Why Internal Networking Is Just as Critical as External Networking
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When most people think about networking, they imagine attending events, sending cold LinkedIn messages, or striking up conversations with strangers in their industry. These are the traditional approaches, and they’re effective. But there’s one piece of the networking puzzle that’s often overlooked: internal networking—building relationships within your current organization.
This isn’t just a feel-good piece of advice. Whether you plan to stay at your current company for the long haul or you’re already plotting your next career move, internal networking can have a massive impact on your professional trajectory.
Here’s why:
Staying Long-Term? Build Political Equity.
If you’re committed to staying at your current company for the foreseeable future, internal networking is a no-brainer. Organizations are not meritocracies. Promotions and opportunities aren’t handed out to the person who works the hardest or logs the most hours. They’re given to the person who is visible, trusted, and well-connected.
By networking internally, you’re not just doing your job; you’re positioning yourself for growth. You’re building political equity—an informal currency that gives you influence and credibility. This equity ensures you’re in good standing with the right people, like your boss’s boss or key stakeholders in other departments. These relationships can:
Help you secure leadership opportunities.
Put you on the radar for high-profile projects.
Protect you during times of organizational change or layoffs.
Think of it this way: hard skills might get your foot in the door, but relationships will keep you moving up the ladder.
Planning to Leave? Lay the Groundwork for Future Opportunities.
“Why invest time networking internally if I don’t plan to stay here?” you might ask. It’s a fair question, especially in an industry like tech, where the average tenure is roughly two years. Here’s the reality: even if your current company is just a pit stop, your colleagues today could be your biggest advocates tomorrow.
Here’s why:
Tech is a Small World: The tech industry is surprisingly interconnected. When someone leaves your company, chances are they’ll land at another tech organization that aligns with their skills and goals. That could be the exact company you’re eyeing for your next move.
Warm Referrals Beat Cold Outreach: If you’ve built strong relationships internally, those same colleagues can open doors for you in the future. Imagine one of your peers moves to a top-tier organization. A year later, when you’re ready to move on, they could provide you with a referral that gets your foot in the door. Warm referrals carry significantly more weight than applying cold.
Opportunities Follow Strong Connections: Maybe they’ll bring you along when they move on. Perhaps they’ll reach out years later with an opportunity that wasn’t even on your radar. These kinds of career-defining moments don’t happen by chance; they’re the result of consistent, intentional relationship-building.
The “How” of Internal Networking
Knowing the benefits of internal networking is one thing. Actually doing it is another. Here’s how to get started:
1. Be Visible, Not Annoying
Visibility matters, but there’s a fine line between being present and being overbearing. Start small:
Volunteer for cross-functional projects.
Share your wins in team meetings (without being boastful).
Speak up in all-hands meetings when you have a thoughtful contribution.
2. Build Relationships Across Departments
Don’t limit yourself to just your immediate team. Cross-departmental relationships can:
Give you insight into different parts of the business.
Position you as a well-rounded professional.
Increase your exposure to senior leaders.
Pro tip: Ask a colleague in another department for a 15-minute coffee chat to learn more about what they do. People love talking about themselves.
3. Understand and Align with Leadership’s Goals
Pay attention to what leadership values. This isn’t about being a sycophant—it’s about aligning your work and contributions with the company’s goals. When you’re seen as someone who supports leadership’s vision, you’ll naturally become a trusted ally.
4. Support, Don’t Compete
Networking isn’t about self-promotion; it’s about mutual value. Look for ways to help your colleagues succeed:
Offer to mentor newer employees.
Share insights or tools that have helped you.
Celebrate your coworkers’ successes—authentically.
When people see you as a team player, they’ll remember you positively long after you’ve moved on.
A Word of Caution
Internal networking doesn’t mean office politics. This isn’t about gossiping, forming cliques, or undermining others to get ahead. Authenticity is key. Focus on building genuine relationships based on trust, respect, and mutual benefit. Anything less will backfire.
Start Networking Where You Are
Networking isn’t just an external exercise. It’s about building a web of relationships that support you—inside and outside your company. Internal networking ensures you’re:
Positioned for growth if you stay.
Well-connected if you decide to move on.
So, the next time you think about networking, don’t limit yourself to coffee meetings with strangers on LinkedIn. Start with the people you see every day. You never know where those relationships might take you.
If you’re looking for bespoke advice, you can book a call with me here.
I also wrote an e-book that details all my advice in one spot which you can by here for just $5.