When most people hear "networking," they picture awkward cocktail hours, stiff LinkedIn messages, and conversations that feel more transactional than genuine. And they usually associate it with job hunting—something you do when you're trying to leave your current employer.

In reality, networking is just as important for advancing within your company as it is for finding opportunities elsewhere (and maybe even more so). The people who get promoted, tapped for special projects, or considered for new roles are often the ones who've built relationships across the organization and not just within their own team.

If you're hoping to move up or move into a different department, internal networking should be part of your strategy. Here's how to do it thoughtfully.

First: Understand why internal networking matters

Promotions and internal moves don't happen in a vacuum.

When leadership is deciding who to advance, they're often consulting with managers and colleagues across departments. They're thinking about who they've seen in action, who's made a positive impression, and who seems ready for more responsibility.

If the only people who know your work are your immediate teammates, you're limiting your visibility. Internal networking expands the pool of people who can vouch for you, recommend you for opportunities, or think of you when a role opens up.

It also gives you access to information you might not otherwise have—insights about upcoming projects, shifts in company strategy, or informal expectations for certain roles. The more connected you are, the better positioned you'll be to spot and pursue opportunities.

With that said, let’s look at how you can leverage networking for internal mobility and career advancement!

Look for natural opportunities to connect

The best internal networking doesn't feel like networking at all. It happens organically through shared work and genuine interactions.

Your job is to put yourself in situations where those connections can form.

Cross-functional projects are one of the most effective ways to build relationships outside your team. When you volunteer for initiatives that involve multiple departments, you get to work alongside colleagues you wouldn't normally interact with. Along the way, you get to demonstrate your skills to a broader audience. Look for task forces, committees, company-wide initiatives, or process improvement projects that could use your expertise.

Employee resource groups, volunteer programs, and company events offer similar opportunities. These settings tend to be more relaxed, which makes it easier to have real conversations and get to know people as individuals rather than just job titles.

And if your company offers education benefits through a program like EdAssist® by Bright Horizons®, you may be able to connect with other team members who are pursuing continued education or even the same courses. This can also be a great way to connect with colleagues from different parts of the organization while building a natural camaraderie.

Be intentional about meeting people above your level

Building relationships with senior leaders can feel intimidating, but it doesn't have to be awkward. The key is finding legitimate reasons to interact rather than forcing conversations that feel out of place.

One approach is to seek out learning opportunities. If a leader in your organization has expertise in an area you're genuinely curious about, ask if they'd be willing to share their perspective over a brief coffee chat. Come prepared with thoughtful questions, be respectful of their time, and focus on learning—not on pitching yourself.

Formal mentorship programs, if your company offers them, provide a structured way to connect with more senior employees. Even if your assigned mentor isn't in the exact department you're targeting, they can offer valuable perspective and may introduce you to others in their network.

You can also increase your visibility by contributing day-to-day. You can do this by speaking up in meetings, presenting your work when opportunities arise, and volunteering for projects that put you in front of leadership. The goal is to let decision-makers see what you're capable of and that you’re invested in the company.

Build relationships with peers in other departments

It's easy to focus on connecting with people above you, but lateral relationships matter too. Your peers in other departments are likely the future leaders of the organization, and the relationships you build now can pay dividends for years.

These connections also give you insight into how different parts of the company operate. If you're considering a move to a different function, having contacts there can help you understand what the work is actually like, what skills are valued, and whether it's a good fit for you.

Reach out to peers whose work intersects with yours, even loosely. You can offer to help when needed, and share information that might be useful to them. These small gestures build goodwill and establish you as someone who's collaborative and easy to work with, which are qualities that matter when hiring managers are evaluating internal candidates.

Don't bypass your own manager

Here's where things can get delicate. If you're networking internally because you want to move up or move out of your current role, you need to be thoughtful about how your manager perceives your actions.

In most cases, transparency is the best policy.

Let your manager know that you're interested in growing your career and exploring opportunities within the company. Frame it positively, sharing that you're invested in your future here, and you want to understand what paths might be available. A good manager will support your development, even if it eventually means that you’ll move to another team.

That said, read the room. If you have a manager who might feel threatened or react poorly, you may need to be more discreet. Focus on networking that feels natural and work-related rather than activities that could be perceived as going behind their back or trying to go over their head.

Whatever you do, don't neglect your current responsibilities in pursuit of your next role. The fastest way to damage your internal reputation is to let your performance slip while you're busy positioning yourself for something else.

Follow up and stay connected

Networking isn't a one-time activity. The relationships that help your career are the ones you nurture over time.

After you meet someone new, follow up with a brief message thanking them for their time or referencing something you discussed.

You also want to stay in touch periodically. You could share an article they might find interesting, congratulate them on a win, or check in to see how a project turned out.

When you do have an opportunity to help someone in your network, take it. Recommend a colleague for a project. Make an introduction. Share credit generously. People remember those who supported them, and that goodwill often comes back around.

Your network is part of your career strategy

Advancing within your company isn't just about doing good work; it's about making sure the right people know about the work you're doing. Internal networking helps you build visibility, gain advocates, and position yourself for opportunities you might not even know exist yet.

If you're serious about growing your career, start thinking of relationship-building as part of your job. Seek out cross-functional work, connect with leaders and peers, and invest in the connections that will support your long-term goals. The next opportunity might come from someone you haven't met yet.

Remember, when you ask for advice from your manager about how to prepare for career growth, take it seriously. If they recommend going back to school and leveraging your continued education benefits through EdAssist, strongly consider doing so. And if they suggest working on your soft skills, take it seriously.

Networking is a good first step, but if you want true internal career mobility, having all the pieces in place will help you be ready when that position you’ve got your eye on opens up.

Looking for new ways to advance your career through continued education? Learn more with our LevelUp Studio! And if you’re ready to start, visit your EdAssist portal to check your education assistance benefits.