Professional Networking in Psychology
- For psychologists, networking is essential for career growth, knowledge sharing, and staying current.
- There are three types of networks: operational, personal, and strategic, each serving a different purpose.
- Effective networking requires preparation, active listening, concise communication, and intentional follow-up after events.
Networking is a key skill in the professional world. It can help with job hunting, career development, knowledge and resource sharing, and relationship building. And the psychology field is no exception.
Artful networking is an important process for forging personal connections with colleagues and peers, whether in-person or online.
Like many academic and clinical professions, psychologists also network to stay informed about the latest developments in their field and ensure the relevance of their practice and research.
Check out our guide to networking, which offers an overview and practical information to help you develop and maintain connections.
Networking for Psychologists
Different Types of Professional Networks in Psychology
Business experts typically define three types of professional networks: operational, personal, and strategic. All three work together, but they function differently and serve different ends.
First, an operational network refers to individuals within your organization and relationships that serve immediate intra-organizational needs — essentially, your working relationships with colleagues.
Second, personal networking refers to relationships primarily outside your organization and can even be with people outside the psychology field; This is what most people picture when they think of networking.
Third, strategic networking functions as a combination of the two: making connections both within and outside your organizational network. Strategic networking might build connections that keep you abreast of widespread developments in research or organizational trends at your place of employment.
No one type of networking is better or more effective than any other, but many psychology professionals neglect strategic networking, which can negatively impact career development.
Networking Events in Psychology
Like most academic fields, psychology offers opportunities for networking through professional and academic conferences. These conferences, which take place in hotels, convention centers, and other event spaces, feature activities that encourage professional development and networking.
Typical events include lectures and seminars, where participants present research and then engage in Q&A sessions. In the past few years, online networking events have become more common. While virtual conferences do not offer the same opportunity to make in-person connections as traditional conferences, online events can be more accessible.
Job fairs and social events also provide networking opportunities. Making connections at these events might be as simple as distributing business cards or as complex as an in-depth conversation about research methods with colleagues who share similar interests.
Conferences offer wide-ranging opportunities for personal networking, but other events have unique advantages. For instance, intra-organizational events like departmental or company functions allow psychologists to engage in operational and strategic networking.
Elevator Pitches in Psychology
An elevator pitch is a concise overview of your professional self, brief enough to be recited in full during an elevator ride (typically about 30 seconds). It should introduce you, your accomplishments, and your offerings and then present a call to action.
An elevator pitch shouldn’t sound like a sales pitch. In psychology, a pitch might describe your research interests, why they matter, and how you hope to pursue them in the future.
You should prepare an elevator pitch for networking opportunities. You can rely on your elevator pitch to introduce yourself to prospective employers or organizations at conferences and career fairs.
Social Networking Sites for Psychologists
While LinkedIn reigns supreme among online networking sites, dozens of other social networks exist to help facilitate professional connections. Online social networking offers the ability to cement pre-existing connections and to link up with colleagues you might never meet in person.
Social networking offers unique opportunities to connect with investors, colleagues, and new job opportunities in a less formal environment. Search social media sites like Facebook, BlueSky, and Instagram for group pages to interact with others in psychology.
You can follow organizations like the National Institute of Mental Health or check out the American Psychological Association’s community page, which allows members to connect. Most platforms and sites are free, but some exclusive ones require a registration or subscription fee.
Tips for Networking in Psychology
While networking may seem like a skill some possess from birth, purposeful interactions can be learned and improved upon. Below, you’ll find some common and proven networking tips, along with actions you should avoid.
- 1Show Up Early to Events
Rather than showing up fashionably late, arrive early to conferences and other networking events. Early on, lighter crowds and a calmer atmosphere may create easier opportunities for conversation, and most attendees won’t have settled into groups yet.
- 2Ask Easy Questions
A simple approach is often the best opening for a conversation. An inquiry as basic as “What brings you to the conference?” enables others to talk about themselves. Listen carefully to responses and note key details, which create the opportunity for deeper connections.
- 3Keep Conversations Informal
Networking is about building relationships, not making sales pitches. Keep conversation light and friendly, and avoid detailed discussions about your research or your funding goals — at least initially. Most psychologists are more inclined to offer opportunities and assistance to those whose company they enjoy.
- 4Listen
Networking requires both talking and listening, and it’s important not to neglect one in favor of the other. You can often join in conversations simply by actively listening before offering a comment that shows you’ve been paying attention. Show you’re listening through your body language — make eye contact, nod your head, and add meaningful smiles throughout the conversation.
Networking Event “Do’s” for Psychologists
- Set Goals: If you know what you want to accomplish ahead of time, you’ll be more likely to achieve your goals and make the best use of your time. Goals for a networking event might be as simple as obtaining one new job lead or making one new friend.
- Bring Business Cards: It may seem obvious, but remember to bring plenty of business cards. Consider investing in a card case to store your cards and keep them within easy reach.
- Be Concise: You have limited time to make an impression on anyone you meet, so make the most of it. Practice describing yourself, your research, or the organization you represent in clear and concise terms.
- Keep Notes: You may become overwhelmed with the number of people you meet and the information you gather. Whether it’s on a little notepad or in a note on your phone, keep track of who people are and what you’ve discussed for later follow-ups.
- Follow up on Connections: Within a few days of an event, follow up with contacts you made (most likely through email). Personalize each message so the recipient knows you remember your conversation, and suggest follow-up ideas that can cement your connection.
Networking Event “Don’ts” for Psychologists
- Distribute Paper Copies of Your Resume: Avoid passing out paper resumes or brochures at networking events unless explicitly asked. Instead, stick to business cards that fit easily into a pocket.
- Be Unintentional: Don’t toss out business cards to anyone you pass. Be selective, and only hand out a card once you’ve built a rapport with another attendee.
- Interrupt/Talk over Others: Active, patient communication is one of the best strategies for networking. Even if you have a relevant point, let another speaker finish his or her thoughts before sharing yours.
- Be Intimidated: Networking events often host some of the best and brightest, but even the most successful psychologists are human. Rather than being intimidated, focus on what you can learn from these individuals, many of whom are eager to share their knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Networking in psychology is the process of connecting with people and organizations within the psychology field. Whether job hunting or expanding your resources, networking allows you to further your career and deepen your knowledge while building relationships with others in the field.
