Let’s be honest, networking can often feel like a chore. Some people attend events, charming partners and potential clients like it is second nature and they were born to do it. Then there are others (me included) who wonder how soon they can leave an event without looking rude.
The truth is that some people are just naturally better at networking. They thrive on small talk, read social cues with ease, and collect lots of useful contacts. Whether you love it or hate it though, networking is a necessary part of a legal career. Law is about being visible and relationships drive career opportunities, referrals, and promotions.
In this article, BARBRI's Careers & Employability Manager Steph Day gives her top tips on networking.
1. Stop Thinking of it as “Networking”
Reframe it! Think of it as just building relationships or having professional conversations. You are simply getting to know people who might cross paths with you again.
2. Ask Questions, Don’t Just Sell
No-one wants to hear a clichéd sales pitch. Show genuine curiosity about the other person, what they do, what interests them, what they are currently working on. Ask questions that invite stories, not one-word answers. Remember it’s a two-way conversation and should feel natural.
3. Prepare a Few Talking Points
You don’t need a script but having a few topics ready helps – recent cases in your field, a legal development, or even the event you are attending itself. (This is where brushing up on your commercial awareness is important.)
4. Listen More!
Most people don’t really listen; they just wait for their turn to speak. Listening properly makes you stand out instantly. It’s surprisingly rare and genuinely memorable when people do it. People love hearing their name used naturally in conversation too. It shows attention and makes the exchange feel personal.
5. Follow Up
If you promise to make an introduction, send information or make a date to grab coffee, do it within a day or two when you are fresh in their mind. Build a reputation for being reliable – making a good impression from the start is imperative.
6. Don’t Only Talk to People You Already Know
It is very easy to stick with familiar faces, especially at networking events. It feels safe and less overwhelming, but that defeats the purpose. Aim for a mix of reconnecting with people and meeting new.
7. Quality over Quantity
Collecting 20 QR codes on LinkedIn at an event means nothing if you never speak to those people again. Think about making meaningful connections that could have a true impact.
8. Be Yourself, Just Your Professional Self!
You don’t need to become someone else to be good at networking. Authenticity builds trust. You can be professional without being too formal, and friendly without being overly casual.
9. Keep Showing Up
Networking is not a one-off event. The more consistently you attend industry events and similar opportunities, the more people start recognising you… and the easier it becomes!
10. Think LinkedIn
LinkedIn is such a power platform for showcasing your personal brand and networking with like-minded individuals in your profession. Ensure you post with purpose and comment thoughtfully on other people’s contributions. Keep your profile current and make sure you nurture connections effectively.
Final Thought
Treat networking like any other skill: prepare, practise and keep improving. Over time, it stops feeling like “networking” and starts feeling like what it really is, which is building genuine professional relationships. And if nothing else, there is usually a free drink and a few decent nibbles there to make it worthwhile!
For more legal career advice, register for Headstart, your free version of our CareerHub, click here: https://barbri.targetconnect.net/unauth/440026/login
Find out more about our employability support: https://www.barbri.com/sqe/employability-support
Want to learn about the types of career within the legal sector to start in?: https://www.barbri.com/resources/top-10-tips-for-career-changers-breaking-into-law
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