Networking isn't improvised, it's organized! |
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A brief chat about gardening with a neighbour can be improvised, but a networking conversation must be carefully planned. First you must define your career objective. Your network will then act as an advisor or expert who will provide all the connections to help you succeed.
A good networking plan
- Define the professional field that matches your background and interests. Print media and the Internet can be good sources of information.
- Ask those close to you (family, friends, etc.) if they know people who work or have worked in this field.
- List the contacts who will help you to reach your goal, progress more quickly, learn more about your field of interest and meet people who are well-positioned in this field (expert, department head, human resources manager, etc.).
- Write your contacts' names and prioritize them based on what they can contribute to you. Group them by category: their connection to the field, the nature of your relationship, their expertise, their networks, etc. You can come up with your own criteria based on the value of your contacts.
- Prepare a 30 to 60 second Personal Pitch. This verbal information has three objectives:
• describe what it is you are trying to do,
• explain what you expect from this person and
• get their attention.
To practice: rehearse the pitch and assess the impact of your words. You may also test it on friends and family. Ask them what they think and what needs to improve in order to reach your goal. - Prepare your "self-marketing tools": business cards, CV, cover letters, etc. Send them out!
Additional tips...
- Express your gratitude. Send a thank you e-mail within 24 hours of a meeting.
- Be clear about what you want from your networking contacts.
- Create simple business cards with no frills; your full contact details are all you need.
- Stay in touch. Keep interested contacts informed about the progress of your project or job search.
- Volunteering, part-time jobs and temporary work are activities that help with networking. These are ways to learn more about a field or sector and to meet new people.
- Professional associations are full of avid networkers whom you'll meet at gatherings, forums and conferences.
- Networking can take place anywhere and at any time of the day or night. Be prepared!