Networking in the workplace

Networking is a skill that needs to be learned early on in your career. This is the argument put forward by the Institute for Employment Research based on several studies, which states that those who work with the right colleagues while still studying improve their chances of a successful career start later on. This tends to exclude the approximately 40% of students who work in jobs unrelated to their field of study, primarily in the hospitality and retail sectors. However, according to the IAB, those who already pursue a job related to their field of study during their studies and hold the same position for at least three months significantly improve their career opportunities. This applies to various industries: For example, 14% of students already work in scientific fields and 10% in health and social services. Regardless of the industry, it is possible to build up a network of colleagues that can be important for starting a career. The exact advantages vary depending on the industry, employer, and job, but it is conceivable that recommendations will be made for students as new employees at companies. Other possibilities include transparent discussions about starting salaries, forwarding relevant job offers, or motivation to pursue additional studies or acquire further qualifications. This network also makes a difference when it comes to salary: those who have worked with more highly qualified colleagues receive on average about one percent more pay than the average starting salary when they start their careers. The IAB therefore argues that relevant knowledge and skills were already passed on during the student's part-time job, from which they were able to benefit later on. This also shows that the importance of such a network goes far beyond the financial aspect: career starters in particular benefit from the skills, experience, and recommendations passed on by older colleagues.

We were also interested in these topics:

• Internal team culture: What makes a good meeting – and what should you never do? Psychologist Steven Rogelberg answers these questions in an interview with Zeit (€).

• New hires: Almost 40% of all new jobs are currently temporary, with young employees particularly affected, accounting for almost half of these. The Hans Böckler Foundation has details on which occupational groups are particularly affected in which locations.

• Further training: The German labor market needs new reskilling strategies, especially in view of the shortage of skilled workers. Munich professor Monika Schnitzer has summarized for the Handelsblatt which skills employees particularly need and how they can acquire them.

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