For many people, the phrase “getting a job through connections” carries an unequivocally negative connotation. It is commonly associated with unethical shortcuts, bypassing formal recruitment paths or even violating established norms. Such an interpretation is misleading, however, as it refers to market pathologies such as cronyism or favoritism toward relatives. In those cases, blood ties or social arrangements determine who fills a vacancy, while actual skills and expertise take a back seat.
Properly defined networking is a process spread over time, aimed at nurturing interpersonal relationships based on mutual trust, respect and a willingness to help. It is not about mechanically collecting business cards or inflating follower counts on social media profiles. The essence lies in creating a professional environment in which authenticity and reciprocity prevail. That is why an effective networker does not initiate conversations by calculating immediate gains. Instead, they look for ways to offer support, solve someone else’s problem or share valuable knowledge.
Reliable networking requires initiative, regularity and genuine engagement – it can be treated as a long-term investment in social capital. Opportunities to build relationships are plentiful: industry conferences, job fairs and even casual chats by the coffee machine work perfectly well. Joint project initiatives and substantive discussions on online forums are equally important. Over the years, this intricate structure evolves into a system for exchanging experiences, becomes a repository of inspiration and market trends, and facilitates the formation of business partnerships. Building a reputation and recognition within a group of experts means that when an interesting recruitment opportunity arises, our name automatically comes to decision-makers’ minds.
University walls create a multidimensional and heterogeneous space that almost automatically drives the process of building networks at various levels. In this specific melting pot, the paths of future directors, emerging experts, creative visionaries and recognized academic authorities intersect. The university functions like a faithful mirror of future business realities – even a single relationship formed during this time can influence later professional paths and yield unexpected results. The connections established then can be grouped into distinct types, each characterized by a different nature and bringing a different set of benefits to our professional lives.
People encountered in lecture halls, during activities in student research clubs or while studying for exams are far more than just educational companions. Soon enough, these same students will take up managerial positions, become recognized specialists or start their own businesses. Once they graduate, their paths will diverge to different cities or even countries, naturally creating a wide web of professional connections.
Friendships forged while tackling academic challenges side by side are exceptionally strong. A former groupmate may whisper about a vacancy in their team, a project colleague may prove to be a co-founder in a startup, and another acquaintance may provide expert consultation. Taking care of these relationships – even in the virtual sphere – opens doors to information unavailable to outsiders and offers insight into the hidden job market.
Lecturers are often not only theoreticians but, above all, experts with significant achievements and extensive influence in the private sector, academia and public institutions. These individuals skillfully combine university teaching with the hard realities of the market, and their professional networks have been built over decades. Establishing a relationship with a lecturer or thesis supervisor based on substance and mutual respect allows access to spheres that remain out of reach for anonymous applicants.
When a student shows initiative, delves into complex issues and demonstrates genuine interest in a subject, they gain a reputation in the eyes of the academic as a reliable and ambitious individual. Such an attitude may result in mentoring support, professional guidance on career development or a recommendation that clearly distinguishes application documents from competing submissions. Companies often ask professors themselves to point out the most promising talents leaving university walls. Being included in this group means that a graduate’s personal details land directly in the hands of decision-makers – an extremely effective way to establish a presence in a chosen specialization.
Participation in initiatives under the Erasmus+ program brings benefits that extend far beyond the timeframe of the mobility itself. Returning home rarely marks the end of the adventure, as the relationships formed abroad are characterized by impressive longevity. Functioning in a new environment forces one to abandon routine and encourages interaction with people of different mentalities or academic backgrounds. Whether we are talking about local residents or fellow students from other corners of the world, these friendships often last longer than a single semester and pay off for years.
In an era of progressing economic globalization, having allies across different latitudes is a powerful asset. A former scholarship companion can point to a reliable employer, share knowledge unavailable in official reports or support the process of acclimatization. When the prospect of an international career appears on the horizon, the presence of a trusted person in the destination country eliminates many fears. As a result, starting out in an unfamiliar environment does not resemble building everything from scratch. Additionally, time spent abroad sharpens language skills and flexibility – qualities that recruiters in international corporations are actively seeking.
Relationships formed during education bear fruit across various fields of professional activity, often at completely unexpected moments. A major advantage of such connections is access to the informal recruitment circuit. A significant pool of vacancies bypasses popular job portals, with information about openings spreading via word of mouth or internal referrals. Those with extensive networks learn about these opportunities well in advance of other candidates. A good word whispered by a former mentor or classmate works more effectively than the most polished résumé, as it constitutes authentic proof of a candidate’s expertise and integrity for an employer.
Connections from the time of study also frequently blossom into bold business ventures. The stories of many innovative startups begin with collaboration on academic group projects. This environment additionally serves as a platform for the flow of ideas, enabling rapid identification of market novelties, technological innovations or ways to overcome industry challenges. Over the years, this community evolves into a secure base that provides support during turning points or when planning a complete professional reorientation after a long tenure.
Effective networking is not limited to being present in the right places; it requires adopting a certain attitude. Lasting relationships are built on sincerity and mutual involvement in another person’s affairs. Instead of calculating potential gains, it is better to take initiative: offer advice, share experience or simply remember to maintain contact. Such an altruistic approach pays off, as people are more willing to reciprocate kindness, remember us and mention our name when favorable circumstances arise. Only then does it become a starting point for further steps.
Physical and virtual presence remains an indispensable component of success. Traditional methods – including debates during lectures, cooperation in project teams, workshops or meetings with industry representatives – still perform their role perfectly. At the same time, the weight of activity is shifting toward the digital sphere. Webinars, online job fairs and communities gathered on platforms such as Slack or Discord make it possible to engage in dialogue with people beyond our faculty, city or even national borders.
The success of these activities is often determined by image. In direct contact, attire and personal culture matter, while online the technical setup plays a leading role. A tidy space, proper lighting, comfortable and ergonomic office chairs, along with a well-set frame and impeccable sound quality, build the image of a professional. This makes it easier for interlocutors to focus on the content of the message. Relationships formed in this way mature slowly. There is no need to shine on every platform or know everyone – far more important are consistency, responsiveness to signals from the environment and continuing the conversation after the first meeting.
Building business relationships requires patience, whereas destroying a hard-earned position often takes only seconds. We often sabotage our own chances for future cooperation, even without bad intentions, simply due to a lack of tact. The list of mistakes that most quickly undermine efforts to build relationships includes several common behaviors:
● Passivity and waiting for the other side to make the first move. Social capital does not arise on its own. When we avoid interaction or wait for someone else to approach us, the best opportunities pass us by. Those who show initiative, ask questions and propose joint actions are remembered, not observers standing against the wall.
● Burning bridges after leaving university walls. Many graduates treat receiving a diploma as the end of academic friendships, whereas this moment should open a new chapter. Many promising connections fade away because no one nurtures even a symbolic bond. Such an approach wastes the effort invested in building a network over years of study.
● Self-interest and treating people instrumentally. Reaching out only in times of need sends a message that recipients decode instantly. It is difficult to speak of goodwill when interaction serves solely to resolve a private matter. The environment clearly registers who remembers acquaintances only when asking for favors.
Instead of allowing connections to fade into oblivion, it is better to make one’s presence known in a subtle way. A small gesture, a brief message in a communicator or an invitation to connect is enough. Platforms such as LinkedIn allow us to follow the career paths of colleagues on an ongoing basis, while alumni forums create natural opportunities to renew relationships without awkwardness. Sometimes a single sentence sent once every few months keeps the thread of understanding strong and eliminates the need for laborious rebuilding in the future.
The decision to develop social capital while still within university walls is a move with enormous potential for the future. The academic environment creates a unique ecosystem for forming genuine relationships with peers, research supervisors and specialists representing various sectors of the economy. If these connections are based on mutual commitment and maintained even through small gestures, they yield tangible results over time. Often, they pay off much faster than any formal recruitment announcement appears on the open market.
Networking does not have to be associated with being pushy or with a cynical game of interests. It can successfully stem from genuine curiosity about the world, a readiness for dialogue and simple goodwill toward others. More than once, long-term cooperation sprouts from a casual exchange of remarks in a corridor after class, joint work on a paper, congratulations after a successful exam session or selfless sharing of study materials. These seemingly minor interactions cause loose contacts to evolve into a lasting system of professional support. The entire process then unfolds naturally, without falseness or unnecessary tension, and becomes invaluable assistance at subsequent stages of a career.
Sources:
● Kupmeble.pl – online furniture store
● Unemployment statistics and beyond – Eurostat
● Networking and job search – Zielona Linia report
● Getting a job through connections? Why not? – EPALE
● The role of networking in job search – Trends in the labor market – Zielona Linia
● What is Erasmus+? – program information
Author: Joanna Ważny
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tel. +48 22 45 72 300
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