The Ultimate Guide to Networking: Part 1 – The Basics
Ah, networking—a word that can make most scientists uneasy. The thought of mingling at a cocktail hour is understandably gross, and it’s probably not why most of us became scientists in the first place. Yet, networking is undeniably a crucial component of finding a job and unlocking the best opportunities. Contrary to popular belief, networking isn’t just about exchanging handshakes at events; it’s a skill we all naturally possess and use daily. This series of articles aims to reframe the traditional concept of networking, offering practical advice on how to harness your existing network to its fullest potential.
Networking Series Overview
This series will guide you through the entire networking process, even if you’re starting from scratch. I recommend reading the articles in order, as each one builds on the previous concepts. My approach to networking is designed to make the process feel more natural and less intimidating by understanding the psychology behind how we build and grow relationships.
This guide is quite comprehensive and will be split across 5 parts. Below is a breakdown of the topics we’ll be covering.
The basics: Understanding what a network is, recognizing that you already have one, and grasping the fundamental principles of giving and taking.
Maintaining your network: Talking to the people you already know and exploring how to leverage and grow these connections.
Expanding your network: This part will focus on getting warm introductions to new connections and will introduce the concept of the "Networking Gift," a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your networking efforts.
Informational interviews: How to set them up and how to make the most of them.
How to do cold outreach: In this part we offer strategies to maximize your success when contacting people, you’ve never met, whether through email or LinkedIn.
The Benefits of Networking
When it comes to job searching, networking is indispensable—an estimated 80% of jobs are secured through some form of networking. Many opportunities never make it to public job boards, as they are filled through personal connections first. Unlike applying to public listings, networking yields a much higher response rate—in the 70-80% range based on my clients’ experiences—compared to the dismal 1-3% response rate typical of mass job applications. The key takeaway in job searching is that quality trumps quantity.
One of the most significant benefits of networking are referrals. A referral can bypass the application process entirely, leading directly to an interview or even the creation of a job tailored just for you. Due to the strength of networking, I often recommend my clients to focus much more heavily on this approach as it has always yielded better results.
What Is a Network?
Now that we’ve established the importance of networking, what does it actually mean to network? Many people have a negative perception of networking, associating it with terms like sleazy, nepotistic, or unfair. In reality, a network is simply a collection of relationships. Networking, is merely the act of giving and taking from your network. At its core, your network includes everyone you know—family, friends, colleagues, even the person at your local store. Of course, the strength of these relationships varies, and we’ll discuss that more later. For now, it’s essential to recognize that everyone has a network, and the power of networking lies in your ability to give and receive from the people you know.
Relationships: The Foundation of a Network
As mentioned earlier, relationships are the backbone of any network. Before diving into how to leverage your network for job searching, it’s important to consider who you already know. Your strongest network connections are likely those with family and friends, but also people you see frequently, such as your boss or coworkers.
Each relationship in your network is unique. Think of a relationship as a plant—some are just saplings, newly formed and fragile, while others are like mighty oaks, strong and enduring. Consider those friends you can reconnect with after years apart as if no time has passed. These relationships have been nurtured over time, but like plants, relationships can grow or wither.
How large of a network should I have?
Contrary to popular belief, building a strong network doesn’t mean you need to meet as many people as possible. In the 1980s, British anthropologist Robin Dunbar estimated that humans can maintain around 150 stable relationships, including those with loved ones and colleagues. This means there’s a natural limit to the number of people you can truly know. Therefore, the focus should be on building quality relationships rather than accumulating connections. A strong network is characterized by a higher proportion of people who are willing to support you, rather than just knowing a large number of people. Additionally, it’s crucial to understand the context of your network—connections in your target industry, like biotech, are far more valuable than those in unrelated fields.
Giving and Taking
This brings us to the fundamental concept of building and maintaining relationships: giving and taking. In any relationship, you can either give or take. Let’s try a quick exercise—can you name three ways to take from a relationship? Now, can you name three ways to give? Most people find it easier to think of ways to take than ways to give.
Just as watering a plant is essential for its growth, giving is crucial for nurturing relationships. Giving can take many forms, such as offering a compliment, doing someone a favor, or providing a referral. On the other hand, taking might involve asking for a favor, seeking help, or requesting someone’s time.
Humans intuitively understand the balance between giving and taking. When someone constantly asks for favors without giving anything in return, it can create resentment. Conversely, if someone consistently gives, others often feel compelled to reciprocate (Note: Foreshadowing). This phenomenon is known as reciprocity.
Here’s a simple exercise to illustrate reciprocity: If a friend offered you a flyer for an event, would you accept it? What if they offered to buy you a drink? Now, what if they offered to buy you a house? Most people would hesitate to accept the house because they wouldn’t feel comfortable accepting something they couldn’t repay. This discomfort is often at the heart of why networking feels “icky” to many people—they approach it from a perspective of taking without giving. The solution is to focus on giving in your networking efforts.
In Adam Grant’s book Give and Take, he explores the dynamics of giving and taking, revealing that those who give the most (“Givers”) often occupy both ends of the success spectrum. Givers who give indiscriminately may become doormats, taken advantage of by others. However, givers who give strategically tend to be the most successful. Therefore, it’s essential to harness the power of giving tactically to strengthen your relationships.
When considering your relationships, think about how you can give to those you care about. Whether it’s sending a funny picture, sharing an interesting article, or helping with a task, small gestures can accumulate over time, building stronger connections.
Giving and Taking in the Context of Your Network
So, what does all this mean for your networking journey? With an understanding of how networks develop, it’s crucial to focus on the foundations—how to give to those you value. Start by thinking about some of your closest friends and listing ways you can nurture those relationships. Here are a few examples:
Send them a funny picture.
Share an article you know they’d find interesting.
Introduce them to a mutual friend.
Help them with a task.
As you can see, effective giving starts with understanding what the other person values. Much like choosing the perfect holiday gift, the key to building strong relationships lies in finding out what matters most to the other person.
Conclusion
Networking doesn’t have to be intimidating or unpleasant. By reframing it as an exchange of giving and taking within your existing relationships, you can build a network that feels genuine and supportive. In this first part of our networking series, we’ve covered the basics—understanding what a network is, recognizing that you already have one, and grasping the importance of giving over taking.
In the next part of the series, we’ll dive deeper into how to leverage your warm network—the people you already know—and explore strategies for nurturing and expanding these connections. Stay tuned as we continue to demystify the art of networking and help you build the relationships that will propel your career forward.