Networking Skills for International Students Presentation by Ellen O’Brien International Careers Consultant [email protected]
• Defining career networking
• Why network?
• What’s your networking strategy?
• Tactics for networking
• Your next steps to becoming expert networkers • Resources
Aims of the session
How do you feel about networking?
• What do you think employers want from international students?
• Discuss in groups
Employers want…
• Experience of working in the UK • Excellent language skills • A range of transferable skills
(employability) • Cultural awareness and adaptability • Creative and targeted job hunting • Effective applications
1. Information for decision-making, opportunity sourcing and applications
2. A connection to opportunities for skill development, work experience, business, your next job and future promotion
3. Reciprocal relationship allows you to share your experience and contacts and give to others
4. An essential tool for career entry and career management throughout our lives
5. Over half of all jobs are found through networking channels
Why we all need to network
What is networking? What it isn’t • Meeting one-off contacts who get you something • A drawer full of business cards • Making direct approaches with a request for jobs
What it is • Building strong, lasting relationships • Using existing skills in focused way • Making the most of arranged and chance meetings • Following up your contacts • Being prepared to play the long game
Definition of networking?
Networking is building and developing mutually
beneficial relationships
Identifying your current network using a
network map
My network
Previous colleagues
Students
Professional bodies
Work contacts
Family
University Careers events
Clubs & societies Staff
Extended
Immediate Current
practitioners
Friends
Local community
Suppliers
Current colleagues
Customers
Local branch Social
networking
Linked-in Facebook
Courses & events
Spend 3 minutes creating your own simple network map
Activity
My network
Explore opportunities for connecting people in your network to each other
Look for contact ‘clusters’ – connected groups that could
benefit from being introduced to each other Identify your ‘connectors’ who can act as
mediators/matchmakers for people with mutual interests
Using your network map
Good relationship
Know
Like
Trust
Be open & genuine about who you are, what interests you – back it up!
Don’t be pushy – ask open questions Actively listen to the other person – take
an interest Show that you’ve prepared for the event
That you will behave decently if provided with a contact/given
advice – act on it professionally
How NOT to build your know, like, trust factor
To a company: What do you do then? What job can you offer me? Can I give you my CV to pass onto HR? To alumni: Can you get me a job in your organisation?
Can you look at my CV? To professional bodies: Can you send my CV to your membership?
How to build your know, like, trust factor
To a company: I’m interested in…. sector/industry because….I have achieved/completed …. What advice do you have for me about how I could boost my CV and increase my chances of getting in?
To alumni: I’m interested that you got into this profession through…. route and it’s something I hadn’t considered. I have achieved/completed…. would you recommend the route that you took for me?
How to build your know,
like, trust factor
How to build your know,
like, trust factor To professional bodies: I’m not a member of….however I was reading your website yesterday and have seen some really good local events such as…. that would help me because…. Is it possible for me to attend….Who would I need to contact?
Prepare your Elevator Pitch
How to build your know, like, trust factor
• Professional bodies • Industry/sector events (eg branch events, training courses) • Course-organised external input (eg guest lecturers,
industry experts) • On campus careers events – fairs, presentations, drop-ins • Networking organisations (eg AIESEC, Chambers of
Commerce, networking clubs) • Student networking opportunities (eg student societies,
sports clubs, syndicate groups) • Social events and if working.. • Colleagues, customers, suppliers and networking events
Opportunities for Networking
Networking groups
• Usually focus on promoting business products/services or social networking sites
• Often run by industry bodies, professional organisations, networking clubs
• How does membership fit in with your networking goals?
Career networking in the virtual community
• Key components include blogs, online forums/chat-rooms, social networking websites and business/professional websites
• Fundamental difference from face-to-face networking is that social networking allows you to stay on periphery, observing discussion and transactions
1. Define your goals prior to each prearranged networking opportunity - Who? What can you share? What do you hope to gain?
2. Research the individual and organisation prior to approach
3. Keep records of contacts made and action agreed
4. Follow-up your network contacts – keep them informed
Networking tactics
• If you arrived with someone, split up • Introduce yourself • Be prepared to remember names • Start with positive subjects • Ask questions to show a keen interest • Gather positive information about individuals that
you can bring back into a conversation later • Be prepared to make personal disclosures • Be prepared to introduce others and broker
connections • Use a clear and short statement to close the
conversation, agreeing any follow-up
How to behave in networking situations
• We are all doing it already – but we may need to be doing it more effectively and in a more planned way
• For some it comes naturally, for others we need to work at it
• Effective career networking needs a positive mindset, applying the skills we already have, a strategy and a set of tactics
• Avoid network overload – create, develop and maintain the networks that really matter
Putting networking into practice
Last year’s event
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JIkjLDPeoc
Elevator Speech
• Hook/Introduction
• 3 USPs
• Outcome?
Elevator Speech
• Preparation • First Impressions • Introduction • Business Cards • Be positive • Build relationships • Look for opportunities • Remember • Maintain your network
Top Tips!
Now it’s your turn!
Someone who shares your career goal
Someone who has a similar hobby/interest
Someone who has developed a new skill since
starting their course at Birmingham
Someone who has had a good networking experience
before
Someone who has achieved something outside of their
studies
Someone who can help you in some way with your
career goal
Name………………………………
Name………………………………
Name……………………………… Name………………………………
Name………………………………
Name………………………………
Ty and speak to at least two people. Find out their names. Introduce yourself, get the conversation going and fill out their name against the matching box
Print: Brilliant Networking (2008), Pearson Prentice-Hall, Harlow Vault Guide to Schmoozing (2001), Lerner M et al, New York Video: Can I have a few minutes of your time, AGCAS, 1997 Websites: www.brilliantnetworking.net www.businessnetworking.co.uk www.questcareer.com/networking_skills.htm www.linkedin.com [email protected]
Career networking – key resources