Network like a pro – how to be part of a working community!
It’s no secret that a strong network opens doors for professional opportunities. How do you build one and stay engaged? We’ve compiled some great advice to help you connect!
Whether you’re a student or a young professional, there are many ways to meet new people and grow your professional network. From simply asking a question, to chatting during conferences or seminars, to welcoming visitors in the lab, to joining an association, or online with social media, there is something to fit every personality.
What’s my strategy?
A good question to ask yourself is “What kind of networker am I” ? The ASTEE association has produced a fantastic resource, the ‘Young Professional’s Guide’. You can try a fun test (pages 10-15) to find out your profile : ‘cautious digital’, ‘serial selective’ or ‘scattered social’ – with specific advice for each profile! We also highly recommend you check out the testimonials by several professionals who each share their approaches (pages 88-129).
- Cautious digital profile: Your professional network is small but trustworthy and supportive. You can achieve your goals more easily by developing your social approach. Try reaching out to someone you don’t know and who could share their experience with you!
- Serial selective profile: You have clear goals and understand how to use social media strategically, but could gain from being more natural and open about sharing your experiences. Why not contact someone you wouldn’t initially think of to broaden your horizons?
- Scattered social profile : You have a good grasp of the social aspect of networking and actively connect with new people, but developing a more structured approach will help you reach your goals more effectively. Identify people who work in the positions you’re aiming for, for employers that you’re interested in, or who’ve mastered a specific skill set!
Defining your objectives can help you feel more prepared
Having a plan of action can improve your confidence in meeting new people in a professional setting. Ask yourself what is missing in your network – do you want more interactions relating to a specific position, a scientific/industrial field, a company, a geographical area, a particular expertise or technique? What questions do you want to ask, what information do you need / can you give in return?
Some ideas for next steps
1. Identify relevant communities: associations, professional organisations, or thematic working groups
2. Practice introducing yourself concisely
3. Ask questions and engage during physical & virtual events or webinars
4. Check out your indirect contacts on Linkedin or other media, ask for an informational meeting or arrange to grab coffee at an event
5. Make sure you have a way to keep in touch after meeting, you can also send a short follow-up message with the context of your exchange
Nervous about in-person networking?
Remember that networking is the main point of events such as conferences, everyone present has “signed a silent agreement” to interact with others. There is nothing unusual about walking up to a stranger and getting to know them, in fact it is expected!
How to exit a conversation gracefully? Speech coach Susie Ashfield suggests to just be honest and admit that you’ve really enjoyed the conversation but you must excuse yourself as there are a few other people you need to catch before the day ends. She recalls “it made me feel as though, ‘oh yes, they must network with the other people. But they were enjoying talking to me.’”.
Editor Lindsay Drayton has some advice for introverts:
- Take breaks if you need them. Don’t feel like you have to network every second of an event, if you need some solo time to recharge, set aside time for it!
- Start with a precise goal: which attendees do you want to meet? What topics do you want to learn more about?
- Schedule meetings ahead of time: if no one-on-one meetings are part of the event, you can arrange them yourself via email (of course, be thoughtful about who you contact). Even if they don’t have time to accept, this makes it easier for you to re-introduce yourself on site.
- Practice makes perfect: with experience, you’ll start to recognize what works for you and what doesn’t – it gets a lot easier with every event, so don’t be too hard on yourself.
Networking is a core mission of Réseau Biotechno
As Victor Kreis explains for La Gazette du Laboratoire: “Our strength lies in our ability to bring together volunteers from all levels of education (from bachelor’s to doctoral level) and from diverse professional backgrounds. We are open to all individuals involved in the life sciences, including those currently employed or retired, because we deeply believe in collective intelligence.”
Ressources
> Le Guide du Jeune Professionnel by ASTEE. You must download the guide in order to read all pages – only the even pages are displayed in the pdf viewer
> Nature Careers Podcast : Nervous networker or conference presenter ? Just care less, says speech coach Susie Ashfield
> Association Bernard Grégory : 5 steps to help you network at conferences
> Cell Mentor “An introvert’s guide to networking at conferences”. Written transcript available.
Webinar – From Research to Medical leadership – Why PhDs transform Medical Affairs?
Join us for a webinar, co-organized with Medical Axès and MEDAAX, and discover jobs at the crossroad between Science and Patient!
- Thursday 11th of June 2026 at 18h00 (CEST)
- Session held in French
- Registration open on our LinkedIn page here, don’t miss it!
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