Most professionals have heard that networking is critical if they want to grow and advance their careers. However, not all of them realize why it’s essential, causing them to downplay or disregard advice about cultivating professional relationships.

In the end, networking is a potent tool, one that brings about more benefits than many professionals realize. If you wonder what you have to gain from professional relationships, here are a few advantages that come with the territory.

Networking Can Move Your Career Forward

Often, the clearest benefit professionals see from networking is opportunities to advance their careers. Overall, a surprising number of open positions aren’t publicly advertised. Instead, they’re filled through connections, avenues that you can tap if your network is strong.

Plus, professional relationships help you do more than just learn about opportunities; you can also secure referrals. Since a referral from a respected colleague or contact is typically taken more seriously than a resume from an unknown, it can increase your odds of advancing through the hiring process.

Professional Relationships Boost Your Well-Being

By cultivating professional relationships, you aren’t just forging connections that can benefit your career; you’re also developing social connections that can boost your well-being. By building relationships at work, you have colleagues you can chat with regularly, giving you a quick boost during tough days. Outside of the workplace, these connections can also fill social needs, giving you people with shared interests to engage with regularly.

Professional relationships are particularly valuable if you face a workplace challenge and need to speak with someone who understands, especially if you’re in a niche career. It gives you an outlet for struggles, as well as a person who will celebrate your triumphs, all because they know what it takes to navigate the various situations.

Networking Builds Confidence

The act of networking can be a major confidence boost. You continuously engage with others, developing critical social skills that can benefit your career. Often, you’ll get comfortable with meeting new people and engaging in discussions. In turn, you may become more effective during meetings, when engaging with customers, and more.

This is particularly true if you’re naturally a bit reserved, shy, or introverted. In many cases, networking can happen in small doses, allowing you to increase your comfort level slowly over time. That may be a better approach than public speaking classes or similar options if you need a chance to recharge before engaging again.

Professional Relationships Keeps You Up-to-Date

When you build professional relationships, you have the ability to learn tidbits about your industry, discuss emerging trends, and otherwise exchange ideas. Many professionals actively discuss news or share information with others in the same field. Along with increasing awareness, it gives them a chance to discuss exciting details with others who have a similar perspective.

Additionally, these conversations aren’t just an excellent way to stay up-to-date on your field. By engaging in conversation, it may help you find answers to challenges you face, potentially faster than you could otherwise.

Ultimately, networking and professional relationships are essential for your career, often in ways you wouldn’t expect. If you’d like to find out more about how cultivating connections could help you professionally, the team at VB wants to hear from you. Contact us today.