How to Network Effectively as an Apprentice (Without Being Awkward)

When you’re old enough to watch American Psycho (rated R, 18+ only!), the business card scene will live rent-free in your head. The characters carefully compare the paper and font of their business cards to decide who the big cheese is in the business world.

Paper business cards might be dead nowadays, but you can still learn something: the movie might be a horror, but networking doesn’t have to be. Networking as an apprentice doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, it is a super valuable tool for expanding your knowledge and growing your career.

We’ve compiled essential tips for success with apprenticeship networking – and there’s no awkward business card exchange in sight.

What is apprenticeship networking, and is it worth your time?

Networking is a process of building and nurturing professional relationships. For an apprentice like yourself, it’s about actively connecting with:

• Fellow apprentices and learners
• Professionals in your chosen field
• People in your workplace

The really important thing to know about networking as an apprentice is that it’s not about asking for a job or collecting metaphorical business cards. The goal of networking is to establish genuine connections with relevant people, so you can expand your professional circle and open doors for future employment.

Networking is worth your time as an apprentice because you’ll:

• Connect with experienced professionals who could become mentors and role models
• Build your personal brand and reputation within your chosen industry
• Develop your communication, active listening, confidence and interpersonal skills
• Create a support system with other apprentices or young professionals who are going through similar experiences
• Learn about industry trends and challenges so you’re always in the know

Should apprenticeship networking feel awkward?

Let’s be real… yes and no. Apprenticeship networking will probably feel a bit awkward if you’re not used to it – even if you’re a confident person. That’s okay, and it’ll feel more enjoyable and fruitful as you practice.

The secret is to shift your mindset and really consider the goal of apprenticeship networking. Remember that networking isn’t about asking for a job (yep, that’s super awkward); it’s about building genuine relationships with people who share interests and goals similar to yours. There’s nothing awkward about that!

If you’re still feeling the ick, here are a few conversation starters to get your confidence flowing:

• “I’m really enjoying this event. Have you been to it before?”
• “That was an interesting point the speaker just made; what did you think?”
• “How did you begin your career in this field?”
• “I saw your/your company’s recent project – I really liked [point]. How did you start working on it?”
• “I’m excited for [project/learning point] in my apprenticeship. What are you looking forward to learning or achieving?”
• “I’m currently working on [specific project, task or challenge]. Have you ever dealt with anything similar, or do you have any tips?”
• “What’s a skill you’ve developed since starting your own career/apprenticeship that you didn’t expect?”

Overcoming the awkwardness: How to network effectively as an apprentice

Remember when we promised that networking as an apprentice can be enjoyable, not awkward? Well, here are some top tips to make meeting people more fun.

Provide value, too

Networking is a two-way street. Think about how you can offer value, even if it’s just sharing an interesting article or making an introduction for someone else later on. Giving back also helps you look respectful and become more valuable to the prospect. After all, the goal of networking is to build genuine relationships – it’s not too dissimilar to making friends.

Be active, not passive

Networking opportunities won’t come to you – you have to go out there and find them, whether that’s online or in the real world. For example, simply having a LinkedIn profile isn’t enough. You need to engage with content and even share your own posts to get peoples’ attention.

Prepare a mini introduction

Starting a conversation is the hardest part. Why not prepare a short, natural way to introduce yourself? Like this: “Hi, I’m [name], I’m a [apprenticeship role] apprentice at [company]. I’m enjoying [mention a specific project or learning point]. In the future, I’m interested in [goal, project or career plan].”

Be curious, not salesy

Here’s one of the most critical communication lessons you’ll ever hear: people love talking about themselves. Instead of entering a conversation by talking about you, ask questions about their work and interests. Go into conversations with a genuine desire to learn from others rather than to get something from them.

Stick to open-ended questions

If you’ve ever been to therapy, you may have noticed the helpful trick therapists use to get you talking: ask open-ended questions. Basically, you should avoid questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” – which is a conversation killer. Open-ended questions create space for the other person to answer comprehensively, however they want.

For example, a question like “Did you enjoy the presentation?” could get a simple, conversation-killing “yes.” Reframing it into “What did you enjoy about the presentation?” invites a detailed response, showing your genuine interest in the speaker and their thoughts.

Practice active listening

Active listening goes hand-in-hand with asking open-ended questions. Active listening means fully focusing on what the other person is saying and then responding to them accordingly – rather than just waiting for your turn to speak. You can show you’re engaged by making eye contact and offering verbal affirmations like “I see” or “That’s interesting.” When they finish talking, you can briefly summarise what they said or ask a relevant follow-up question.

3 things NOT to do during apprenticeship networking

1. Buy gifts: It’s not the 1990s on Wall Street (yep, another 18+ movie…). You can offer value in lots of ways, but gift-giving can be uncomfortable for the receiver and seen as bribery.
2. Ask for a job: As we’ve already explored, networking is not about asking for a job. It’s about learning and building relationships.
3. Be unprepared: A little research on the event or the person you hope to meet goes a long way. If you’re unprepared, they’ll switch off the conversation immediately.

Applying and networking: 2 essential parts of apprenticeship success

Enjoyable networking as an apprentice doesn’t feel awkward; it’ll boost your confidence and make you feel like you’re doing everything possible to secure your dream apprenticeship. Networking expands your professional horizons and helps you create a solid career foothold.

Networking is even relevant if you haven’t started your apprenticeship yet. If you’re in the ‘still looking/applying’ camp, take a look at our active opportunities to find your perfect match.