Why it's important for HR to network

To most internal HR professionals the term 'networking' is assumed to relate to the activity of external consultants who need to network to find work. It isn't something that 'internals' think they do or indeed need to do. This is a dangerous assumption especially in a recession where ability to perform your role well is an underlying expectation of competency. Internal professionals need to be far more than just competent; the ability to build and nurture relationships, have advocates, build reputation and credibility, demonstrate openness and trust and have fantastic interpersonal skills is a must. Everything that a good professional networker takes for granted.