Networking for Health Professionals: Top Tips for Success

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” We’ve all heard it right? And while skills and qualifications are always important when it comes to career advancement, the skills-sharing, connections, support and mentorship that professional networking can bring, especially early on in your career, can reap lifelong rewards. Networking in the healthcare industry is no different and it can bring a number of benefits from getting valuable advice from peers on practice techniques and approaches to patient care, to professional development opportunities and recommendations for job and career openings.

So how do you network well for success? Here are our top tips to help you get started.

Make sure it’s give and take

Networking success is a two way street that involves building professional relationships that are mutually beneficial. Whether that’s sharing professional contacts, methodologies or practice resources with a colleague or recommending someone for a new position or promotion, giving back to your network is a key part of building long-lasting professional relationships. When people in your network help you out, remember to express your appreciation, send a thank you note or ‘pay it forward’ by mentoring or knowledge-sharing with others. 

Find your networking style

When it comes to networking we all have different styles and preferences for connecting. The key to success is finding out what your personal style is rather than forcing yourself to engage in ways that feel unnatural. Some people thrive when they’re networking in large group environments like conferences, while others have more success in smaller gatherings or over one-on-one meet and greets, either online or off. To find your personal networking style, experiment with different approaches - attend a conference, reach out to colleagues to organise a coffee - see what feels best for you. Afterall, networking is meant to be enjoyable too!

Use social media 

Using social media as a tool to communicate and connect can make networking easier. It’s also a great way to find and reach out to professionals who might be further afield. Connect with others in your profession via LinkedIn, follow potential thought-leaders on Twitter or join a Facebook group for health professionals like you in your region. You could even start a What’s App group for staff at your workplace to connect and share information, or use it to organise lunch-box skills-sharing sessions with your colleagues.

Join professional bodies

Join peak bodies and professional associations for your industry, such as Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) as well as organisations that represent specific healthcare professions like nursing and midwifery or radiology. Joining professional bodies like these is a great way to connect with other health professionals at association events as well as to access valuable professional development opportunities and keep up to date with industry news and trends.

Find a professional mentor 

There’s nothing quite like having access to the expertise, connections and guidance of a professional mentor in your field.  Seeking out a more formal mentoring relationship with an experienced or specialised health professional, either within or outside of your own workplace, can be incredibly beneficial throughout your career. One day you’ll have the chance to pay it forward too by mentoring other health professionals starting out on their career journey.

Tend to your networks

Like all good relationships that stand the test of time, professional networks and connections need to be maintained and nurtured. Whether that’s through making regular posts in a Facebook group for others in your profession, reaching out to colleagues or associates you haven’t seen in a while or actively organising opportunities to connect, maintaining your network is a really important part of your career journey as a health professional.

Join the bank for health professionals today. We’re here to help you thrive.