Networking made (really) easy: Why everyone has a network

When it comes to networking, many people react with nervousness. Thoughts such as "I can't do this", "I've never done it before" or "I don't have a network" immediately spring to mind. But we often forget that we all already have a network, often in areas that we are not even aware of. If you really look closely, you will see that the people around us are already part of our network. They are our family members, our neighbours, the members of our football club or the participants in our yoga class. They can all be a valuable source of personal and professional connections.

Networking is not just about business

Many of us think that networking is exclusively for business people or executives who attend meetings and conferences and exchange business cards at events. But networking does not always have to be formal and business-like. Often it is everyday encounters that open up valuable contacts and new opportunities for us. The hairdresser we chat with regularly, the sales assistant at our favourite bakery who has known us for years – all these people often not only know our career history, but also have contacts that could be useful for our professional development. 

Networking can also simply be about forming new relationships on a personal level. A conversation with a neighbour who may work in the same field or has a useful tip is just as valuable as an exchange at an industry event. These connections can often lead to new opportunities even faster, as a personal connection already exists.

Why your network is bigger than you think

A common misconception is that networks consist only of people who work in the same field as us. But a good network is made up of many different sources. Every person we meet has different experiences and contacts. For example, the football teammate we regularly meet at training can give us valuable insights into another area that was previously inaccessible to us. The neighbour who works in a different industry could point us to interesting projects or job offers that we might not have found on our own. 

Especially when many career developments no longer take place through traditional job applications, but often come about through personal recommendations and relationships, it becomes clear how important a solid personal network is. We don't always have to be in constant contact with everyone we know. It is often enough to stay in touch from time to time and show interest in each other's activities and projects. This way, you remain in each other's minds and can benefit from valuable opportunities as soon as they arise.

Networking as part of everyday life

The true art of networking is that we should not view it as an additional task or a “must”, but rather as a normal extension of the relationships we already have. Those who are open-minded and show interest in other people will find that networking happens almost automatically in everyday life. A conversation in a café with an old school friend or an exchange with colleagues or friends often gives rise to new ideas or contacts that can lead to professional opportunities. 

By regularly nurturing these relationships, we create a network that consists not only of "useful" contacts, but also of people with whom we actually have a personal connection. Authentic networking is the most beneficial, as it is based on trust and mutual respect.