Why Should I Bother with Networking?
Success often hinges on your ability to effectively market not just your business, but yourself. In today’s dynamic and interconnected world, where networking reigns supreme and connections are paramount, the benefits of building and nurturing relationships within your industry remain crucial.
By actively engaging in networking, you open doors to exciting opportunities. Networking allows you to establish rapport with like-minded professionals, exchange valuable insights, and stay informed of industry trends. Furthermore, the advantages of networking extend beyond mere transactions; it fosters a supportive community where collaboration thrives, enabling you to tap into diverse perspectives and resources that can fuel your growth and success.
What are the Best Practices in Networking?
Prepare Before the Networking Event
Consider what you’re trying to achieve before attending the event. Are you trying to broaden your network? Get a new job?
Who is your target audience? Often you can access a list of attendees, at least on a company level, preceding the event–give it a read, and make note of who you’d especially like to talk to.
Pick a tangential niche; sounds very scientific but basically how can you talk about work-related interests without talking directly about work? What interests or hobbies do you have that at least loosely connect to your occupation?
Get that elevator pitch ready and raring to go! An elevator speech is essentially a 15-45 second professional summation of yourself, which should act to spark further conversation. The key elements of any EP are:
- Quick introduction: who are you, and what do you do? Be engaging, hook ‘em in
- Sum up experience/qualifications & career goals: what are your specialisms, what qualifies you as a person to KNOW
- Highlight unique qualities: what shared interests or extensive knowledge area do you share with the individual? What about your job do you LOVE to talk about?
- Ask a question/Ending line to provoke action: For example: “If you have some time, I would love to meet with you in person to hear more about your organization.” Or, you can say something like, “Would you be able to put me in contact with the person in charge of business development so I can tell them more about what I can offer your company?”
Be Mindful of Networking Etiquettes During the Event
Concision is Key: the shorter your interaction, typically the better. 5-10 minutes is the ideal duration. You’re just trying to spark a connection, and to enable some form of follow up, not make up for decades of never having spoken to them–chill.
Focus on the connection, not the sale. Being all business will irritate people, trust us. Show people throughout that they’re not just another LinkedIn add to your collection; learn about them, actively listen, and be personable.
Break away from your comfort zone. Not to be peak, but if you came with someone else you should probably ditch them (mutually of course) asap–the purpose of networking events is not to cement your friendships or hang out with the people you see everyday. Get chatting, and go it solo.
General social etiquette–makes sense right? Don’t bombard people with your business card, don’t ambush anyone at the entrance or the snack table. Be confident and approachable but not aggressive.
Look for ways to pay it forward. What we mean by this is to look out for opportunities to connect others with shared interests/objectives from the event–”hey, ____, have you had a chance to speak to ____ yet?”. Easy.
Have a Solid Follow-up Plan Ready
It’s not over until it’s over. And those new connections won’t nurture themselves. Ensure you have a solid follow-up plan after making the first impression. Will you add them on LinkedIn with a personalised message? Pop them an email to arrange a coffee or a meeting? Just message them to say ‘It was lovely meeting you at ____ yesterday, hope to catch up again soon.’
Why Choose ARM?
At ARM, we understand the significance of securing your dream job and the challenges that come with the job-seeking process. As a leading recruitment agency with years of experience, we stand out for several compelling reasons:
Expertise: Our team of seasoned recruiters possesses extensive knowledge across various industries and job sectors. We leverage this expertise to identify the best job opportunities tailored to your unique skills and preferences.
Personalised Guidance: We believe in forging strong connections with our candidates. Our personalised approach ensures that we understand your career aspirations, strengths, and areas for development, allowing us to guide you effectively through every step of the job search.
Vast Network: ARM has developed an extensive network of top employers and companies, giving you access to a diverse range of job openings. This network allows us to match you with employers that align with your professional goals.
Interview Preparation: Our dedication to your success goes beyond connecting you with job openings. We provide comprehensive interview preparation, offering valuable tips, insights, and mock interviews to boost your confidence and performance during the real interview.
Long-term Support: Our commitment to your career doesn’t end after you secure a job. We maintain long-term relationships with our candidates, ensuring ongoing support and assistance to help you excel in your chosen role.
Confidentiality: We understand the importance of privacy in job-seeking endeavours. Rest assured, all your personal information and job search details are treated with the utmost confidentiality and discretion.
Choosing ARM means entrusting your career goals to a dedicated team that will be with you every step of the way. Let us guide you towards a successful and rewarding professional journey.
