Networking is simply about forming associations and building relationships with people involved in the profession you are working in/would like to work in. But for some people the term ‘networking’ is enough to send shivers of dread and cause sweaty palms. Done well, it can set you apart from other candidates and leave a good impression with those who may be involved in recruitment. Done poorly, people may come across as fake or self-serving. The other extreme is not networking at all and sticking with a group of familiar people. This doesn’t help you in the long run.
This article aims to provide some techniques to make networking more manageable and natural for the budding networker.
Don’t think of it as networking!
Some people get turned off at the word ‘networking’ because this makes connections seem false and only meant for personal gain. Think of your meeting as making new friendships with people and genuine connections.Be genuine
Ask friendly questions to build rapport and to show that you’re genuinely interested in what the other person has to say. Such questions may include: “what do you do at XX company? What is the work like at XX company? Where do you see the industry in 5 years from now?”Don’t feel like you need to stand out
You don’t have to be the funniest person or the smartest in the room. Having those expectations on yourself will just reinforce the ‘networking’ fears and you can end up feeling fake.Don’t feel like you need to ‘agree’ with everything
Having an individual opinion and stating so shows that you are an independent thinker. But challenge within reason and be open to the opinions of others – this shows your team work abilities too.Find like-minded individuals
Begin by finding someone who engages at your level (or a level that you feel comfortable with) and spend a bit of time ‘practicing’ your networking questions and behaviour. This can also help build your confidence at networking.Don’t aim too high (at first)
If networking is hard in general don’t go to the CEO of your dream company at your first go. Get to know the staff and managers below the CEO – know a bit about that CEO indirectly and gain that initial confidence before you meet them face-to-face and try your networking skills. Getting to know the CEO and the company beforehand also shows that you have done your research. Before you go up to the CEO and tell her about your stamp collection, make sure she is interested in stamps! It may not be true that: "philately will get you everywhere". (Sorry!)Keep in contact
This is one tip people generally tend to forget. Just because you meet and had a good conversation with someone once doesn’t mean they will remember you forever. Share business cards and keep in contact with the person. For example, if you had an interesting discussion about Australia’s financial instability, send a follow-up email with a relevant article/paper you’ve read. This not only shows YOU’VE remembered that person but that you are up to date with the latest happenings in your field. Maintaining a genuine connection with the person means validating the conversation you’ve had.What can you do for them?
Reciprocity is fine, but see what you can do for someone else before you ask them to do something for them. Thinking about what this may be, really tends to focus your attention on the conversation and remember what has been said.Networking is about getting to know people in your profession. Building these good connections may help you get a job in the company, build new friendships and people who could help you further your career. One final piece of advice - the first step in networking is to get out and make a start!
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