The word networking makes some people uncomfortable.
It can sound like walking into a room and collecting as many contacts as possible.
That is not particularly useful.
Professional relationships are usually much more ordinary.
- You meet someone.
- You have a useful conversation.
- You ask about their work.
- You share something you have been working on.
- You help them when you can.
- You stay in touch.
Over time, familiarity becomes a relationship.
- You do not need to pretend to be someone you are not.
- You do not need to ask everyone for a job.
- You do not need hundreds of contacts.
A few genuine professional relationships can be far more useful than a large list of names.
You can start with people you already know.
- Former classmates.
- People you worked with.
- Mentors.
- People you met at professional events.
- Developers whose work you respect.
- People in industries you are curious about.
- Ask questions.
- Be interested.
- Listen.
And remember that relationships should work both ways.
You should not only contact people when you need something.
Build relationships before you need them.
That is networking without the performance.