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HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF TO EMPLOYERS
Networking for Success Networking can be pretty confusing: Where do you start? What do you do? Where do you even go? Here are some ideas for you to explore!
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s a graduate jobseeker, you have probably already heard of your fair share of seniors, peers and career advisors chanting: “Network, network, network if you want to succeed!” Yet, ironically, networking events can be incredibly daunting, turning even the most eloquent of us into awkward stutterers. After all, aside from the need to obtain information from new acquaintances, you are also pressured to juggle building new connections, strengthen old ones and maintain a professional image in front of potential employers. With so much multitasking going on – and with your future at stake, too – it is understandable why you may find yourself getting anxious during such events.
“How do I start a conversation with someone?”, “Can I join that group who started their conversation fifteen minutes ago, or would it be rude?”, “Wow, that is a big shot CEO – should I even approach him for a conversation?” and “Ack, awkward pause – what do I say now?!” are some very common thoughts that can quickly overwhelm you. That said, the rewards you reap from good networking are definitely worth the effort it takes to overcome all this apprehension! Here are some tips to help you boost your networking skills.
Prepare and practise Networking is not something that comes naturally to anyone, not even the most extroverted of us. Instead, it is a learnable skill that requires constant practice. Of course, that is not to say that you should start talking to your reflection in the mirror! Most of your contacts can typically be divided into the following categories: • Casual networks: Contacts who you have met at open networking events or mixed industry events • Knowledge networks: Contacts from professional associations that cater to the improvement and regulation of a specific industry • Strong contact networks: Contacts from groups established exclusively for building professional relationships • Online networks: Contacts who you know from social media platforms Use these categories as a guideline to help you expand your networks. But remember: You do not necessarily need to collect contacts in all four categories to succeed in your job search. Instead, expand the different categories according to the need of your desired job.
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For example, if you are looking for employment as a social media strategist, you might find it more beneficial to have more contacts from the knowledge and online networks instead of casual networks. Alternatively, marketing people might find the opposite to be more useful. Flex your interaction and networking muscles with any of these contacts as you will be using the same skills! The ability to make small talk is also a crucial skill that you will need to have when networking. You can start by practising with friends, people you meet during student club activities, or recruiters at career fairs. Try to keep abreast of current issues as they are good conversation starters. When in doubt, ask the other party questions about themselves. We all love talking about ourselves, after all! Your university’s careers services centre may also organise workshops or courses on how to network successfully. These events are almost always free to current students, so why not attend one or two to clock in some hours of guided practice? Start early because you cannot learn how to be a good networker overnight. It takes plenty of trial-and-error to find an approach that works best for you. Ultimately, it is all about rehearsing to the point that you are confident enough to carry a conversation during any networking session while still being yourself.
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