Something that comes up quite frequently amongst those considering a career shift, returning from a professional break, or simply feeling behind in their industry is the following question: Is there a point where it becomes too late to start networking?
In short, no, not really. But that isn't to say that it'll necessarily be easy - here're a few things it's worth keeping in mind.
Start As Soon As Possible
After a certain amount of experience, networking becomes a habit. When you haven’t been doing it, on the other hand, it’s easy to assume everyone else is miles ahead - already connected and part of some kind of inner circle.
That can make the idea of getting started later in your career feel a bit overwhelming, but the reality is that most people are much too focused on what they're doing to notice a newcomer. What’s more, many attendees will be far more open to new connections than you’d expect, especially when you’re genuine about why you’re reaching out.
All Experiences Count
One of the advantages of starting later is that you often bring more to the table. Whether it’s technical knowledge or just a more grounded sense of professionalism, people will notice that you’re not really a newcomer, despite your lack of networking experience.
In fact, trying to network before you’ve developed those things can be harder. The people you meet may not know how you fit into the landscape yet - or how you can help them.
That’s not to say you need to be a seasoned expert to start, everyone has to begin somewhere. But if you’ve got experience, don’t downplay it. Use it to frame your conversations and build relevance from that very first handshake.
Get Your Networking Right
Late starters sometimes feel pressure to catch up. That can lead to casting too wide a net, going to every event, messaging every connection, and joining every platform.
Instead, think about quality over quantity. Who are the people you actually want to build a relationship with? What kinds of conversations are most useful to you right now? If you’re presenting your brand at a trade show, you can get these connections right by setting the stage carefully, using custom-made exhibition stands from providers like Focal Exhibitions.
Make sure that you’re showing up to the right events. Have a few good conversations, follow up properly, and that’s pretty much it - then repeat.
Start Slow
You probably won’t become the most connected person in the room overnight, but that’s okay - it’s not a race. Think of networking as something you build into your professional routine. A LinkedIn message once a day, and an event every few months. It all adds up very quickly.
Your initial networking attempts might feel a bit awkward and forced at first, but it’s never too late to begin. You may be surprised, and find that it’s exactly when you’re feeling the most behind that the most valuable connections start to take shape.
