Importance of Networking in Oil and Gas Industry

In the fast-paced globalized world, can we afford to miss out on the importance of networking?

A question that probes the potential in professional networking. Speaking of the oil and gas industry, its gigantic scale of operations and its people in almost every corner of the world, the importance of networking cannot be sidelined. Be it at the beginning of your career in oil and gas or at the helm, a strong professional network will always support your endeavours.

Importance of Networking and a few tips on how to do it well

I understand that networking can be a little awkward for some of you. For others, it can be an easy going process. And for some, it is not even on the priority list. Nonetheless, it is important and you need to build a good professional network to navigate your way through this challenging yet exciting industry.

“You will likely get a job through who you know rather than through your education or work experience,” says the president and CEO of a globally recognized hospital in Philadelphia.

Here are a few suggestions to help you start:

Have a purpose

In the professional space, networking without a purpose won’t work in your favour. Have a clear intention regarding why you wish to connect with a person and how that connection will add value to your career path. You can set a goal for yourself and approach the network with that goal in mind. It can be something as simple as, “I want to learn more about the skills needed for digital oil and gas industry.” After you connect, make sure that you meet the goal. Networking is not just about sending connection requests to people on LinkedIn or exchanging business cards during events. The importance of networking lies in building upon that relationship.

Know how to start a conversation

Starting a conversation with a stranger is difficult, no matter how confident and extrovert a person you are. It gets a little tough during exhibitions, events, or conferences. Recently, I was at Petrotech in India. Oil and gas professionals from all over the world were present there. Certainly, I was hesitant. But I had an icebreaker. I began with questions like, “What brings you to this event?” or “How has the exhibition been so far?”. Simple questions to initiate a dialogue work very well in such situations. As an Energy Writer and Editor, my intent was to have an informed discussion with people and get to know their challenges and experiences with the industry. People love to open up when approached with a pleasant smile and humility. The conversations went well and I gathered some very valuable insights. Having an icebreaker helped me achieve my goal for networking at this grand oil and gas event. Give it a try when you are at an event or trying to talk to someone online.

Speak up about your career goals

It is important to open up about your career goals and aspirations while building your network. The importance of networking lies in how your career goals can be supported by your professional network. If you do not open up about your goals, people won’t be able to give you any valuable suggestions. Had I not been comfortable speaking about my goal at Petrotech, I would not have been able to gather relevant information from the oil and gas leaders present at the event. Even after the event, I have the opportunity to speak to them about the industry and capture their views.

Follow Up

People are busy and they will have a hard time remembering you if you are not following up with them on a regular basis. Networking does not stop at increasing your connections on LinkedIn or exchanging business cards. It is a continuous process. If you had a great interaction with someone online or during an event, send them a note or remark on the conversation. Highlight a specific topic you enjoyed discussing with that person. They will not only remember you but also will begin to believe in you. And who knows if they ask you to work with them in the future.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Energy Dais.)