As many as 75% of younger workers expect networking to feature heavily in the future.

Research by international leadership development organisation Common Purpose suggests that 68% of people expect to be part of more networks in five years time; the figure moves to 75% for the 25-44 year age group.

Confidence in networking as more than a social utility is one of the reasons workers are putting their faith in it – with many confident in the benefits of networking as a professional boost. Almost two thirds of respondents believe that networks are important to their career success.

Common Purpose has produced the following networking tips:

Julia Middleton, chief executive of Common Purpose, said: “Nothing happens without networks. They are fundamental to the success and security of businesses, and present an opportunity for people to see each other’s issues, spot new ideas and see the risks that are not simply confined to one department, organisation, community or even country. We need to encourage more new networks so people can gather ideas and start to grab the opportunities that emerge from working together.”