It’s not what you know, it’s who you know!
How many times have you heard that one? In many ways, however, it is true. Knowing the right people can help you gain experience, find yourself in the right place at just the right time, and advance your career in ways you might not have thought about before.
Many of us think that the best place to do this is outside our place of work, perhaps at professional meet-ups or conferences. While this type of networking does certainly have its value and should not be neglected, the person who can really help you out might actually be one of your colleagues.
Modern workplaces don’t always easily facilitate professional relationships with colleagues. It is too easy to get siloed in your own departments, and hybrid or remote work means you can struggle to even physically get in the same room as someone. Though 1 in 5 Americans say they have a “best friend” at work, such a relationship may only be a social one and not able to deliver on a professional level too.
Networking within your own company might be the best way forward here. Let’s take a look at what internal networking can offer you, and how to do it well.
Why Do We Network?
When we network, we seek to create key professional relationships that can help us advance our careers in various ways. You never know when you may have to call on someone for advice or a helping hand. Networking gives us the chance to meet and form these connections. Remember, this isn’t about making friends in the workplace, but building a reputation as someone friendly and always open to meeting people is never a bad thing.
Internal Networking vs External Networking
Many relationships in business are built on external connections. Mutually beneficial relationships form when we have the chance to meet people from other companies. This is usually done through formal events such as conferences. These events often have scheduled networking time, maybe around a coffee meeting or lunch, and it gives you a chance to meet your peers and even get some time with people you would never be in the same room as.
You can’t deny the importance of networking, especially if you are actively working on advancing your career. Though the path to the top might be long and difficult, building relationships and meeting mentors can be key in helping you achieve whatever career goals and aspirations you may have.
However, if you choose to only focus on people outside your organization, you automatically cut yourself off from a whole swathe of people who could help you reach your goals. Choosing to internally network as well as expand your connections in your wider industry can give you dual avenues to pull advice and aid from. When faced with an issue, you should have plenty of places to turn for help if you want a second opinion or support.
How to Network Internally
External networking may look like attending networking events and swapping business cards or LinkedIn connections, but this doesn’t exactly match up with building an internal network. Can you imagine dropping a business card off at the desk of someone in a different department? Not many people would, and it might be a bit of an odd introduction for some!
Internal networking can very easily become just another part of company culture with many people engaging with it without even realizing it. However, if you want to make an active attempt at networking internally, here are some tips to help you out!
Say “Hi” (Yes, it’s that simple.)
First things first, be prepared to just say hi more. If you see someone new, introduce yourself. They may be one of the new employees, or they could just be someone from another department that you just haven’t met yet. Either way, you can’t get to know them if you don’t make that first connection with a simple “hello.”
A simple “hi” can open more doors for you than you might imagine. It is easy to see the social value in a simple connection. Inviting someone to join you at your table in the break room is a simple gesture, and yet it shows you that you are friendly and approachable—someone others in the office know will always be open for a chat.
Say “Yes” more
So, now that you are saying hello to more people, how do you expand your circle even further? Every company will have internal functions like mixers or nights out. These social activities will always grant you the opportunity to meet people from other departments who you might not get a chance to meet. By saying yes and heading along to these social events, you automatically give yourself the opportunity to meet them.
Why not check out if your company offers employee resource groups (ERGs) that may apply to your identity? ERGs are often organized around marginalized identities such as race, sexuality, or gender, but they can also be organized around other characteristics like veteran status or parenthood. Heading along to an ERG activity or meeting will allow you to meet new people, but you will already have something in common with them to help ease you into conversation, beyond the fact that you work for the same company, that is!
Try to meet in person
Connections are always better built in person rather than through webcams or emails. Sure, these can be great sources for making that initial connection, but they are not the best way to nurture strong relationships. Instead, try to create space in meetings to get together in person.
Of course, this isn’t always possible. If you are in offices on opposite sides of the country, you can’t just meet up to discuss the next quarter’s budget over a coffee. However, taking that extra bit of effort to get in the same room and discuss things in person will make all the difference. If you are located in the same building, try to get together in person for meetings, even if all you do is a quick walk and talk. If you are in different locations, try to get together every quarter at a minimum. It really will make all the difference to your relationship.
What Are the Benefits of Networking Internally?
Why should we network internally? If you still think that external networking is all you need, allow us to give one last push to explain the benefits of internal networking!
Establishing yourself in your industry is a very important part of building a career, and you must have the right foundation of support to do so. Gaining this support can be done through networking, and internal networking can also deliver the following benefits:
Visibility
A worker who vanishes into the background and quietly gets their work done without advocating for themselves is, unfortunately, never going to be recognized for all their hard work. Internal networking allows us to meet with as many people in our company as possible. This gives us greater visibility among colleagues and, therefore, more of a chance to bring attention to our accomplishments.
If you are able to visibly demonstrate your value to the company to a wide variety of people, you improve your reputation within the company. Improving your visibility and ensuring you are someone recognized not just by upper management but by co-workers and peers too is an extremely important part of managing your career.
Credibility
Being well-known in your company isn’t enough; this isn’t a personality contest, after all, but a chance for you to further your own career. By networking and sharing your expertise, you have the opportunity to build your own credibility within your company and niche.
Rather than just being someone everyone knows and likes, you become someone who everyone knows delivers results. Build a strong professional reputation that serves your needs and plans for your career. The more people who know you and what you can do, the more often they will put you forward as a credible aid or problem-solver.
Opportunities
Networking internally will bring you new opportunities that you may never have the chance to get without those crucial connections. For example, you may be asked to mentor a junior colleague who shows interest in moving to your department. The colleague who nominates you as a mentor has maybe worked with you before, has seen the results you produce, and knows that you will be a credible and trustworthy support for the junior colleague.
It can seem frustrating when it feels like opportunities consistently pass you by. However, you simply might not be putting yourself out there enough. Try internal networking and getting to know your colleagues, and watch as the doors begin to open.
Advocate for yourself and your career
Advocating for yourself in the workplace doesn’t just mean standing up for yourself in times of trouble. It can also mean putting yourself out there so that you are included in important conversations where you should have a place at the table, and that you become well known in your company for being reliable and knowledgeable.
Don’t make the mistake of sitting around and waiting for someone to acknowledge you.
Stepping out of your comfort zone and making that first connection can be daunting, but you never know where it might lead you. Internal networking gives us the opportunity to forge those powerful links within our own company, and it can help you meet the people you need to shape your career.
Why not start by joining an ERG? Employee resource groups are a great way to meet like-minded people or those with similar backgrounds. Becoming part of an ERG can quickly enable you to explore the full range of what internal networking can offer. You could make connections with other employees just like you, with similar backgrounds and mindsets, who you otherwise might never have had the chance to meet.
No ERGs at your current workplace? Why not set one up yourself? Diverst ERG management software by MentorcliQ takes the admin strain away from you, so you can focus on nurturing those connections and networking in a more meaningful way. Book a demo with us to find out more about what the world of ERGs and mentoring can offer!