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Table of contents

What are networking skills and why are they important?
40+ networking skills examples for your resume
How to list networking skills on your resume
How to improve your networking skills
More skills resources
Key takeaways

The average American will spend roughly 90,000 hours at work in their lifetime. Work isn’t just something we do, it’s a major facet of our lives. And the relationships we forge at work, though usually not as close or cherished as our personal relationships, are a key part of the social fabric of our lives.

The ability to build and maintain supportive networks at work and in broader professional circles is a critical skill. Your networking skills are crucial for both your career prospects and your life in general! But if you find yourself scratching your head and wondering “Just what are networking skills?” Fear not! We’ll help you understand.

What you’ll discover in this guide:

A definition of networking skills to help you grasp their importance.
Examples of networking skills you can use for your resume.
Practical tips to refine and enhance your networking skills.
Key insights to help you remember the important stuff.

Looking to showcase your networking skills on a professional resume? Try our AI Resume Builder. This tool offers tailored content suggestions and formatting tips to help you build the perfect resume quickly.

What are networking skills and why are they important?

From co-workers to colleagues to fellow professionals in your field, your network consists of the relationships you’ve built over the course of your career. This network is a resource that you use to collaborate with others, find new opportunities and uplift your professional community.

Nothing can be accomplished without great people. The connections you build are your link to meeting these great people so you can help each other succeed.

Whether you’re a recruiter whose networking skills are your bread and butter, or an entry-level worker just starting to build your network, you need to develop a range of critical skills in order to build and deepen your professional relationships.

In the next section, we’ll look at some networking skills examples that you can put into practice.

40+ networking skills examples for your resume

We’ve prepared a list of example networking skills for you to use on your resume. This list is broken down into four categories to help you understand how each skill contributes to your networking abilities.

Communication

Networking begins with communication! Your communication skills are vital to your ability to reach out to others, to understand and be understood, and to build relationships.

Sample communication skills for your resume:

Active listening
Public speaking
Nonverbal communication
Collaboration
Empathy
Persuasion
Storytelling
Constructive feedback
Clarity and concision
Interpersonal communication
Multicultural communication

Digital networking

The 21st century makes connecting with people from around the world easier than ever — but only if you know how to make the most of the tools at your disposal.

Sample digital networking skills to help you build a broader network:

Social media management
- LinkedIn
Professional blogging
Personal branding
Email etiquette
Online collaboration tools like:
Webinar hosting
Digital etiquette
Content creation
SEO basics

Relationship-building

Networking isn’t just about making connections, it’s also about turning those connections into meaningful relationships that open up professional collaborative opportunities.

Relationship-building skills to help you turn your network into a powerful resource:

Rapport building
Mentorship
Conflict resolution
Follow-up techniques
Trust building
Outreach
Cultural awareness
Client management
Team collaboration

Proactivity

Building a strong professional network takes effort and proactivity. Connections won’t just fall into your lap. You have to create a game plan and pursue connections.

Skills that help you proactively build your network:

Attending networking events
Event planning
Contact management
Initiative
Industry analysis
Alumni networking
Professional association involvement
Conference participation
Feedback analysis
Market trend analysis
Data interpretation
Problem-solving
Decision-making
Critical thinking
Negotiation

How to list networking skills on your resume

Now that you know which networking skills you have and which ones you need to hone, let’s break down how to present them effectively on your resume so your ability to build and maintain professional relationships comes through.

Step 1

Start by examining the job description

The job listing is your roadmap to customizing your resume. Search for the networking skills the employer wants in their ideal candidate — these are your keywords. Embed these essential skills from the job advertisement into your resume to demonstrate that you are the ideal fit.

For instance, consider this job listing:

Our ideal candidate for the role of sales manager is someone who can:

Build strong relationships with clients and partners.
Engage effectively with stakeholders at networking events.
Expand client base through proactive outreach.
Collaborate with other departments to enhance client services.
Host virtual meetings with clients and stakeholders via Google Meet.

The bolded keywords underline the networking skills that would be beneficial to emphasize on a resume for this role.

Pro Tip

Highlighting networking skills from the job listing not only aligns you with the requirements of the role but also enhances your resume’s chances of passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Step 2

Feature networking skills in your skills section

Beyond hard skills specific to your field, your skills section should also showcase key soft skills that demonstrate your holistic capabilities. This is an excellent opportunity to highlight some of your most essential networking skills.

Step 3

Integrate networking skills throughout your resume

Your skills section isn’t the only place to showcase your networking abilities. Your work history is a crucial section to show how you’ve put these skills to work in real-life situations.

Consider this example:

Sales Manager
XYZ Enterprises, City, State
June 2019 – June 2024

Cultivated enduring relationships with key clients, increasing client retention by 25%.
Engaged actively at industry events, leading to a 30% growth in network connections.
Collaborated with the marketing department to co-develop client engagement strategies.
Initiated follow-ups with new contacts, securing five high-value accounts.

Your resume profile also offers a chance to stress some of the most critical keywords at the very top. These are the first networking skills that employers will notice, so choose the ones that are most relevant to the role and your expertise.

Pro Tip

If you’re starting your career, consider using a functional resume format to prominently highlight your networking skills, even if you lack extensive work experience.

Step 4

Don’t forget to include networking skills in your cover letter

Your cover letter is a vital element of the job search. It allows you to elaborate on your resume and convey your enthusiasm for the role. Here, you can further demonstrate your networking skills by discussing how these abilities have led to significant achievements.

For help getting started, look for cover letter examples that effectively showcase strong networking skills. Our Cover Letter Builder can also help by offering generated text based on your background and providing professional formatting assistance, ensuring you can complete your cover letter with confidence.

How to improve your networking skills

Building your network can be hard work. It’s about more than just watercooler chatting. You need to be aware of the skills that help you build relationships and willing to develop those skills to achieve your potential.

Improve your networking skills by:

Focusing on learning

The Harvard Business Review suggests approaching networking situations with a “learning” mindset. Think of building your network as a way to learn about your community, feed your curiosity and discover a world of opportunities. You’ll find networking to be less of a chore if you’re intentional about maintaining an open-minded point of view.

Being proactive

Don’t just expect people to read your mind and reach out to you. The Rain Group recommends that you improve your networking skills and broaden your network by taking the initiative and starting conversations with others.

Following up

Collecting social media followers and LinkedIn connections can make your network look larger, but are you really building connections with all of these people? Robert Half suggests that you focus on building meaningful relationships by following up on conversations and keeping in regular touch with your core network.

Relying on the professionals

When in doubt, upgrade your skills with an online course. Udemy offers plenty of interesting courses designed to help you grow your personal and professional network.

More skills resources

Looking for help understanding, improving or listing a different career skill? Check out our other guides for help making the most out of your resume skills.

Now, let’s explore some key takeaways to help you remember what’s important!

Key takeaways

List networking skills on your resume

Your entire resume, from your skills section to your profile to your work history, offers opportunities to show potential employers how you’ve developed and maintained professional relationships.
Showcase communication

To understand and be understood by others, a strong foundation of core communication skills is indispensable.
Get comfortable with digital networking

There’s no escaping the information age. Instead, use the tools it provides, like social media and communication software, to build a network of contacts that reaches far beyond your local community.
Proactively work on your strategy

Networking is more than just talking. Pay attention to industry trends and build a goal-oriented strategy to maximize your resources.
Improve your networking skills

Work on being proactive, open-minded and curious. If building relationships at work and in professional spaces is something you find challenging, try taking an online course designed to help you improve.

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Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.