The art of networking for women in tech: Interview with Līna Marta Sarma

Networking is an essential part of advancing one’s career, especially in the tech industry where connections and relationships can open doors to new opportunities. However, for women in the tech industry, networking events can often feel intimidating and challenging to navigate due to gender disparity, imposter syndrome, competition, lack of inclusivity, and unconscious biases. It’s common for women to feel isolated, doubt their expertise and face stereotypes in this primarily male-dominated industry. Addressing these barriers is crucial to creating inclusive spaces for women to connect and thrive. In this interview article, we delve into strategies and experiences of networking as a woman in the tech industry with insights from Līna Marta Sarma, a board member at Riga TechGirls and TechHub Riga.

In this interview, Līna shares practical tips for approaching strangers at networking events, including introducing yourself and asking open-ended questions to understand their interests and goals. She also emphasizes the importance of shifting the focus from solely how others can help you, to how you can also offer value to others. 

Drawing from her own successful experiences, Līna highlights how networking events, such as the Riga TechGirls meetup, have opened doors to new friendships and work opportunities. She emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals, creating inclusive spaces, and engaging in interactive activities to facilitate connections among attendees.

It’s time to step out of your comfort zone

How do you approach networking as a woman in the tech industry, and what strategies have you found to be most effective?

A great starting point is to attend a networking event with a friend. If you’ve never been to an event like this and feel intimidated even about the idea of talking to strangers, this is a great way to ease yourself into it.

Nevertheless, in my experience, the events you attend alone will be the ones you get the most out of as you’ll be obliged to talk to new people and step out of your comfort zone. Once you understand the consensus, it becomes easy to walk up to someone new, introduce yourself, ask the other person what they do, and how they are finding the event. This also gives you valuable insight into why they attended the event in the first place. 

Also, a nice thing I used to do fairly often when running meetups is approaching a person that seems to be alone and struggling to talk to someone at the event. By doing that, you’ll talk to someone who might share the same feeling. Plus, it’s a great way to make an instant connection.

What advice would you give to other women in tech who may feel intimidated by networking events or struggle to make meaningful connections with others in the industry?

A key aspect is to remember that other people are also there for the same reason – to network and meet new people. There should be a common consensus around the room that everyone is here for the same goal. Once you realize this, it becomes easier to approach someone. Most likely, everyone shares the same feeling and are afraid to approach people they don’t know.

Also, when building a connection with someone, it’s important to consider how you can support and assist them rather than solely focusing on how they can benefit you. Reflect on the knowledge or connections you can offer from your perspective, and strive to understand the other person’s needs, concerns, and common challenges. It’s a two-way street where mutual support and understanding can pave the way for a meaningful connection.

One networking event away from a job opportunity

Can you share a specific example of a successful networking experience you’ve had, and how it contributed to your professional growth or career advancement?

The Riga TechGirls meetup is a great example of this. I participated in one of their gatherings when the organization was just taking its first steps. After returning from living abroad, I found myself in a situation where I didn’t know a lot of people and was eager to expand my social circle by making new connections. Attending the Riga TechGirls meetup proved to be a valuable opportunity as I had the chance to connect with numerous women who were part of the tech industry. It also served as a stepping stone for my involvement with Riga TechGirls, leading to further engagement and collaboration.

Overall, I’ve participated in various networking events through which I have found new friends and work colleagues. I’m fairly sure most of my work opportunities have started with meeting someone at a networking event and then ending up making long-lasting connections and even friendships. 

How to have a successful networking event

In your opinion, what steps can companies take to create a more inclusive networking culture that empowers women in tech to build valuable relationships and access new opportunities?

If you’re organizing an event, the first step is to establish a goal. At tech events, a common objective is to foster connections that can prove beneficial to diverse professionals in the future.

However, the Riga TechGirls events are usually more targeted at helping women lift each other up as well as share experiences and connections that help others. Also, the meetups offer a space where you don’t feel like the only woman in the room. However, there can also be other goals, like making professional connections, finding job opportunities, or sharing professional practice. 

Also, networking events that cater to smaller audiences, such as gatherings of 20-30 individuals, are particularly effective, especially when designed for specific groups of people. We have statistically seen that once the event is smaller, there is a significantly higher chance for all of the attendees to talk to people they don’t know and make connections. Again, it shows that once the consensus is there, it becomes easier for people to connect with strangers as they don’t feel like the odd one out. 

There are also other activities that encourage networking, like giving participants a task to talk to the person on their left or walking up to someone they don’t know and sharing three things about themselves. It’s fairly straightforward but a really good strategy to ease the first tension and make sure everyone is on the same page.

Finally, a crucial aspect I always emphasize is that event organizers should actively participate in the networking process and play an active role in facilitating connections. By being active participants, organizers can set a positive example and create a welcoming environment that encourages attendees to connect and collaborate.

Networking is empowering

In conclusion, networking can be a valuable tool for career advancement in the tech industry, but it can be particularly challenging for women due to various barriers such as gender disparity, imposter syndrome, competition, lack of inclusivity, and unconscious bias. However, by addressing these barriers and implementing inclusive strategies, networking events can become empowering spaces for women in tech to build valuable relationships and access new opportunities.

One effective strategy highlighted by Līna is the importance of asking open-ended questions, shifting the focus from oneself to how one can offer value to others, and establishing a clear goal for networking events. She also emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive spaces, engaging in interactive activities, and having a goal for networking events to make them more effective.

To empower women in tech through networking, it’s important for companies to create a culture that encourages inclusivity and provides opportunities for meaningful connections. This can include organizing smaller events for specific groups, giving participants tasks or activities to facilitate networking, and having organizers actively participate in the networking process.

In conclusion, overcoming the challenges of networking in the tech industry as a woman may require stepping out of one’s comfort zone, shifting the focus from oneself to others, and creating inclusive spaces. With the right strategies and mindset, networking can be a powerful tool for women in tech to connect, thrive, and advance their careers.

To explore further the workshops, meetups, and other events organized by Riga TechGirls, visit their website or follow them on social media platforms. Additionally, their TechMentor program, which includes participation from Infogram and Prezi professionals as mentors, is currently in full swing. If you’re curious about the firsthand experiences of our team members who served as mentors in the TechMentor program last year, you can watch this video.