networking
v. uncountablev. the activity of meeting and talking to people who can help you with your work or career. It is about building helpful professional relationships.
v. the process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. Often used in business contexts to describe the cultivation of productive relationships.
I spent the evening networking with other local business owners.
Attending industry conferences is a great way to do some networking and find potential new clients.
While technical skills are essential for entry-level roles, successful long-term career progression often depends on the strength of one's professional networking and the ability to leverage those connections.
Commonly functions as a gerund noun; often follows verbs like 'do' or 'go'.