Use networking to build your career

Lucy Kippist

Talk to anyone who has made it to the top of their career and they will tell you that “networking” is one of the keys to their success.

Recent research conducted by business consultancy BConsulted shows the ability to network is a crucial part of any job.

“From General Manager down, all jobs require networking yet most universities don’t teach you how to do it,” said Julia Palmer, BConsulted’s CEO.

Ms Palmer says networking will maximise graduates’ “visibility” and “increase their chance of being hired” .

Do your homework

Before applying for a job Ms Palmer advises thoroughly researching the company you want to work for.

“Scan their website and attend all the advertised events and opening nights. It’s not good enough to just send off a resume,” said Ms Palmer.

Career columnist, blogger and Editor of CareerOne.com.au Kate Southam says professional and industry associations are a great way to start building a network of people who can make a difference to your career.

“Many associations offer low cost or even free membership to university students and then graduates,” Ms Southam said. [See the CareerOne table of associations below]

“Go to association events, get involved with their projects, approach a more experienced member and ask if he or she would mentor you.”

“When applying for jobs, it is always a good idea to find someone who has worked for that particular organisation. Hiring managers have told me many times how a graduate impressed them by telling them at interview that they had talked to someone working at the organisation.

“You can ask a friend of a friend or a friend of your parents, a relative, neighbour whomever you find. However, being part of an association could certainly help you find the right person to talk to so you can show you have gone beyond just visiting a website in researching the company you will interview with,” Ms Southam said.

Use your contacts

For “˜fresh graduates’ university alumni programs are also a great way to meet people who matter.

“Who you know makes all the difference to learning about a job opportunity, or being head-hunted,” said Lea Sublet, Deputy Director of the University of Queensland alumni.

Depending on your university, registration for alumni programs can be found on your university website and membership is usually very low cost or free.

Online alumni programs are also becoming popular and according to Ms Sublet provide “far broader opportunities for a university to support its alumni” .

See networking as an opportunity to develop “˜you’

Once you have landed a job, Ms Palmer says it’s important to continue your networking and attend every staff event, function or meeting.

“Networks are personal, they are about building your social capital, not your employer’s, so seek out opportunities and get involved,” Ms Palmer said.

Get involved

All the experts agree that simply joining an association, attending an industry event or showing up at an alumni do is just the first step.

Career-minded grads should then make the effort to introduce themselves to people and find a way to get involved.

Once you have a job, the same advice applies ““ get to know people and get involved.

“Don’t just sit with your mates at a meeting. Approach someone you don’t know and say hello,” Ms Palmer said.

“CEO’s, in particular, enjoy talking to graduates. Graduates symbolise fresh thinking and your opinion will be considered a huge asset to the company.”

Ms Palmer says that if you are feeling nervous, don’t feel pressured to come up with some work-worthy topic just “be neutral” .

“Talk about the weather or what you did on the weekend. The important thing is to make yourself known and let people put a “˜face to a name’,” she said.

Costs of joining a professional association