You can avoid the pressure of in-person communication and take your time to write exactly what you want to say.

You can also ask your colleagues for introductions. Perhaps there’s a speaker you’d like to talk to at an upcoming work event, or maybe there’s someone in another team you’re interested in working with. Having a colleague help with introductions means you’re not going it alone, plus you’ll have a person vouching for you.

Networking is about so much more than climbing the career ladder. It involves building real relationships that foster collaboration. So, what better place to start than in your current workplace? Reach out to your colleagues today to create connections that will last into the future.