Forge enduring connections

Networking involves developing professional contacts, creating relationships, finding out relevant information, and making friends.

Importance of networking

There are many benefits to developing your professional network, including:

  • Hearing about job opportunities
  • Improving your profile and reputation
  • Obtaining advice and support
  • Learning more about your desired profession
  • Finding people with whom you have common your interests and/or values
  • Accessing the latest industry news and opportunities

How to network

1. Self-evaluation

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What are your skills, knowledge and attitudes?
  • Graduates have excellent analytical and critical thinking skills. How does this apply to you?
  • Why should someone employ me?
  • What unique skills, knowledge and abilities can I offer an employer?

2. Research employers

Research companies and find out the skills they are seeking. Look in the business pages – which companies are expanding? Read articles about employment trends.

3. Network

Making your contacts work for you, as well as helping out your contacts. Networking demands reciprocity, so don't ask for a favour if you are not willing to return in kind.

Where to network

  • Conferences, seminars, workshops, professional association meetings, career fairs or Careers Office events
  • Family events, social gatherings eg community, religious, sporting, arts groups and acquaintances
  • Current and previous employers, work colleagues
  • University connections eg academics
  • Supervisors, other students or alumni
  • People doing a job that you'd like to be doing
  • Online through LinkedIn

By tapping into all these contacts you are establishing a 'network' of people who can help you find out about all the employment opportunities that are never advertised.

Networking do's and dont's

Do

  • Network broadly. Include people from different disciplines.
  • Make it easy for the other person to say yes.
  • Maintain connections by following up with your contacts.
  • Learn what the other person values.
  • Be engaging, smooth off your sharp edges.
  • Maintain and cultivate relationships in good times and bad.
  • Make yourself valuable. Become a knowledge resource.
  • Share information and contacts generously.

Don't

  • Equate seniority with successful networking.
  • Confuse lunches and coffee meetings as networking.
  • Confine yourself to people just like you.
  • Be a fair-weather networker.
  • Send emails en masse.
  • Equate networking with collecting and distributing business cards.
  • Underestimate yourself.
  • Become too focused on just getting work.

Tips for networking in person

  • Smile, make eye contact and listen.
  • Ask open-ended questions.
  • Keep positive and don't talk negatively about anyone, especially old employers. You never know whom the stranger in front of you is connected with.
  • Keep up to date with current affairs.
  • Don't fear silence in a conversation.
  • Try to talk to people about non-work related topics.
  • Concentrate on the person you are talking to rather than searching the room for the next encounter.
  • Be selective with who you talk to – do you research.
  • Speak with intent and purpose.
  • Give other people time to share – attentive listening.
  • Follow up with intent ie after an event, spend some quiet time thinking about how you and each person can bring each other value, then craft a personal note that reminds them of why your contact was worthy of continuing in the first place.

Tips for networking events

  1. Manage your expectation – don't put pressure on yourself to meet a lot of people. One quality conversation is better than 20 superficial ones.
  2. Plan some ice-breakers in advance.
  3. Ask for an introduction – find someone who knows everyone (eg. the host) and ask them to connect you with whoever you want to meet
  4. Practice empathetic listening
  5. Share personal stories – they make you interesting and memorable
  6. Practice every day – start a brief conversation with co-workers, students, academics. Practice makes perfect.
  7. Utilise LinkedIn social to research and connect with people you meet.