What do you do if you're networking with colleagues who are more experienced than you?
Networking with colleagues who are more experienced than you can be a great opportunity to learn new skills, gain insights, and build professional relationships. However, it can also be intimidating, challenging, and stressful if you don't know how to approach it. In this article, you'll discover some practical tips on how to network with confidence, curiosity, and respect when you're interacting with more senior colleagues.
Before you attend a networking event, do some research on the people you want to connect with. Find out their names, roles, backgrounds, interests, and achievements. This will help you tailor your introduction, ask relevant questions, and show genuine interest in them. You can also prepare some topics or stories that showcase your skills, values, and goals, without sounding boastful or arrogant. Having a clear idea of what you want to say and learn will make you feel more confident and less nervous.
-
Raquel Ruiz Espinosa
Marketing and Communication
Lo mejor que te puede ocurrir en tu vida profesional si quieres conseguir ser mejor cada día es trabajar con compañeros que sean mejor que tú. En mi caso, lo tengo claro. Adoptaría el método esponja: "Aprender al máximo de los compañeros con los que trabajas y de los que te rodeas". Puedes ser la persona con más suerte del mundo si tu entorno laboral está lleno de buenos profesionales. Por otro lado, soy de las persona que piensa que tu experiencia profesional es un mix entre: formación, tu carrera profesional en distintas empresas y lo que puedes aprender de tus compañeros de trabajo". Recomendaciones: sé tú mismo, sé curioso, sé proactivo y agradecido con todos los que te puedan sumar y aportar.
-
Dhimanshu Jain
Building a Better India starting from Pulp 🌏| CA | Harvard | Ex-KPMG | India’s 100 under 40
Networking issue or communication gap might come while iteracting with different age groups. You respect people for their Age, you admire them for their Wisdom.
-
Saad Sheikh
Business Analyst | Data Analysis | Process Improvement | Business Development Strategist | Former WordPress/Shopify Expert | Former Team Lead | Salesforce Lightning Expert
If I am networking with colleagues more experienced than me, I will approach with humility and eagerness to learn. Listen actively to their insights, ask thoughtful questions, and share my own goals and interests. Offer value through my unique perspective and skills, and express gratitude for their time and mentorship.
-
ᴱⁿᵍʳ ᴬᵇᵈᵘˡˡᵃʰ ᴹᵘᵐᵗᵃᶻ
Operation & Maintenance Engineer | Site Electrical Engineer | Register Engineering-Technologist (National Technology Council)
When networking with more experienced colleague, it's best to actively listen, analyze, and ask insightful questions to demonstrate genuine interest in learning from their experiences. Making it easy for them to share their experiences and participating in the discussion with constructive input can foster positive and mutually beneficial relationships, leading to valuable opportunities for growth and advancement.
-
Muhammad Imran Uddin
Audit & Risk Management Expert
When networking with more experienced colleagues, be genuine, attentive, and respectful. Listen actively, ask thoughtful questions, and seek mentorship if appropriate. Show appreciation for their insights and offer value where you can. Follow up after interactions and build relationships over time. Be mindful of their time and open to feedback. Approach networking as an opportunity for learning and growth in your career.
When you're networking with more experienced colleagues, you need to show respect for their time, expertise, and position. Don't interrupt them when they're speaking, don't argue with them or challenge their opinions, and don't ask for favors or referrals right away. Instead, listen attentively, acknowledge their points, and express appreciation for their advice or feedback. You can also ask for permission to follow up with them or keep in touch with them, and make sure you do so in a timely and courteous manner.
-
Rahman Rahadian (Oky)
MOVING YOUR WORLD | Vice President Sales & Marketing at PT. FUCHS Lubricants Indonesia
Use 3L : Listen, Learn, Leverage. LISTEN to their experiences, for this time being keep all of the curiousities inside. LEARN from them by elaborating the details, expanding the subjects, and exchange the ideas / get their views. Bear in mind that we don’t need to 100% agree or follow the feedback or the thought. The aim is to get a different perspective based on their experience. Time, culture, situation, challenge might be different. LEVERAGE the output of the discussion to improve the idea / strategy refers to the actual subject.
-
Taufik Patel
Helping IT companies to manage their business with Sangam CRM
Networking, we don't just speak from our side, we are more powerful for listening to their problems, about of their business based on that pitch our start conversation that helps more powerful relationship and powerful conversation.
-
ALEXANDRE B.
"A escrita é a ponte que conecta o coração do autor ao do leitor." Administrador, Logística, Especialista em Comunicação, Social Mídia, Copyright.
Ao fazer networking com colegas mais experientes, é crucial mostrar respeito por seu tempo, experiência e posição. Ouça atentamente, evite interromper, discutir ou pedir favores imediatamente. Reconheça seus pontos, expresse apreço por seus conselhos e peça permissão para manter contato. Certifique-se de fazê-lo de forma cortês e oportuna.
-
Siddhartha Taya
Unstoppable Mindset Coach | I help Founders and CEOs overcome their stress & trauma and Realign with their purpose | Mountaineer | Author | Black Belt | Building @Supersonic Success Academy
I feel biggest mistake people make is: - Interrupting the speaker - Breaking their flow is a sin - Asking meaningless questions - Giving your own expertise view point (not required) - These all things will undermine you immediately and the prominent person will remember you for all the wrong reasons.
-
Ullas Pradhan
INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR, AESTHETIK ENGINEERS LTD, International Award Winner, Talks about Motivation & Creating High Performance Teams. Co-Founder, DPIIT, Govt. Of India recognised Start Up.
As we move along the professional journey , we are bound to meet colleagues , who are exceptionally talented, more qualified and more experienced. Well, its a great opportunity to grow oneself by interacting tactfully, respectfully and being highly appreciative of their views & opinions. One of the best ways, I discovered of making them valued is by asking their opinion on various issues & matters , before you take a decision. Always respect their time & ask permission before asking or giving your opinion. Finally , appreciate and thank them for their time and help and never ever forget to mention ,how useful & helpful their views were. Never forget to wish and greet them on their special personal as well as professional milestones!
One of the best ways to network with more experienced colleagues is to be curious about them and their work. Ask open-ended questions that invite them to share their insights, experiences, or stories. For example, you can ask them how they got started in their field, what challenges they faced, what they enjoy most about their work, or what they're working on currently. You can also ask them for recommendations on resources, books, podcasts, or courses that can help you improve your skills or knowledge. By being curious, you show that you value their expertise and that you're eager to learn from them.
-
Shawn C. Richards
Associate Manager, Customer Loyalty and Retention
One of the best ways to network with more experienced colleagues is to be curious. A great way to break the ice is to be curious about the scope of their work. This puts them in the driver’s seat, while allowing the less experienced colleague to better understand their function. Curiosity can also include asking open ended questions about past challenges, recommendations for success, and other pro tips as these foster robust dialogue while networking. Curiosity must be measured and respectful and should not be too invasive/ personal to cause unease.
-
Juarez Bandeira
Sempre busco ser curioso com pessoas mais experientes, pois acredito que seja uma excelente forma de aprender e crescer. Fazer perguntas objetivas e ouvir atentamente suas experiências, assim podemos adquirir sabedoria e insights valiosos que podem ajudarmos em nossa jornada. Aproveito ao máximo a oportunidade de aprender com a experiência dos outros e mantenho minha mente aberta para novas perspectivas.
-
Alejandra Montero Poblete
Linkedin Top Voice 2023 Gender Equity | Country Chair Equity & Equality G100 | DIVERSITY - EQUITY - INCLUSION
This is something that many people confuse with being very nosy. Curiosity is what makes us learn, move forward and innovate and what better than having people around us who can guide us and teach us what they have already experienced. ask, listen and learn, always with respect
-
Natasha Bueno
Agile Methodologies | Project Manager | Certificated Scrum Master | Kanban Coach
Working with more experienced colleagues can be a shorter path to learning. I believe that with curiosity and humility, a coach and apprentice relationship can be built between the parties. Knowledge management between the parties should be done for professional growth, people and project development.
-
Siddhartha Taya
Unstoppable Mindset Coach | I help Founders and CEOs overcome their stress & trauma and Realign with their purpose | Mountaineer | Author | Black Belt | Building @Supersonic Success Academy
Ask them - Life lessons - Tips for beginners - Ask them best stories - Their biggest achievements they are proud of - The biggest challenge and struggles they faced - Why did they begin and what keeps them motivated - Ask from your heart - Show genuine interest (They will love to answer it)
While it's important to be professional and respectful when you're networking with more experienced colleagues, you don't have to pretend to be someone you're not. Be authentic and genuine, and share your personality, passions, and opinions. You don't have to agree with everything they say or do, or try to impress them with jargon or buzzwords. Instead, be honest and humble, and show your enthusiasm and motivation. You'll be more likely to build rapport and trust with them if you're yourself.
-
Charles Muthui
Challenging the status quo of team building, employee engagement & management retreats
Be authentic in your presentation and communication. Be vulnerable to admit where you've failed and the lessons you learnt. Be easy and calm without having to cram a catchy introduction. Better be relevant than to be perfect.
-
Arooj Waqar
Business Communication & Well-Being Coach
YOU are a limited edition. Embracing yourself means working on your weaknesses and being confident in your strengths. This amplifies your positivity and makes you genuine. Experienced colleagues can tell when you're pretending or being yourself. So, when you're curious, show that you have a personal development approach. Humbly seeking clarification and respectfully engaging in conversations will lead to long-term collaboration. Remember, what you give is what you get. So, give your best self and watch the world respond in kind.
-
Ravinder Kumar
Platform Engineering | Cybersecurity | CI/CD | DevSecOps | Engineering Shared Services | Cloud-as-a-Service | Advisor | Board Member
Doing some early research can always help so you can engage at the right level and build rapport. Some practical tips - - Mention what you appreciate about them as a person and as a professional and why (this can be as simple as you are learning about something new and finding it interesting or overwhelming but they are good at that). - Have a quick and honest story (intro) about yourself rehearsed. - Ask what might be their top 2 challenges that they need to see addressed. - Ask if they are open for mentoring you in specific area or share some tips/wisdom. - Leave them with something to remember you! Ask how you can stay in touch and why.
-
ALEXANDRE B.
"A escrita é a ponte que conecta o coração do autor ao do leitor." Administrador, Logística, Especialista em Comunicação, Social Mídia, Copyright.
Quando fazendo networking com colegas mais experientes, seja autêntico e genuíno, compartilhando sua personalidade e opiniões. Não precisa concordar com tudo ou impressioná-los com jargões. Seja honesto, humilde e mostre seu entusiasmo. Construirá relacionamentos e confiança sendo você mesmo.
-
Felix Antonio Gonzàlez Moran
Coordinador Visual merchandising, Atención al cliente y ventas. ESTIVANELI
Ser una persona genuina y humilde no tener ningún problema en escuchar y Prender de sus experiencias y verlo como un aprendisaje un soporte o retroalimentacion que puede ser oportuno en un futuro. No es competencia es empoderamiento profesional y significativo. Sacquemosle provecho. Veamos el lado positivo.
Networking is not a one-way street. It's not only about what you can get from more experienced colleagues, but also about what you can offer them. You can be supportive by giving them compliments, feedback, or recognition for their work or achievements. You can also share your ideas, insights, or perspectives that might be helpful or interesting to them. You can also offer your assistance, collaboration, or referrals if they need them. By being supportive, you show that you're a valuable and generous contact, and that you're not just looking for a mentor or a sponsor.
-
CHRP Irene Muchunu CHRM (MIHRM, MSHRM)
Human Resource (HR) Expert 🟦 Recruitment and Selection 🟦 Onboarding 🟦 Performance Management 🟦 Labor Law Compliance 🟦 Mentor 🟦 Life & Career Coach 🟦 Certified Trainer 🟦 ICF Professional Coach
One thing I have found helpful is active listening, showing interest their experience in a respectful way. Be authentic in your interactions, don't be intimidated but seek to learn and gain as much as you can from their experience.
-
John Joseph
rPet Project Manager at Mohinani Group
Networking is not a one-way street. It's not only about what you can get from more experienced colleagues, but also about what you can offer them. You can be supportive by giving them compliments, feedback, or recognition for their work or achievements. You can also share your ideas, insights, or perspectives that might be helpful or interesting to them. You can also offer your assistance, collaboration, or referrals if they need them. By being supportive, you show that you're a valuable and generous contact, and that you're not just looking for a mentor or a sponsor.
-
Lisandro Siqueira
Médico Ocupacional
Aquí es importante pensar antes de cortar o negar una opinión vertida, considere que si otros opinaron algo lo hicieron por alguna experiencia que es importante considerar según algún acontecimiento vivido.
Networking with more experienced colleagues doesn't end after the event. You need to be proactive and follow up with them to maintain and strengthen the relationship. You can send them a thank-you note, a relevant article, or a useful resource that relates to your conversation. You can also invite them to another event, a coffee chat, or a virtual meeting where you can continue the discussion or ask for more guidance. You can also update them on your progress, achievements, or challenges, and ask for their feedback or advice. By being proactive, you show that you're committed and interested in learning from them and growing with them.
-
ALEXANDRE B.
"A escrita é a ponte que conecta o coração do autor ao do leitor." Administrador, Logística, Especialista em Comunicação, Social Mídia, Copyright.
Ao fazer networking com colegas mais experientes, seja autêntico, compartilhe sua personalidade e opiniões sem precisar concordar com tudo ou impressionar com jargões. Seja honesto, humilde e mostre entusiasmo. Construirá relacionamentos e confiança sendo você mesmo.
-
Hamza Qazi
From Blockchain to AI Automation: A Journey of Innovation & Impact | Pioneering AI Automations, Virtual Agents & Ethical AI Solutions | Blockchain & Tokenized Real Estate Innovator | Bitcoin Trailblazer
Coming from a blockchain and Crypto trading world to the innovative field of AI was no small feat. Not having a traditional tech background or coding experience, the shift towards AI and Automations not only demanded curiosity but also staunch resilience. My eagerness to learn and no fear of failure is what i used as a stepping stone to propel my journey. Every experience became a lesson and every challenge a new chance to level up. Entering into the AI space I cherished every interaction and found inspiration and education through everyone i met. Implementing the techniques from a vast variety of business I was able to overcome any hurdles and launch my own AI Automation and Virtual AI Agent business. Be humble at all times.
-
Swastika Saxena
FIS || ExTCSer || PGPM from IMT Ghaziabad upGrad and Liverpool John Moores University, UK || Business Analytics || Scrum Master
The best thing of being a part of such a team where everyone is senior then you is the amount of growth and learning you can gain from them. Not only specific to your role but in terms of professionalism as a whole. The do's and don'ts, all will be known to you by watching them, interacting with them. Eventually you will become well prepared for your future in work and life in general too. The small practices of having work boundaries, ethics, the way to express oneself in a polite yet firm manner, etc. all these things aren't something one can learn from tutorials but actually being a part of such an arrangement, and working with seniors gives the best one !
-
Surender Poudala
Zonal Head @ Inera | Agriculture Sales l Marketing I Farm Mechanization l Agriculture Tech
Professional Etiquette, Be mindful of professional etiquette, including punctuality, active listening, and expressing gratitude for their time and insights.
-
Siddharth Malik
Dy General Manager (Max Fashion) - Lifestyle International | Ex ABFRL (Madura Garments) and Spencer’s Retail
Keep in mind the essence of networking: it's not about showcasing your own value or expertise, but rather about embracing the opportunity to gain knowledge and insights from others. Practice active listening, engage in meaningful dialogue by asking insightful questions, contribute by sharing your own experiences, show appreciation by acknowledging others contributions, express gratitude, and be open to revisiting and further exploring the connections made.
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
Business NetworkingWhat are the most important things to keep in mind when networking with junior colleagues?
-
IT StrategyHow can you build a diverse professional network?
-
Research and Development (R&D)What are the best ways to network with R&D professionals as an introvert?
-
NetworkingHow do you genuinely network without pretending?