On the Art of Networking - How to Network as a Researcher
Hey Neurons,
Networking is one of those words that every scientist seems to hate. Maybe it is because it stands in direct contrast to our introverted nature, or perhaps because it can seem quite convoluted and contrived. However, many master's and PhD students, as well as postdoctoral researchers, also recognize that it is an essential skill for landing your next position, getting new research ideas, and finding potential future collaborations.
Science should, of course, be meritocratic. However, if your future professor already knows, even remotely, who you are, the application process and interview for your next job can go a lot more smoothly. Furthermore, something I have noticed is that professors from different institutes and backgrounds can have different landscapes of opportunities they can present you with. For example, your current local professor might know about grant opportunities within your country, certain committees at your university that you should join, and opportunities to mentor students. However, a professor one department over might have a more international network and thus know about international conferences you should attend or opportunities to apply for international grants. Thus, having a larger network, obtained through the dreaded networking, can offer you a range of opportunities you might never have considered.
From the beginning, I can be quite honest: I do not think I am a natural networker. I think some specific people seem to have a knack for finding opportunities in every situation. However, during my time as a master's student, PhD student, and now postdoctoral researcher, I have picked up on some general tips that might ease your way into at least one or two unexpected opportunities.
1. “Give before you ask.”
Potentially, one of the main reframes of networking that I want to put forward is to see it more as serving. Networking is very “I”-focused: What can I get? What can I find? What opportunities are out there for me? But serving is more focused on the other person: What can I do for them? What might be useful to them?
When you change the dynamic towards thinking, What can I do for this person?, the interaction usually becomes much more amicable for both parties. Thus, when you start an interaction, try to begin with something you can offer: a paper, feedback on a draft, a useful tool, before you need anything back.
If you are just starting out in research, you might think you have nothing to offer. But it can even be as simple as having one or two interesting questions that you can ask to make someone stop and think. I have often found that researchers do not react particularly well to immediate questions about possible jobs or opportunities. Instead, if you think, How can I potentially help this person?, a much more open conversation tends to follow.
2. Joining networks, conferences and committees
In my regard, this is probably one of the best pieces of advice for junior researchers (and sometimes also more senior researchers): join a committee or network. Especially at university, you often have, for example, PhD and postdoctoral committees, conference organizing teams, and opportunities to act as a representative in departmental meetings. This allows you to “network” in a much more natural setting. For example, conferences are technically great places to meet people. However, if you do not have a common topic or goal, people are usually not the most interested in talking with you. Thus, if you can join a committee beforehand, help organize the conference, promote it on social media, or do some outreach, you often end up working much more closely with the people you would like to connect with.
I have personally worked as a postdoctoral representative at my institute, and although it seemed quite innocuous, it was a great opportunity to get some insight into the workings of the department. It also allowed me to meet with the department head and talk with her about her plans for the future development of the department.
In general, I would join committees that you genuinely think are interesting. For example, if you like writing or outreach, join the national science fair or the blog-writing website of your university. If you like public speaking, see if you can present something once at your department. All these little jobs put you out there and give your department, and potentially people beyond it, a chance to know who you are. All of this, of course, does take time and effort. But honestly, connecting with people without putting in some effort is not really feasible, I believe.
3. Follow-up cadence
This last piece of advice is actually something I have to be honest about and am only currently implementing in my own life: actually following up with people, or, as I like to think of it, the rule to always send a follow-up.
The cadence can be decided by you, but for example, within 48 hours of meeting someone, you might want to add them on LinkedIn and include one specific line referencing the conversation you had, plus something that might be interesting or useful for them. This could be a paper you mentioned, another person you think they should talk to, or potentially a grant that fits their profile. You might not get anything back from it, but in general, I think it is a good habit to cultivate.
To take this idea one step further, within business circles it is often advised to keep a page or spreadsheet with some information on people you want to meet and follow up with. Then, whenever you come across some information that you think could be beneficial to someone, you can simply send it to them. Personally, during my PhD, I did not really have to do this, as my circle was much smaller. But now, as a postdoctoral researcher, I notice that these little habits are actually beneficial, as you end up with a much wider circle of collaborators and people you have met along the way.
Again, I would advise against being too calculating about it. Instead, just try to think, after every interaction: Is there something small I can do for this person here? And if there is, act on that impulse immediately.
📜 Something to read
📜 Article - Networking on the Network - Hands down, probably the best article written on networking for researchers. I wish I had written it myself, but as it is already written, I will just recommend it to you. In general, the author gives advice on how to identify relevant people, prepare for conferences by attending their talks, approach speakers afterwards and ask genuine questions, and finally, how to consider the publishing process as a form of networking as well. It is a long read, but if you are going to a conference soon, I would definitely give it a scan. Hopefully, some fruitful collaborations will follow from it.