Strategic Management

SEMESTER 4

Strategic Management

An Assignment ON:

Networking 101 for budding Law Professionals (Suited for Law Students)

SUBMITTED TO:

Dr. Anuradha Jha

University School of Law and Legal Studies, GGSIPU, Dwarka

SUBMITTED BY:

Toyesh Bhardwaj (04416503520)

Payas Virmani (003216503520)

BBA-LLB’25

University School of Law and Legal Studies, GGSIPU, Dwarka

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Your Network is your Networth

-Warren Buffet (Billionaire Investor)

Main Topic- Networking 101 for

budding Law Professionals (Suited for
Law Students)
The purpose of this project is to help Law students just starting of Law School to help them
develop a network in the law fraternity.
This project aims to provide the law Students with the right tools and skills to develop a
network amongst the lawyers which in turn will help them secure internships, jobs and other
opportunities which might not be available to them if they did not have the right networks.

It is imperative for a Law Student to know the right people at the right places as law as a
profession is full of uncertainties  and contacts are what helps a person to secure
opportunities in places less accessible to those without contacts. 

What is Networking? 
Networking is the informal social exchange of information and ideas among people who have
a shared profession or particular interest. A single piece of common ground is generally the
starting point for networking. Professionals utilise networking to broaden their horizons.
find out about career prospects in their fields through their circles of connections, and
expand their knowledge of current events and trends in their industries or in the larger globe

If you want to reap the benefits of networking, it’s important to know what networking is and
what it isn’t. First of all, professional networking has no relation to computer networking.

At its core, the kind of networking we’re discussing is about meeting new people. However,
what sets networking apart from casually meeting someone new on a night out is your
intention. 

Networking often occurs in a business casual setting. This can be in the office or at a happy
hour. Networking can also happen at an event specifically for networking. Ultimately, the
goal is for professionals to connect and help each other grow in their careers. 

Networking can occur with your co-workers, both on and off your team. Networking can also
happen with old friends or complete strangers. Really, it’s all about having the intention to
support your own (and other people’s) career paths.

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A network strategy consists of your plan for building and managing a network of partners in a
way best suited to meet your shared goals. It focuses on the considerations of HOW you’ll
build your network, in terms of what you will do, and won’t do, to align your work with your
goals. A well-thought out network strategy answers questions like:

 What type of network are you building?

 What is the network’s primary purpose, along with specific goals to evaluate
progress?
 How will the network be governed, informally or formally, and by whom?
 What is the timeline for the network? Will it go on or end after meeting its goal?

Importance of Networking
Professionals utilise networking to broaden their networks of acquaintances, learn about
career prospects in their areas, and get a better understanding of current events and trends in
their fields and the larger world. It keeps a professional up to date on current developments in
the sector and allows them to form contacts that might lead to better business or job
opportunities in the future.

Using your network is one of the best ways to find a new job or even a new role at your
current company. It often comes down to one keyword: referrals.

Thirty-one percent of job seekers find listings through professional connections, especially
referrals. Networking can open doors to new opportunities that might be out of reach
otherwise.

Plus, a strong professional relationship can inspire someone to hand-deliver your resume to
the hiring manager’s desk. This can make you stand out from the crowd and even help you
land your dream job one day.

University School of Law and Legal Studies, GGSIPU, Dwarka

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Devising a Plan of Action to Develop

network in the Law Fraternity for a Law
Student
Law is a complex field with many moving parts and hence the profession as a whole must be
understood before networking with actual professionals 

Reasons networking is important to

your career development
There’s no denying that meeting new people can feel uncomfortable. However, if you can
face your fears, you’ll be amazed by the connections you can make with co-workers, old
friends, and yes, even strangers.

Here are 4 reasons why networking is important to your career development:

1. Networking contributes to your social well-being

2. Networking leads to the exchange of ideas 
3. Networking helps you meet people at all professional levels
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4. Networking boosts your professional confidence

Networking contributes to your social

well-being
Networking can increase your social well-being and help you develop lifelong friends. You
might be focused on the professional aspect of networking. However, many friendships have
started in the workplace or at professional functions. 

Networking isn’t just about taking — it’s also about giving, which makes it fertile ground for
friendship. Having more people in your life can help you meet your new best friend and
increase your overall happiness. 

Why is networking important? Besides the social benefits, building relationships can be the
key to making huge strides in your career path.

Even if you aren’t looking for a job right now, networking can bring interesting and relevant
opportunities your way, especially for women.

A personal or LinkedIn connection may reach out about a role that’s perfect for you. They
could also ask for your help to pursue a passion project. When people know what you’re
interested in, they can help you find opportunities that you may have otherwise missed. You
might even find your next mentor or business partner through networking. 

According to a popular study, 23% of people submit resumes through friends or former
colleagues. This makes it clear why staying connected is so important. Building your network
not only helps you find new opportunities, but it can help you secure a new role, too. The
importance of referrals can’t be denied.

University School of Law and Legal Studies, GGSIPU, Dwarka

 Strategic Management

Networking leads to the exchange of

ideas
New ideas can keep you growing professionally and trying new things. Hearing what other
people are doing at their companies can also inspire you to bring new techniques or skills to
your job. Whether you work for a small business or a large corporation, your fresh ideas can
help you stand out and succeed in your current role. 

Discussing your work with new connections offers a unique perspective. It also enhances
motivation and creative thinking. Having an industry mentor or connection outside your
company is a valuable asset. 

If you’re feeling stuck on a project, a brainstorming session with someone in your network
can help get the gears turning. For example, if you’re a small business owner, sharing your
struggle with fellow business owners can help you problem-solve faster. This exchange of
information is at the heart of networking.

Networking helps you meet people at

various professional levels
Accessing higher-ups can be difficult in some organizations. This is where networking can
introduce you to more experienced professionals. The opportunity to access their wisdom and
career advice is key to your future growth.

These connections present new opportunities for mentorship and career development. This is
why networking is so important. It also empowers you to share your skills. Professional
networking with a co-worker who you admire can lead you to find a new mentor. It just takes
a quick coffee or small talk at industry and networking events. 

Knowing people of various professional levels can also expose you to a wider variety of job
opportunities. Once you develop a relationship with someone, you may be able to leverage
their connections to get a foot in the door for a new role. This is why networking is so
important.

Networking can make you more

confident
Professional networking is an exercise in confidence, especially for people who are shy or
introverted. That’s part of why so many people avoid it. However, once you find yourself
discussing your shared interests with a new friend, you’ll see that networking isn’t so bad. 

Networking events are actually a great place to practice your confidence, even if you’re an
introvert. Put yourself out there and speak about what matters to you. Developing new
relationships helps you foster newfound confidence in your professional capabilities.

University School of Law and Legal Studies, GGSIPU, Dwarka

 Strategic Management

 It can also help you gain confidence when it comes to social networking. Learning to face
your fears in order to further your career can make meeting new friends less intimidating.

How to network if you’re shy

Shyness was a problem faced by one of our friends, below-mentioned tips helped him quite a
lot.
The purpose of networking is to make new friends, industry acquaintances, and even business
partners. Through these new relationships, you can make progress on your career path
quickly. When you look at it that way, it’s clear why networking is such a powerful tool —
for introverts, too. 

Here are a few ways to network if you’re shy:

Start small: sometimes, just showing up to a networking event can be an accomplishment.

Challenge yourself to attend the event and grab a drink, even if you don’t talk to anyone at
first. Chances are, someone will approach you, and you’ll find yourself networking in no
time!

Bring a friend: a friend who understands your shyness can be the bridge you need to make
your first new professional connection. Your friend can help start the conversation and give
you the confidence to venture out on your own next time.

Focus on shared interests: try finding a smaller networking event that allows you to focus
on a specific interest you love talking about. You will likely find it easier to talk to new
friends about something you’re truly passionate about.
Once you start, you’ll quickly see why networking is so important. You might even find it’s
fun, too!

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Concluding Importance of Networking

in the journey from a Law student to a
Practicing Lawyer
Apart from the above-mentioned benefits of networking, a Law student  is also required to
network in case of independent practice in the field of law, as a network is what gets you
clients as a Lawyer. 

A well established and working network helps the Law student to get access to all kinds of
court practice which in turn helps the career as a practicing lawyer.

A Network is like a web in which no opportunity goes to waste and every chance or
opportunity that comes around is distributed in the well knitted network.
That is why a close-knit as well as a large network is essential to make it as practicing
lawyer. 

University School of Law and Legal Studies, GGSIPU, Dwarka

 Strategic Management

An example- A client in need of a criminal lawyer might approach their lawyer friend who is
a corporate so the corporate lawyer will refer the criminal lawyer that the corporate lawyer
might know.
This is an example of how a networks rewards the lawyer.

Networking basics and best practices

Networking is personal. Forming a new relationship involves dedicating time to making connections.
Finding ways that you feel comfortable getting to know someone will set you up for success.

Some people thrive at a large event, while others prefer to meet through networking apps like Shapr
or LinkedIn. For some, virtual networking events can take some pressure off your first networking
experience. 

Even when people were quarantined at home in 2020, 6.3 million people attended virtual events on
LinkedIn. This shows how powerful the drive to connect can be.

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 Strategic Management

1.Consider what you have to offer

Effective networking is always a two-way street. Some people may avoid networking
because they’re not sure what they have to offer. 

Before you go to a networking event, consider what you can give to someone else and what
you’re willing to offer. You may be eager to connect people with others in your network. But
recognize ahead of time if you don't feel comfortable recommending someone you just met
for a job.

Defining what you can give and your boundaries can help you feel less unsure about
networking. When you feel more comfortable, it’s easier to build trust with other people, too.

2. Let curiosity lead the way

Forget collecting a ton of business cards. Instead of aiming to meet as many people as
possible, make a goal to have a few deep and engaging conversations with a handful of
people. Focus on shared interests and let curiosity be your guide.

Getting people talking about what they care about can help you build a stronger connection.
Ask a lot of questions and listen. Be open about your passions, goals, and interests, too. 

Most importantly, don’t forget to follow up afterward. When you connect on LinkedIn or
reach out by email, share something interesting you learned from the person.

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 Strategic Management

3. Set bigger goals

If you’re looking for a job, there’s no need to ask everyone if they’re hiring.

Networking can feel sleazy if you’re only out for your own benefit. Instead, create
networking goals bigger than yourself to avoid becoming intimidated or demanding.
Remember that connections you make today can help you two, three, or ten years from now.
Keep that in mind – almost every new connection you make will have value now or in the
future.

Your higher goal can be learning, contributing to your industry, or something else
completely. Either way, having a higher purpose can take the focus off you. Keep that higher
goal top of mind to maintain your confidence and drive.

4. Find common ground

Remember, everyone at a business networking event is a person, too. 

Treating everyone like their professional title can make a conversation awkward. While it
may seem like that person is miles away from where you are, you might discover that you
have more in common than you thought. 

Have general questions prepared to ask about people’s interests beyond their work life.
Connecting over hobbies can help you create a deeper bond.

References 
https://www.betterup.com/blog/networking#:~:text=Networking%20contributes%20to
%20your%20social,Networking%20boosts%20your%20professional%20confidence

https://hbr.org/2007/01/how-leaders-create-and-use-networks

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/principlesmanagement/chapter/9-5-personal-
operational-and-strategic-networks/
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https://visiblenetworklabs.com/2021/03/01/what-is-a-network-strategy/

University School of Law and Legal Studies, GGSIPU, Dwarka