A late-stage PhD student asks—

In theory, I feel like the quality of my work should get me where I want to go. Networking has always felt gross, but I recognize that it is just valuable for people to know what I am capable of and to know I exist. How did you get over the gross feeling?

For me, the most significant reframing happened from the other side of the table- when I started being involved in hiring other staff, I realized how helpful it was for me (as the hiring manager) to have some previous knowledge and exposure to different people. Even people who I didn’t end up interviewing or hiring provided a ton of context for what I was looking for. This helps reframe the networking as a contribution you are offering to the other person, not just a yucky asking to get ‘something for nothing.’ When I learn about your skills and accomplishments directly from you, I can trust and evaluate it much better than just reading the short version on a piece of paper. Also, it’s fun to learn about the cool things you’re doing!

In general, the things I’ve found most important in building a team where everyone is comfortable and productive are less about who has the most significant accomplishments on some objective measure and more about a match in how we communicate and general work-style preferences. It’s not just about finding someone who can technically do the job, it’s finding someone who can do it in the context of the team you actually have, and who will be happy enough doing it that they don’t immediately leave!

-David Blancha, Assistant Director, Career Development Team for Researchers