Ten Tips to Increase Your Networking Capability

by Heather Wheeler

With today’s technology and boom in the use of social media websites networking has never been as easy or indeed as crucial as it is now, as an established relationship can make you stand out against the competition.  But it’s not enough just to register with social media websites or groups, we need to be active, competitive and effective in our use of them.  As Edward de Bono famously quoted “if you wait for opportunities to occur, you will be one of the crowd”.

According to research and through my own professional experience as a consultant/trainer in careers and career management 65-70% of jobs are gained through personal referrals or networking connections.  So how can we improve on our networking capability?  

1.    Maintain relationships by staying in touch with people you know or get back in touch with people you know preferably before you have to…nothing worse than going to someone just because you are desperate

2.    Join every networking club / group / association in your field and attend as many networking events as you can.  Be an active member and contribute appropriately to blogs and meetings.  Ensure your professional profiles on social websites are complete, effective and specific

3.    Prior to attending organised networking events ensure that you do your homework on the individual or organisations of interest that way you can break the ice when you introduce yourself  with something you know of them such as: I see  from your linked in profile that you used to work for xyz…how did you make the change?

4.    If you are new to a networking group consider asking questions such as: How does my CV look? What would you change or modify? Do you have any advice or ideas for me? Who else should I be talking to? Are there any groups or organizations I should attend? Are there any books or publications I should read? What would you do if you were me? Who would you be talking to?

5.    Talk to people, introduce yourself; ask questions and treat every chance meeting in the wine bar, bus stop, or party as a networking opportunity.  Very recently a client of mine gained a fantastic job opportunity talking to someone he didn’t know whilst at a Wake!

6.    Learn how to market yourself, rehearse your story, practice your presentation of skills and back them up with your experience

7.    Keep a record of the events you attend and people you speak to perhaps record a short brief of the conversation.  Keep in touch and build on new relationships and trust will follow…consider sending a follow up letter/email to individuals stating how much you enjoyed meeting them and thanking them for their time or advice etc.

8.    Keep a copy of a targeted CV, or portfolio with you at meetings and hand out business cards.

9.    Gain a Mentor

10.   Keep in touch with your Career Consultant if you have one and seek appropriate advice and guidance

Once you have the job that you want it is imperative that you don’t stop networking, think of it as gaining credibility within your chosen field and creating future opportunities.

This article was written for www.NetworkingDates.com by Heather Wheeler – a Career Consultant who has been coaching service leavers and other professionals in an advice and guidance capacity for over 11 years.  Highly regarded by her peers and clientele alike, Heather is contactable via her LinkedIn profile.