In many engineering careers, who you know can be as important as what you know. The relationships you forge with other industry experts, colleagues, and managers can help you access roles and opportunities you’d never encountered.
What’s more, effective networking allows you to learn from other thought leaders and industry experts. In a industry that’s constantly changing, your network can help you stay one step ahead of market dynamics, trends, and changes.
Reports show that around 80% of professionals say networking is crucial to career success. Yet, many people don’t know how to forge strong relationships effectively. Here’s how to build a more powerful network and use it to your advantage in the engineering industry.
The Power of Networking in the Engineering Industry
Networking in the engineering industry isn’t just about forging new relationships with colleagues and thought leaders. It’s about connecting with people who can help you to make consistent progress throughout your career.
In the current job market, where engineering companies struggle to find talent in a skills-short setting, many leaders rely on their existing employees to direct them towards qualified candidates. Studies suggest referred candidates are seven times more likely to receive a job offer than someone who applies for a role through a job site.
This means members of your network can help you to access role opportunities you might not find elsewhere. Plus, a strong network gives you endless behind-the-scenes insights into the current engineering landscape, new ways to learn from your peers, and even a way to hone valuable soft skills in areas such as communication and collaboration.
Starting your Networking Journey
The most difficult step is figuring out where to get started when building your network. The best results come from a strategic approach. Start with a professional assessment. Understanding your career goals, strengths, and weaknesses can give you an insight into what kind of people you should connect with to unlock new opportunities.
It also gives you the insights you need to create a “unique value proposition” for yourself as an employee. By examining your strengths, you can determine what sets you apart from other engineering candidates and how you deliver value to your network.
Utilise what you discover about yourself, craft an “elevator” pitch – a 30-60 second introduction that communicates who you are, your values, what you do, and why you matter. This will help you position yourself as a valuable connection to other employees and form the foundation for your personal branding journey.
Building Your Online Presence
In today’s digital world, a significant amount of networking occurs online. LinkedIn alone is home to over 1 billion professionals constantly looking for ways to forge valuable connections with peers and draw attention to their brand.
Consider what people see when they search for you online. What do your social media profiles say about you, your personality, and your achievements? A strong LinkedIn profile should include a high-quality photo, a compelling headline that reflects your career goals and expertise, and a summary of your skills and experiences.
Regularly update your profile with new accomplishments, certifications, and work samples to keep it current and engaging.
Beyond LinkedIn, look for ways to demonstrate your knowledge of the engineering industry and connect with other professionals through various channels. You can use X and Facebook to follow companies, recruitment teams, and other professionals in your space. You could consider creating a website where you share insights into your work.
Another option is to look into industry-specific forums or subreddits dedicated to the engineering space to engage in discussions with like-minded peers.
Navigating Offline Networking
Although building connections with engineering peers and experts online are key, face-to-face interactions, where possible, remain valuable. Meeting in person promotes stronger human relationships, making you more memorable than online interactions.
Plus, engaging in offline networking opportunities, whether you sign up for workshops related to the engineering industry or attend events and conferences, allows you to learn about industry trends and concepts as you build your network.
Look for relevant events that will positively impact your role and provide useful insights you can use to showcase your thought leadership. Consider joining professional associations in the engineering space, and check out the online, offline and hybrid events they host.
Volunteering and getting involved in community experiences can help boost your offline networking efforts. Whether volunteering for a charitable cause or helping organize industry-related events, these activities allow you to meet professionals outside your usual circles.
Volunteering also demonstrates characteristics linked to leadership, commitment, and passion – these traits often resonate with the people you meet, leading to stronger connections.
Nurturing Professional Relationships
One of the biggest mistakes employees make when networking is failing to nurture and retain the relationships they build. After you meet someone relevant to your career, whether it’s online or offline, follow up with them.
Send a personalised email or message on a social media platform, discussing what you learned from them, asking a question, or offering an insight they can use in their career. Dedicate a portion of your time each week to reaching out to people you’ve developed connections with to discuss a newsworthy topic or ask about their latest accomplishments.
Remember, reciprocity is crucial. Avoid only asking your connections for advice or help in finding a new job; offer them value in return. Comment on their social media posts with your insights, share links to valuable articles, and endorse their skills on LinkedIn.
Leveraging Your Network for Career Opportunities
A strong network is more than just a tool for career progression; it can help unlock new opportunities when used effectively. Therefore, consider contacting the people in your network to ask for a referral or introduction when looking for a new job opportunity.
It’s advised to ask for referrals and introductions after you’ve dedicated time to building rapport with a connection. Explain why you feel it would benefit that person to introduce you to leadership at their company and express gratitude for the introduction.
During your job search and career transitions, pay attention to your network and any shares in useful information on job leads or opportunities. Don’t be afraid to ask members of your network for advice on preparing for an interview in engineering or how to optimise your CV and cover letter when applying for a new role.
Internal networking in your current organisation could also be of value. Building relationships with colleagues in your workplace can help boost your chances of future promotions and career advancement opportunities.
Overcoming Networking Challenges
Although networking is often crucial to success in the engineering industry, we understand that this can be intimidating or uncomfortable for some. The key to success is starting small. Beginning with achievable goals, like having meaningful conversations with engineering leaders online before attending a large event, could serve as an ice breaker.
If you’re an introverted person, leverage your strengths. Being a good listener is an asset, too and opting for smaller one-on-one meetings might be a more comfortable way of networking for some. A tip is preparing conversation starters and questions before a networking meeting or event.
Balancing professionalism with authenticity is key. Presenting yourself professionally and polishedly is crucial, and being genuine with the people you meet is important. Share your true interests and values.
All the best
Steve
At Coalesce we have been partnering with engineering candidates for over 28 years; if you would like our support in how to improve your networking strategy, then give us a call on 07512 821708 or email us here.