Career Track Tuesday: Networking

Where to network:

• Online or through your friends/colleagues 
• Event hosts such as Eventbrite - Glug
• Junior Chamber of Commerce
• Yorkshire Mafia
• Leeds Arts University events

Pre-networking prep

• See where the event is and plan how long it would take to get there.
• Get an invite list of people that are attending if possible and research a little about them and set yourself a goal e.g. talk to 5 people.

Be curious - display this by thinking about your body language and look approachable.

A simple conversation opener would be "What brings you here tonight?" 

Elevator pitch

• Who do you work with? What do you do? What particular skills do you possess?

Visualise the topics that they have been talking about on their body to make it easier to remember. Find connections and similar values. Ask questions and as them to elaborate what they are talking about.

Have filler questions and make hem open-ended

• What clients are you working with at the moment?
• What do you love the most about your job?
• What other networking events have you been to/recommend?

Moving to other groups

• "I'm going to get another drink"
• "Do you have a business card so that we can connect?"
• "Sorry, I've just seen something that I really need to speak to. Do you mind if I go to speak to them?"
• "Do you know anyone from this event?"

Follow up (email, LinkedIn etc...):

'Hi. It was nice meeting you last night, I hope you don't mind if we connect and stay in touch.'