The most important networking happens every day.

Networking happens both inside and outside your company. In fact, some of the most important networking happens every day with coworkers, project partners, or people you see in the break room. Building good relationships across different departments, known as inward networking, is key for both your daily work and long-term growth.

If you stay in your own bubble—talking only to your boss or team—you miss chances to learn how the rest of the company works. Even worse, if your department changes or faces cuts, you might not have supporters in other areas who know your skills and work ethic.

To be a good internal networker, see every project as a chance to build relationships. When you work with someone from finance, HR, or product, show interest in what they do. Ask about their challenges and how your team’s work affects theirs. Use cross-team meetings to show you’re reliable, respectful, and a team player.

When you have a strong network inside your company, you gain supporters who will speak well of you even when you’re not around. Managers share feedback, and a good word from someone in another department can help you get a promotion or a full-time job. Your workplace is full of chances to connect, so make sure you notice and use them.

Put these approaches into practice.

Let’s look at practical ways to turn every cross-functional project, quick hallway chat, or team meeting into a chance to build strong partnerships.