top 10 networking ideas

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Hello my name is… Top 10 networking tips to boost your new career

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Page 1: Top 10 networking ideas

Hellomy name is…Top 10 networking tips to boost your new career

Page 2: Top 10 networking ideas

What is networking?Networking is all about making connections and building relationships to develop professional and social contacts with whom you can exchange information.

Did you know you already have a network? It contains all the people you have met both in person and online: friends, family, co-workers, classmates, lecturers and past employers.

We want to provide you with the tools to go out there and meet even more people to add to your network to help you launch your new career in the direction you really want.

Here are the top 10 tools to expand your network to help launch your new career.

Page 3: Top 10 networking ideas

Why network?It’s WHAT you know and WHO you know that will most often help you get that great job.

Many jobs are never advertised. They get filled by word-of-mouth and the more senior the position, the more often it happens this way.

If the job is advertised, it helps to know someone employed by the organisation to give you inside knowledge that will help you when applying.

Page 4: Top 10 networking ideas

Have a plan If you are truly interested in increasing the possibility of getting the job you want, then you need to have a networking plan. It’s simple.

• Write a list of who you want to contact and why.

• Look at the best ways to make connection with these people: phone, face-to-face, networking events or LinkedIn.

• Set yourself realistic goals on how many people you are going to meet each month.

PrepareThink about what you want to say and do some research. It can make all the difference when you meet your contacts.

• Understand why you’re contacting each person, what your opening line will be, and what else you’re going to say to engage him or her.

• If the person you phone doesn’t pick up, know the message you want to leave.

• Visit the company’s website to learn more ahead of time.

Three trusty topicsBefore you meet a contact, think of three trusty topics you can discuss when you’re feeling uncomfortable and can’t think of anything else to say. Here are a few hypothetical ideas to get you started.

• Have you been to the new Comfy Café? I hear their coffee is fantastic.

• I’m looking forward to going to the Berry Festival this year. Are you going along?

• I’ve just started working on a new project about XYZ. It’s really exciting to see the benefits it will bring to small communities.

• Did you hear we are expecting a heatwave next week?

A word of warning: make sure it’s not something controversial or that may offend. That means no religion, politics or sex!

Page 5: Top 10 networking ideas

It all starts with ‘hello’• When you meet someone, shake their hand. • Try to remember their name – when introduced, repeat their name

out loud and then say it in your head a few times. • If there’s silence after you’ve introduced yourself, ask a question.

For example ‘Where do you work?’ or ‘What does your company do?’

• This is your chance to make a positive impression on potential employers, so tell them about yourself and what your career ambitions are.

• Listen to what the other person is saying and maintain appropriate eye contact.

• If you had a great conversation, offer to exchange business cards.• When leaving a conversation, say thank you and smile!

Ask questionsPeople love to talk about themselves including the person you are connecting with, so go ahead and ask the person you’re connecting with some open-ended questions (questions that require more than a yes or no). For example:

• How long have you been with the company? • What were you doing before this role?• What do you enjoy most about your job?• Where were you working previously?• Who else should I be talking to about what is happening in the

industry?• What professional association meetings should I attend?Make sure you listen and you’ll be able to respond appropriately and learn. You may also find some common ground.

Page 6: Top 10 networking ideas

Be your professional selfOne of the best things you can do when building relationships with new contacts is to always be yourself (your professional self that is). Give them an insight (not a monologue) into who you are and what you’re doing.

Be positive! People respond much more favourably to you if you have a positive attitude.

Conquering networking events• Contact the event organiser before the event to get a heads-up on

what types of people will be attending.• Arrive on time – it’s much easier to enter a room when there is a

smaller group of people. As others arrive they will be more likely to approach you.

• Try to connect with as many people as you can and don’t pre-judge people by their looks. You never know who they are or what they might become.

• Trying to approach an individual or group? When walking past, use eye contact and catch someone’s eye and then smile. This opens the opportunity to introduce yourself and start a conversation.

• Introduce yourself to the event organisers and make sure you thank them for the event before you leave. Never underestimate the networks that networking event organisers have. This is a great opportunity to make a positive impression. And, it’s simply good manners to thank them!

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Out of your comfort zone?If the word networking makes you break out in a cold sweat, these tips might help.

Tip: Don’t call it networking. Making connections and talking to people about their interests is what it’s all about, so call it ‘making connections’ or something similar.

Tip: Safety in numbers. If you just can’t go to a networking event alone, take a classmate or work colleague. You can’t stand there the whole time talking to them but at least you can meet their networks and will have someone to talk to when you need a break.

Don’t ask for a jobYou are not in a job interview so don’t ask for a job! Instead, ask about the company, what it does, how it recruits, how big the team is in your career area. Be interested in the person and the company. You never know where this contact may lead you in the future.

Say thank youAlways thank your contact at the end of your meeting. It’s even better if you can also post them a short written thank you note. If you can’t post a note, then email will be fine.

Don’t forget to also thank the person who gave you the contact in the first place.

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CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 29.3.2 11.2015 Graphics © Shutterstock

social.usq.edu.au

What next?Always remember why you are doing this – to create opportunities and increase the possibility of you getting that great job you want.

If you want to speak with someone about networking and the opportunities available at USQ, then make sure you contact a USQ Career Development Practitioner at Student Services in-person, over the phone or via email.

So get out there and meet some people! We believe in you and so should you.

“A simple hello can lead to a million things.”