In an increasingly connected world of work, networking has become a key tool for generating opportunities, establishing strategic relationships and gaining professional visibility. It’s no longer just about handing out cards, but about building authentic networks that drive your personal and professional development.
What is networking?
Networking is the art of creating and maintaining professional relationships that can add value to your career or business. It’s not about asking for work or selling at all costs, but about building trust, sharing interests and building mutually beneficial connections.
Imagine you go to an event and meet someone with whom you share an industry and concerns. In time, that person recommends you for a job opening or introduces you to a potential client. That’s networking in action.
According to a LinkedIn study, 85% of jobs are obtained through networking. This reflects their real power in the workplace.
Origin of the term and evolution in the professional field
The term networking emerged in the 1970s in the U.S. business world, although the concept of “making contacts” has always existed. What has changed radically is the way we do it.
With digitalization, networking has moved from physical events to platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram or even specialized forums. Today you can connect with professionals from all over the world with a single click, attend webinars or participate in virtual communities, without leaving home.
What is networking for?
Networking is not only useful when you are looking for a job. It also helps you to:
- Be up to date in your sector.
- Knowledge sharing.
- Open doors to new collaborations.
- Gain visibility and positioning as a professional.
Let’s look at its benefits in detail:
Generation of employment and business opportunities
Do you know someone who got a job because they were recommended? Or a collaboration that came out of a casual chat at an event? Networking is that invisible channel where these types of opportunities occur.
Let’s say for example you are a freelance designer, a few months ago you attended a coworking conference and met a web developer. Today you work together offering comprehensive services to startups. Without networking, you would never have crossed paths.
Creation of valuable relationships and collaborations
Networking is not about accumulating contacts, but about creating genuine relationships. You can meet a mentor to help you grow, someone to launch a project with, or even future partners.
Sectoral events, professional communities, coworking meetings or mentoring programs are ideal scenarios to cultivate these types of links.
Visibility and professional positioning
A strong network can help you stand out in your industry. Sharing useful content, participating in debates or giving talks positions you as a reference.
We found cases of consultants who started writing on LinkedIn and today collaborate with specialized media, which shows how digital networking well done can boost your personal brand.
How does networking work in practice?
Networking is not improvised: it requires strategy and consistency. That’s how it works:
- Prepare your personal pitch: who you are, what you do and what you are looking for.
- Be proactive: attend events, network, participate.
- Listen more than you talk: show genuine interest in others.
- Give before you ask: offer help, share resources.
- Follow up: thank them for the conversation, keep in touch.
Face-to-face networking vs digital networking
Both formats have advantages:
- Face-to-face: more proximity and immediate trust. Ideal for informal talks, afterworks, fairs, coworkings.
- Digital: more reach and availability. Useful for maintaining long-distance relationships, finding referrals and sharing content.
Platforms like LinkedIn, Slack or even Instagram have become key for digital networking. The ideal: combine them all.
Common networking mistakes (and how to avoid them)
We all make mistakes. Here are some common ones and how to fix them:
- Just talk about yourself: Be interested in others, ask questions.
- Disappear after the first contact: Send a follow-up message or share something of value.
- Think only of what you can get: Practice generosity, reciprocity comes on its own.
- Not preparing: Be clear about your objective before going to an event or contacting someone.
Conclusion: Networking as a tool for growth
Networking isn’t just about handing out cards or asking for favors. It’s about building authentic relationships, staying active in your industry and being open to collaboration. And most importantly, it’s a skill that is trained with practice.
It doesn’t matter if you are just starting out or you are an expert: you can always expand your network and discover new opportunities.
If you want to take your networking to the next level, we invite you to know Wayco, coworking spaces in Valencia where real connections are generated between professionals eager to grow together.
