A 3 Step Guide to Networking: Build, Grow, and Maintain your Community
We don’t enter the workplace on equal footing. Like the world we live in, our workplaces are also governed by racist, misogynistic, ableist, and heteronormative systems. This means that many of us are left out and left behind.
The professional arena can be hostile and challenging for many women of color. These barriers exist for us from the moment our names are on a CV to the way we are expected to show up at work. And time and again, we’re advised to put ourselves out there, to claim space, and to network, as if these barriers suddenly disappear.
Author and designer, Ari Krzyzek, writes that although she understands that networking itself is challenging, she’s faced more than she expected, a fact she attributes to being a woman of color. She says that the lack of “support systems and mentoring opportunities, and encountering inherently biased social expectations”, results in limitations for WOC.
When it comes to networking, we are often asked to prove ourselves to an all-white audience. In “The Bias of ‘Professionalism’ Standards, Aysa Gray discusses how professionalism is code language for “white favoritism”. What’s more, is that as WOC we enter these spaces with inherent biases and prejudices stacked against us.
Despite the challenges in our way, there are major benefits to networking. We’re convinced the old-school methods we have so far relied on don’t serve many of us. Instead, we think we need to expand our definition, networks, and methods in a way that takes into account our unique challenges as WOC.
Illustration by Liu Liu
1 / Expand your Definition
Networking has historically been associated with “selling yourself”, and many still hold on to that view. But not only does this put a lot of pressure on you, it also creates a transactional relationship. Instead, we need to expand our definition of networking if we want to approach it more effectively.
Author, speaker, and founder of Embrace Change, Cynthia Pong in “Reclaiming Networking,” urges us to think about the process as connecting with others. She invites us to ask ourselves, how we can work together toward a greater good.
In expanding our definition of networking, we honor a more collaborative exchange. Not only is this less daunting and scary, but it also fosters better and healthier work relationships. Most importantly it encourages us to see these relationships that we build as reciprocal.
To build valuable and collaborative relationships, we have to ask ourselves some key questions.
What are my professional values? You want to be crystal clear about where you stand as you begin your journey into your career and into networking. Chances are, you will have much better luck connecting with folks who share your vision and values.
Who are the people and orgs that share these values? This is where you have to do your research. Who are fellow WOC who you can mentor, or reach out to for mentorship? Who are the allies in your field?
Where do these networking events take place? Being selective about the spaces you enter can save you a lot of energy. Do your homework: where are the virtual spaces, the master classes, conferences, meet-ups, etc. that you need to be at?
2 / Expand your Circle
Networking can and should look different for WOC. Just as our challenges are unique to us, the tools we require are also different. We believe that fostering a community ethos is essential to effective networking for WOC. Establishing relationships is essential to building these networks, and being a part of communities where individuals have similar experiences is incredibly helpful to feeling heard and valued.
Building a support network is crucial to balancing feelings of marginalization and having a sense of belonging. This directly impacts our professional growth. Expanding our circles to include support in a way that meets our intersectional needs is a must. Here are three types of people you want around you:
The confidant: this is a person you can go to un-filtered. Your confidant doesn’t have to be from work. What’s important is that the relationship is honest and open. You want someone who you can turn to in your most critical moments; someone who will validate you and offer you constructive advice.
The advocate: this is a person in your field of work who will vouch for you. As WOC, it’s crucial that we detect early on who our advocates and allies are; the people who will have our back even when we’re not in the room.
The connector: this is a person who knows a lot of people and is generous enough to make introductions. Everyone needs a connector in their circle.
“Like the world we live in, our workplaces are also governed by racist, misogynistic, ableist, and heteronormative systems. This means that many of us are left out and left behind.”
3 / Expand your Methods
Attending in-person conferences can sometimes be awkward or inaccessible. One of the biggest advantages of living in a remote and global world is that networking can take place anywhere. Here are some ways you can expand your methods to ensure you are making the right connections.
LinkedIn is a really valuable platform to find the people and organizations you need. According to CareerEdge, about 90 percent of recruiters use LinkedIn to find talent. Your first order of business is to make sure your profile is optimized. CareerEdge shares 14 strategies to help you boost your page.
Get in the habit of setting up informational interviews. In contrast to formal job interviews, informational interviews are casual conversations between you and your prospective employer about the company. The advantage of informational interviews is that you can make connections and seek advice at any stage to simply scope the scene.
Find your community. One of the best ways to network and grow is to find spaces that make you feel safe, seen, and challenged. Finding your community means connecting with folks who better understand the barriers you face. This can take the shape of women's conferences, or field-specific conventions. Find the spaces you need to be at and be there!
We want to hear from you! What are your networking fears? How do you overcome those challenges?
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Coming up Next
It’s no secret that academia has its own unique barriers. Even with DEI efforts, academic spaces continue to pose challenges for marginalized communities. In our next blog, we consider the dos and dont’s of academia and offer practical tips to plan your career beyond the Ph.D.