How To Network and Build Professional Connections in 2026

Whether you’re entering the field or are an established professional, networking is vital for your business and career. Networking allows you to build solid professional connections that you can leverage in your field and industry. Growing these connections can also open doors and lead to unexpected opportunities that can positively impact your career and business.

​When you first start out, networking can be scary because you’re talking to strangers. If there’s a potential opportunity on the line, it can make these nerves become even worse. With practice and skill, you’ll be able to communicate clearly and present yourself professionally and authentically to others so that they can better understand the value you bring to the table.

​As a business owner, even in the early stages, networking with established leaders is important if you want to learn more about the industry your business is part of. You’ll be able to gain valuable insights and tips from more experienced people, and they may be able to directly assist you and contribute to your goals. Networking can also be a great way to build future clientele or referrals for your business.

​As an early-career professional, networking also gives you the chance to meet potential employers or be introduced to them, and to gain mentorship from established individuals with years of experience. Like with business, networking as an early or even mid or senior-level professional gives you the chance to come across and be offered new opportunities that can help you gain more experience and build upon the experience and skill set you already possess.

​In today’s digital age, many professionals turn to using different career-related sites to network professionally professional networking as a way to connect with former and current colleagues and managers, college and university alumni, seek mentorship, or connect and message potential employers by introducing themselves to recruiters and hiring managers for the first time, or following up on a job application. Many also still attend networking and career events in their city or state, or those held by their universities prior to graduating.

​The same goes for business. Many business professionals and leaders also attend in-person events or summits to meet, network, and connect with others in their industry. Business leaders, owners, and entrepreneurs, as well as emerging college graduates and career professionals, also attend digital networking events hosted by established, reputable organizations to network virtually. Virtual networking allows attendees to connect with company and organizational leaders and other attendees, while still learning more about a specific company, the positions they’re currently hiring for, how to apply for them, and more.

​Networking and knowing how to network are useful skills for building a professional career and developing professional connections. Check out the five ways below to enhance your networking skills, seek professional opportunities, and be ready for when opportunities arise.

Tip 1: Leverage Your Existing Network

It’s easy to get nervous when meeting others for the first time, even online. That’s why leveraging your existing network to connect with others can be helpful when you want to develop more professional connections. By leveraging your existing network to build new connections, you can serve as a gateway to being introduced to others and discovering new opportunities you may not have known about before.

​When connecting with former colleagues, alumni, or those in your or an adjacent field, who may have been a part of a company you’re interested in being a part of as well, you can politely and authentically request warm introductions with them, as a way to be introduced to the person you want to connect with. Warm intros can also help ease some of the nerves that may arise when meeting someone new, since an individual you already know is helping facilitate the introductory connection.

Tip 2: Attend Industry Career and Networking Events

Attending industry and career-related events is helpful in meeting and networking with new people. Many industries, such as tech, real estate, finance, and retail/e-commerce, host events where professionals at varying levels can meet and make new professional connections. These in-person events also give attendees the opportunity to discover new career or mentorship opportunities by introducing themselves and building professional rapport with others. Sometimes, at these events, attendees can also hear from thought leaders and executives in their fields who are featured on professional panels. At the same time, attendees can network with others in attendance and may even get the chance to speak with featured panelists.

Tip 3: Show Genuine Curiosity

When networking, whether virtually or in person, it’s also important to listen and show genuine curiosity when connecting with others. Meaning, that you’re showing a genuine and authentic interest in what they’re saying, whether related to their career or professional journey, when they’re giving career professional advice, and during these conversations in general. When communicating, it’s also important to positively acknowledge what the other person is sharing while sharing your own background, ideas, and insights, so that the conversation remains balanced and each individual contributes meaningfully and authentically.

​When communicating online, it’s especially important to hone in on using these acknowledgements since you’re not speaking to the other person in-person and they’re unable to gauge your facial reactions or expressions or cues compared to communicating in-person. By showing genuine curiosity about what you’ve learned, you can also express yourself more positively overall and have a positive, memorable impact on how you’re viewed by others when communicating.

Tip 4: Prepare Your Elevator Pitch

When opportunities come about, it’s important to be ready. Crafting an elevator pitch before introducing yourself to others, whether in person or online, helps you to present yourself genuinely and authentically, while also showcasing the value you bring to the table as a career or business professional. Using a strong elevator pitch can also help you stand out and be remembered by another professional who may be meeting with various other individuals at the same time, such as at an in-person networking event.

​The right elevator pitch should include points about who you are, an outline of your career and professional journey, and what you bring to the table. Since elevator pitches are reserved for introductory conversations or meetings, it’s important to keep them to no more than two minutes so that the other person doesn’t become disengaged with what you’re saying. From there, it’s important to maintain a good and active conversation and build a natural rapport while learning from the other person.

​Ways you can practice your elevator pitch before using it live include practicing with friends and family, reciting it in the mirror while maintaining natural eye contact and cues, or asking colleagues or trusted professionals for feedback on what’s included in your elevator pitch. That way, you can become confident and have guidance on your pitch beforehand.

Tip 5: Maintain Active Communication

Life can get busy, and it’s easy to lose contact with others. In networking, it’s especially important to maintain connections so that you continue to gain and share insight with other professionals, stay open to new potential opportunities, and have a way to seek guidance and feedback during your career.

​Sending quick check-in messages and providing updates, or scheduling brief virtual meetings or in-person coffee meets, are all great ways to sustain meaningful professional connections. Through these check-ins or meetings, both parties can maintain their professional connections, gain valuable insights, and explore new opportunities.