Rutherford Cross Interim Consultant, Christina McLean shares a personal take on why pushing past the nerves of in-person networking can be a game-changer for your career, and how it’s more about building genuine relationships than simply ‘working the room’.
Networking doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Although I’ve always considered myself a confident ‘people person’, the moment I was thrown into a room full of small talk and expected to speak like an expert in my field, I froze; suddenly, even holding a simple conversation felt awkward, and imposter syndrome quickly crept in.
What I’ve come to realise, both personally and professionally, is that real networking is about building long-term relationships. In a profession like accountancy, where trust, accuracy and sound judgement are everything, those relationships can be just as important as your technical skills. If the idea of networking beyond the screen feels a little daunting, here are a few compelling reasons why stepping out of your comfort zone could be well worth it.
1. Strengthening Your Professional Reputation
Whether you’re a CFO or a part-qualified accountant, consistently showing up to in-person events, be it industry seminars, roundtables or informal networking drinks, signals that you’re engaged, ambitious and serious about your career. Over time, this visibility helps to build your reputation as a committed and credible finance professional within the market.
2. Gaining Insights You Won’t Find Online
Technology and online platforms are powerful tools, but they can’t replicate the value of real-time, face-to-face conversations. Whether it’s finding out which company is about to hire, who urgently needs a systems expert, or which teams are struggling to close their accounts, these insider insights often surface casually at events, long before they appear on job boards or LinkedIn. Staying close to the ground in this way gives you a real advantage over competitors who rely solely on digital channels, especially in the contract market.
3. Building Lasting Relationships, Not Just Contacts
Expanding your network with industry-relevant connections is about fostering relationships that benefit both you and those around you. During our interim roundtable session last year, Bill Power, a seasoned interim CFO, stressed the value of never turning down a coffee chat or meeting, even when you’re deeply involved in a current role or project. You never know, today’s casual conversation might turn into a valuable opportunity down the road.
At Rutherford Cross, we have designed our events programme to make face-to-face networking feel like a rewarding choice rather than a chore. Our aim is to foster genuine, relaxed and purposeful connections among finance professionals.
We recently hosted the latest instalment of our Navigating the World of Interim event series with Ed Rogers. You can read a full write-up of the event here. If you would like to be kept informed about similar upcoming events, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team.
Contact the Interim Team:
Christina McLean (Glasgow): [email protected]
Euan Bodie (Glasgow): [email protected]
Derek Lauder (Scotland): [email protected]
Kamran Chaudhry (Edinburgh): [email protected]
