Rethinking Networking: It's About People, Not Profit

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “networking”? For most of us, it’s a stuffy room filled with business people swapping cards for their own gain. But is that all it is?

And what does it really mean when we say someone has a great network? Do they just have a huge collection of business cards? Probably. But let’s be serious: would you refer someone you just met to your boss or a high-level contact? Rarely, if ever. If you wouldn’t do it, why would you expect others to?

This is where we get networking wrong. It’s not about transactions; it’s about building professional relationships. And like any meaningful relationship, it takes time. If your goal is simply to meet as many people as possible, you’re not a relationship builder—you’re a card collector.

Give First, Ask Later

To build a meaningful connection, you have to invest your time and attention, not your money. The principle is the same as being a good friend: you show that you care. You have to be generous and offer help first without expecting anything in return. After all, would you want a friend who only helps you on the condition that you help them back?

But how can you be helpful? You can leverage your own strengths and expertise. If you work in finance, law, or health, you can offer insights to someone who needs them. You can connect people you know when it makes sense—a low-risk, high-reward way to help. Or you can simply share an article or a piece of information related to their interests.

Which leads to the most important part: how do you know what their interests are?

You have to be curious. That’s it. Before you can offer help, you have to offer your attention. It takes effort, but if you aren’t genuinely curious about people, you’ll never know enough about them to build a real connection.

Why Bother?

A good network can bring incredible opportunities your way. Opportunities are tied to people. They might tell you about a job opening you’d never have found, give you the inside scoop on what it’s really like to work at a certain company, or connect you to someone who can help when you’re stuck. It’s impossible for any of us to know everything and be aware of every opportunity on our own.

This is especially true if you're looking to make a significant career change. For example, if you want to move from the FMCG sector to the tech industry, people in your network can be invaluable guides. They can offer advice on transferable skills, tell you what hiring managers are looking for, and introduce you to the right people, making a daunting transition feel much more achievable.

To be clear, good networking isn’t about someone forcing a hiring manager to accept you, creating an unfair advantage. It’s about having people in your corner who will vouch for you because they know you, trust you, and genuinely want to work with you.

In the end, building a network is about surrounding yourself with good people who help each other grow. It takes time, so the best moment to start is now. You don’t have to begin by networking with executives; in fact, you should start with the people around you. People move, careers grow, and one day you might meet them again in a totally unexpected situation. Just be helpful, be curious, and let things fall into place.

And probably the most important rule of all? Don’t be a jerk. Nobody wants to be friends with one, let alone work with one.