This image of networking can be quite daunting to anyone, and yet it is a tool that is vital to our career development. I am what I call a “false extrovert”. I’m really an introvert, shy and nervous about meeting new people, but I force myself to face the fear daily and “get out there” in the world. It is a challenge, and even now, almost nine years after I started Impressability, I get an attack of the nerves before an event.

Many people believe networking is only a skill required for the upper echelons of the career ladder, but in truth this is not the case. There is a widely held misconception that hirers will put a job advertisement up on an employment agency website as the first step to finding the person they are looking for to fill a vacancy. However, this is often the last step in their process. Most people looking to hire initially look to their network to see if they know of anyone appropriate – this is often considered to lower the hire risk because they come with a recommendation from a trusted contact.

Job seekers, on the other hand, generally keep their hunt for a new position a closely guarded fact; it’s not something they generally share among their network. If they are already hired, they often don’t want their current hirer to know for fear of being given the boot. How often has that happened to you? You have been quietly looking for another job, your boss has found out and told you to finish up at the end of shift? For a hirer, they can see this as a breach of trust.

For those experiencing unemployment, very few like to broadcast that fact. There is often a sense of shame attached to experiencing unemployment (although I must take a moment to acknowledge that there is no shame in the experience).  As such, job seekers often find themselves looking for work quietly.

I’m sure you can see the problem here – hirers and job seekers are coming at the issue of employment from opposite ends of the field. However, networking does not have to mean stuffy business meetings. The skill can actually be applied anywhere. Essentially, the word itself means “to interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.” Anywhere that you are involved with a group of people on a regular or semi-regular basis can become an opportunity for networking.

Step outside your usual circle and introduce yourself to the people around you. Get to know who they are and share who you are. You would be amazed by what can come from meeting with people just outside your normal circle.

For those who are skilled at using social media, this is another means of connecting with others related to you or your industry. Using LinkedIn to meet new people and get involved in industry discussions in the various groups on the platform is a fantastic way to build your reputation as an expert in your field and grow your opportunities.

Networking can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. I have managed to land several roles over the last few years due to my contacts within my network.

Despite my own trepidation, I am the first to acknowledge just how important this skill is in finding new opportunities. There is a lot to be said for taking a deep breath and introducing yourself to someone new.