Is Networking Still Worth It?

Networking is one of those topics that everyone in the HR and People sector has an opinion on. Some love it, some dread it, and most of us have sat through an event wondering if a good chat over a coffee would have had more value. I wanted to share some honest thoughts on what actually makes networking worthwhile, and what might just be going through the motions.

Is networking still worth it?

I’ve worked in recruitment for many years, much of them spent working closely with HR professionals, and I’ve probably attended hundreds of events in that time. If you work in a People function, chances are you’re also a fan of networking in its many forms. People teams are based around, well, people, and networking events are a great way to grow your circle with relevant connections.

Recently though, I’ve noticed we’re seeing less in-person events and more online webinars; I probably get invited to 2 or 3 webinars a week these days! I also see similar subjects coming up again and again. It can feel a little overwhelming trying to decide which events to go to sometimes, and to know whether you’re going to get something of value out of an event – is it worth the monetary cost and the time investment?

And that’s the question that comes up when I talk to my clients about networking: is it worth it? What are you getting out of it? Networking can do a lot for your career; it can open doors, help you find a mentor or a sounding board, and build a network you might rely on further down the line. But it can also sometimes feel like a chore and can become quite repetitive. I’ve had more than one client comment on the lack of variety in HR events they see being advertised.

Why does networking feel repetitive?

If you go to enough HR events, you might notice a pattern. The topics tend to repeat: wellbeing, employment law, AI, the future of work. You’ll see different speakers and different branding, but the content of these events doesn’t tend to change. You leave with a goody bag and a few new LinkedIn connection requests, but also the feeling that the takeaways you have are the same ones you had after the last one.

This is not to criticise the people organising these events. Most of them are doing genuinely solid work with limited budget, and a finite pool of willing speakers. But it does raise the question: what are we getting out of attending? Are we going because it’s useful, or because it’s expected?

The benefits of networking for HR professionals

None of this means networking is a waste of time. There's a real case for it.

• It builds genuine relationships. The best networking rarely happens in the main session. It happens in the queue for coffee, the post-discussion drinks and in the group chat that outlives the event itself.
• It's a reality check. Talking to people outside your own business is one of the few ways to find out whether what you're dealing with is typical for your industry.
• It opens doors. Jobs, mentors, sounding boards, collaborators. A surprising amount of HR careers move through relationships built at events.
• It combats isolation. HR can be a lonely job, particularly in smaller teams where you're the only person doing what you do. Being in a room with people who get it has real value.

A recruiter's experience of networking

As I mentioned above, I’ve attended a lot of networking events, but I’ve also run many of them. I’ve run business breakfasts, HR dinners and webinars over the years, and everyone takes something different from it. Some people just want to sit and listen to the subject matter; others want an interactive environment where they can contribute and share their stories and maybe find some common ground with their peers.

I personally found the most value in smaller events I ran that felt more like a group of professionals sitting down to dig into some of their HR struggles, rather than speaker-led events or presentation-based webinars. And my clients would echo this: they valued the chance to meet other People professionals and to have a network to lean on – sharing expertise definitely makes you feel less alone.

Even though I’m a recruiter, I see myself as quite ‘old school’ – I attend networking events to keep on top of the People sector and stay up to date, and to meet people in the sector – it’s not a chance for a sales pitch for me, but this isn’t always the way it’s perceived. How do you feel about there being a recruiter in the room? Does it feel like there might be a hidden agenda?

A different way to think about it

I think rather than asking "is networking worth it" as a blanket question, perhaps it’s worth asking: worth it for what?

I’ve outlined the value a lot of my network have found from attending network events. If you’re looking for fresh ideas, a big event with lots of speakers might genuinely help. If you’re after a sounding board for support, a smaller, consistent group of people will do far more for you than another one-off conference.

It’s also sometimes worth seeking out people who do something different to you: from different sectors and sizes of business. They have different challenges, or sometimes, exactly the same ones, but they approach them in a different way, and can give you a new perspective.

Networking isn't broken. But going through the motions and attending the same events without asking what you actually want or need from it, probably is. If you think you'd get more value from smaller gatherings, or individual meetups over lunch, give this approach a try - reach out directly to people in your network already and ask the question - you'll be surprised who's up for it. 

And if you want a recruiter to grab a coffee with, drop me a line!

Sue Wallis is Joint Managing Director of Sewell Wallis, overseeing the business alongside personally recruiting senior HR and executive professionals across the Yorkshire market. With a career in recruitment spanning more than 30 years, beginning in London and rooted in Yorkshire for decades since, she brings rare depth of experience to both the hires she makes and the business she leads. Known for her straightforward approach and the long-standing client relationships she has built over the years, Sue is a trusted advisor to businesses navigating senior and leadership appointments across the region. You can contact her here.