Network Like A Boss: Tips on Mastering Your Next Networking Event
Networking is a valuable practice, and often essential for your career development. The connections that you build and maintain from networking can not only help you land a job or internship, but it can improve various aspects of your professional growth. Networking improves your confidence, helps you remain updated on the latest trends and news in your field, meet potential new employers or clients, and gain access to resources, advice and insights in the sector.
Although many benefits come from networking events, it can be daunting! WIAD has put together a list of our best networking tips to help you improve for your next event!
Before the event
Acquaint yourself with the type or theme of the event, and the sort of people in attendance. Think about what you know about the theme already (e.g. young or early-career professionals in international affairs, women volunteering in the aid and development sector), and gaps in your knowledge. Have questions or conversation-starters on the topic prepared to guide conversations.
Ensure your social media is up-to-date, and be mindful of your online presence. Maintaining your social media profiles (especially LinkedIn) with relevant information about your experiences, skills and ideas will make sure your networking connections can see what you have to offer.
Memorize introductory phrases about yourself in order to come across as confident, and ensure you do not falter when asked ‘what you do’ or ‘who you are’. This need only be a few lines or a 30 second pitch communicating your role or interests. Practice ahead of time!
During the event
Take notice of your body language, and be present in the conversation. The point of networking is not to sell yourself, but to build a mutually beneficial relationship. If you focus too hard on what to say next or trying to sound more interesting, you may end up missing social cues or not hear what the other person is saying. Show that you are engaged and actively listening to them by standing straight, keeping eye contact, nodding, and smiling. Think of the interaction as a learning opportunity and an exchange of experiences and advice!
Don’t be afraid to ‘move on’ from a conversation. Flow between people and conversations to ensure you are making the best of the event. Remain polite, and avoid leaving a conversation abruptly or without excusing yourself; end a conversation with ‘It was great meeting/talking to you’.
Practice self-love and try to not be intimidated. International aid and development is a large field, with people hailing from different backgrounds, experiences, qualifications and skills. It can be easy to feel intimidated by someone else in a senior position or someone with extensive experiences/skills, but remind yourself that you are equally worthy in attending the network event; take the opportunity to learn from them rather than comparing yourself.
Remember it is a marathon, not a race. Do not ask someone outright for a job or internship at the networking event; you will most often need to build rapport with them first. Rely on the quality of a professional connection rather than the quantity; just because you meet someone at an event, does not mean you will instantly get a job from them. Take the time to foster a mutually beneficial relationship.
After the event
Follow up with a connection within 24 hours for the best effect. This is best done by connecting with them on LinkedIn and Twitter, and sending a personalised message. Alternatively, if you procured their contact information during the event, you may email, send a letter or call their office. When sending your message, ensure it is tailored to the conversation or topic that you spoke about at the event. By doing this, you are prompting their memory of you, and avoiding a standard template message that is overused and not original.
Practice makes perfect! The more networking events that you attend and professional relationships that you build, the more confident you will feel. Don’t be disheartened if it takes time to land a position from these events straight away. You can utilize these professional connections for years to come if you foster them right. The best way to improve your networking skills is to give it a go!