Whether you want to gain access to someone in authority, get a promotion or switch jobs, you are going to need good networking skills.
Who should network?
Don’t be fooled into thinking that networking is the preserve of slick, over-confident executives.
“It’s not about joining the golf club or getting involved in activities that you are not suited to. It’s a natural process and some of the best networkers are shy people, they just follow a few rules,” says Hilton Catt, career consultant and author of The Power of Networking.
The first thing to consider is who you want to include within your network group.
Select your group
Your group can include a range of people who will help you in your career. They could be existing colleagues, people you’ve worked with in the past, or work-related acquaintances. Don’t exclude people you met at college or university or those you meet on courses.
The idea of networking is that it is two-way traffic. You will want to call on them for favours and you must be prepared for them to do likewise. You should know them well and be confident that you can rely on them.
Catt warns: “If anyone proves to be unreliable or lets you down, drop them like a hot brick because they’ve got the potential to do you damage.”
Do network with:
- People who can influence your career in a positive way
- People who are honest and reliable
People for whom you would stake your reputation on giving them a reference
Don’t network with:
- People you don’t know
- People who let you down
- People with whom you have no common interest or shared experience
Networking etiquette
Professionalism is the key to networking etiquette. It’s about being positive, polite and reliable.
1. Be positive
Image is everything and you need to portray a positive and professional front to your network group whenever you meet.
“What stands out about a person, even if you meet them briefly, is how they handle themselves. Try to be positive at all times, even if you are not feeling it inside,” says Chris Sheppardson, managing director of recruitment consultancy Chess Partnership.
Another golden rule is to avoid gossip. Bad-mouthing other people gives the wrong impression and might lead your networking colleagues to wonder what you are saying about them behind their back. Equally, it won’t do your image any good to tell people about unpleasant things about yourself.
- Don’t bad mouth people
- Avoid gossip
- Don’t reveal your dark secrets
2. Be polite
There is no excuse for rudeness. If someone calls you, make sure you call them back.
You know how it feels if someone doesn’t return your call, or forgets a request you have made. It makes you feel unwanted and unimportant.
Simple routines can make a big difference to forming a stronger bond between you and members of your network group.
- Have the time of day for people
- If you have recently met up with someone, send them an e-mail the next day to say how nice it was to see them.
Keep in touch with regular phone calls. You can call on a pretext of telling them about something that is happening within the industry that they might be interested in
3. Be reliable
If you want to be considered a professional, then you must be reliable and do things when you say you are going to. You will not only command greater respect from your peers but you will also have the right to expect the same in return.
Also, make sure the members of your network know where to contact you, particularly if you change jobs or change your telephone number.
- Do things when you say you will
- Turn up on time
Update contact details
Networking for a new job
The most important thing you can do if you are gearing yourself up for a job change is to make yourself visible.
Sheppardson believes that getting out and about into the market and meeting people, as well as keeping in touch with your regular network group, can pay dividends. “It’s about putting yourself in front of people, the impression you create and the follow-up,” he says.
Where to network
Any work-related event should be seen as an opportunity to network and meet new contacts. It may be an informal social event or an industry conference or association meeting. Getting involved in committees and putting yourself or your team forward for awards are all ways to expand your group of contacts.
Working the room
To some, there is nothing more daunting than being in a room full of people, many of whom look quite at ease flitting from one group to another. However, you will probably find that you will know at least a couple of people, who in turn will introduce you to their acquaintances.
As you go to more of these events, you will soon find you have a lot of people to get around.ﾠ In these situations, you have to become the master of the one-minute conversation, says Sheppardson.
He advises:
- Say hello to someone, even if you have only met them once before
- Be calm and relaxed
- Don’t be pushy
- Ask about them or their business, make them feel important
Follow-up theﾠnext day with an e-mail
by Christina Golding
www.caterer.com
