Vinisha Rathod.
Love it or loathe it, networking isn’t new. You’ve been building relationships since the day you were born.
I define networking as building relationships with values-aligned people, for mutual benefit. That’s it. No business cards, no LinkedIn hacks. At any point in your life, you’re building relationships and your next opportunity or most meaningful friendship can come from anywhere.
Gone are the days when we stayed in the same job for 30 years. Our professional lives now span industries, cities, and even time zones. So, our ability to build relationships outside of our immediate workplace is more important than ever.
I often see people waiting for their manager to ‘see their value’ while making no effort to connect beyond their team. Please don’t fall into that trap.
Let’s say you’re suddenly back on the job hunt. That’s often when people reach out and try to ‘network’ for a specific outcome. The problem is, by then, you’re one of many in a sea of CVs. Business owners and hiring managers are already stretched. If you were in their shoes, would you hire someone from a cold resume or someone personally recommended by a few people you deeply trust?
It’s not who you already know
You might be thinking, “I’ve heard this before. The best opportunities come from your inner circle, and we all don’t have that privilege of established networks”.
You’re not wrong, but we now have more tools than ever to expand and deepen our networks. For the first time in history, we have access to a global audience. This is still one of the most underused ways to grow professionally.
So why does it matter to build beyond your immediate circle? Sociologist and professor at Stanford University Mark Granovetter found that “weak ties” like casual acquaintances and looser connections were more useful than close friends when it came to landing jobs. Why? Because your weak ties connect you to networks outside your own, and they give you access to ideas, industries, and people you wouldn’t otherwise encounter.
It’s the same reason why marketing works so well. We trust what we know and that trust deepens when people we trust also trust someone else. Word of mouth is still powerful. It just now travels through Zoom, DMs, Slack channels, and online communities.
The Briefcase Effect by Vinisha Rathod.
3 ways to improve your networking skills
Try these tips to improve your networking skills and reap the benefits:
1. Show up in person when you can
Remote work has done wonders for flexibility and inclusion. But there’s still something powerful about showing up physically, especially when it’s optional.
One tech accelerator I know offers co-working days as a bonus, not a requirement. Most people skip them. But those who do end up building relationships with people who can advocate for them inside and outside of their company. Sometimes, simply being familiar makes all the difference.
2. Attend meet-ups and industry events with curiosity, not an agenda
Go where the people are. One of our founders met her now-mentor at a low-key panel event. She wasn’t pitching or selling, just learning. These moments often lead to long-term relationships, not just short-term gains.
3. Don’t underestimate a thoughtful message
One of my closest friends, a chief product officer, told me that when someone reaches out on LinkedIn or online with genuine curiosity and a willingness to learn, she’s almost always happy to help.
Not everyone will be open but you never know unless you ask. The worst-case scenario is silence. The best? A conversation that changes everything.
3 tips to build confidence while building your network
Here’s how you can build your confidence as you grow your network:
1. Nail your answer to ‘What do you do?’
Make it memorable, personal, and clear. You’re not reciting your LinkedIn headline. You’re bidding for connection, not transactions.
2. Build relationships, not transactions
People can smell a pitch a mile away. If you approach someone solely for what they can give you, you’re not building trust, you’re draining it.
3. Keep your story consistent
I’ve seen people shapeshift based on who’s in the room. It’s exhausting and, honestly, people notice. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. Just be someone who knows who they are.
If you start seeing people as potential collaborators or friends, instead of stepping stones, the whole tone shifts.
And no, you won’t vibe with everyone. But you’re not meant to. That’s why diverse networks matter. Somewhere out there is someone who feels the same nerves you do, wondering how to start. You can make that easier, for both of you.
