How to Build a Project Management Network That Actually Works for You
Project management networking doesn’t have to mean awkward coffee chats or pretending to care in every group chat. Real networking is about building connections that feel aligned. It’s being seen, supported, and strategically plugged into rooms that match your energy and your goals.
It’s honestly a necessity when it comes to leveling up in your project management career as a newbie or a seasoned professional. If you want to know how to build a project management network that works for you, it’s important to be intentional with how you position yourself in the industry and get clear on where you want to be.
If you’re looking for a cheat code on how to navigate this space with less confusion and more clarity, The Little Black Book of Project Management Advice is the key. It hands you the kind of unfiltered, real-world advice only a vet in the game can offer.
Let’s get into how to build a network that actually makes sense for where you’re headed.
Jenay Brown, Women of Project Management Member
Your Career Goals Deserve Better Company
Let’s be honest: not everyone in your circle deserves a front-row seat to your ambition. If your current network can’t refer you, mentor you, or at the very least challenge you, then you’re not networking, you’re just vibing. And while there’s nothing wrong with vibing, it doesn't land you that next role or secure your spot on that panel.
Take inventory: who’s in your inbox when you post a win? Who’s sending you job leads before they hit LinkedIn? If the answer is “crickets,” it might be time to elevate your circle. Your goals aren’t small, your network shouldn’t be either.
Events, DMs, and Emails… Here’s What Actually Works
You do not need to attend every mixer or meetup to grow a solid network. Honestly, some of the best connections come from one bold DM or a well-placed email that doesn’t sound like a LinkedIn template. The formula is to be direct, specific, and low-maintenance.
Instead of “I’d love to pick your brain,” try “I saw your work on XYZ, and it really inspired this idea I’m working on.” People respect genuine interest. Also, showing up consistently at virtual events and supporting whether financially or just sharing, commenting and thoughtfully on other people’s posts goes a lot further than you might think.
The Power of Visibility
PMI X Women of Project Management
Visibility isn’t about being loud, it’s about being clear and showing up. Clear in your value, your voice, and your work. The people who need to find you can’t, if you're busy blending in and being modest to a fault.
That doesn’t mean you have to become the office extrovert or turn your IG into a TED Talk. It means documenting your wins, speaking up in meetings when you know your idea is solid, and showing up online like the expert you already are. Your next opportunity is probably watching quietly. Let them see you.
And don’t be afraid of being wrong; some of the most magnetic people in the world are the people who don’t mind being wrong in front of others. It’s a learning experience, makes you fearless and attracts you to likeminded people in your industry.
Don’t Just Network Up… Network Across and Around
Everyone’s chasing the exec’s attention, but your real power move might be the woman two steps beside you. Peer-to-peer networking is underrated; those are the people who share leads and speak your name in rooms because they know your work intimately. “Up” is cute and necessary, but “across” is where the momentum is.
And don’t forget about the folks just getting started; they bring fresh energy, a new lens, and a hunger that can spark your own growth. Build across levels, across industries, across expectations. That’s how you stay evolving… not just climbing.
By, Airess Rembert, PMP, Member of Women Of Project Management & Blogger at The Nerd Bae
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