Network for Opportunity
Learn how to network for successful career management
What is networking
Networking is a two-way process that involves reaching out for help but also offering help. Networking
is about building relationships and connecting with people: people you know well, people you don’t
know that well and people you don’t know at all. Do you know that everyone networks? If you need an
electrician to come to your home, you may talk to your network of family and friends, and ask for
advice, if they know of an electrician. We network frequently but don’t think of it as networking.
Networking is responsible for up to 85% of all jobs and because 70-80% of all jobs aren’t advertised,
networking is critical in career management.
Why network for career management
It helps you get your message out of who you are and what you do.
It helps you gather industry information.
It helps you meet insiders/peers at target companies.
It helps you get in touch with decision makers and use the information you gathered for an
effective conversation.
Prepare to network
Branding Statement Marketing Materials
Who you are and what you do. Marketing plan, SOAR stories.
Exit statement.
Target Market
Networking business cards/email signature.
Industry? Function? Size? Location?
Leverage Contacts
Core Message
Create a system to easily store and find
What do you offer your next employer?
contacts.
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Some of the ways to network
Catch up with old friends, Unplanned meetings, bumping
acquaintances, ex-colleagues. into people.
Group networking events, e.g.,
Formal meetings with those alumni associations, trade/industry
referred to you, hiring managers. meetings or events, local business
networking groups.
Non-business-related group
Other meetings with
events/meetings, e.g., local clubs or
passive or dormant contacts.
societies.
Create a list of contacts
Former College Customers and
colleagues alumni vendors
Community
Professional
Friends and volunteer
associations
contacts
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Network virtually
Top three platforms:
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter
Expand your network
Use social media
Join professional bodies Join JSWT if eligible
Attend career fairs Take a course
Use D&B Hoovers for research Volunteer
Set a goal of 3-5 informal conversations per week
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The SMART way to network
Summarise Professional objective, positioning and exit statement.
Marketing plan Describe your marketing plan when appropriate.
Ask questions Ask about organisations on your target list.
Referrals Ask for introductions.
Trade information Give your conversation partner some useful information.
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Elevator pitch
An elevator pitch is a brief statement of who you are and what you are best at. Imagine that you
bumped into someone in an elevator/lift and had only a few minutes to convince them to hire you.
Your positioning statement can be used for more in-depth networking conversations and at
interviews.
Brief and memorable
Skills and potential benefit to the organisation
Includes a personal goal
Practice your pitch!
Your elevator pitch can also be used when reaching out to a contact.
I was wondering if you would be willing to have a conversation and share some of
Call to action your knowledge of this industry with me? Would you be free next week for a quick call
to chat?
I read your posts on Edtech in the STEM education forum and they were really
What you do thought provoking! I’ve interned for a few start-ups in this space, and am excited about
my next steps ‒ but I could use some guidance from someone with your experience.
I am currently doing some research on the science, technology, engineering and
Summary
maths education industry, as I am interested in working in this area.
Hi John, how are you? It’s nice to be introduced. Steve Browne suggested that I
Introduction
contact you.
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When reaching out on LinkedIn/social media
Reaching out on LinkedIn:
Erica, your professional journey really stood out to me. I’m very interested in
building my career as a [role]. Since you’ve been in that position, would you have
some time to offer me a bit of advice on pursuing this? I would really appreciate a
brief call at your convenience.
Tips when reaching out to contacts
Mention something about your contact in your outreach; have they just been promoted, have they
published or shared an interesting article on social media, have they recently been given an
award?
When reaching out to a recruiter or hiring manager who don’t currently have any suitable jobs, ask
if you can keep in touch; contact them again in a couple of weeks in case anything suitable has
come in.
Steps after a networking meeting
1. Evaluate 2. Send a 3. Stay
your meeting thank-you connected
email
Did you act as a Use social media.
resource? Email or LinkedIn Vary contact
Did you ask for message. methods.
referrals? Include any helpful Let connections
How could your information in the know when you get
networking improve? note. a job.
Did your questions Leverage another
gain the right potential meeting.
information?
If you have any questions about LHH webinars, please send an email to [email protected].
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