Why would you choose to network?
Networking is all about meeting people and widening your circle of contacts. It’s not just for professionals; anyone can benefit from building connections. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, seeking advice, or simply wanting to meet new people, networking can open doors to valuable opportunities. You’ll gain knowledge, insights, and advice from others, and you might be able to offer helpful information in return. By building long-lasting connections, you’ll have a network of people to call upon in the future.
Tips on how to network
1) Start where you feel confident
The best place to start consciously making connections is where you are already confident. This could be social media platforms you use often, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. You can build up your confidence by reaching out to a few relevant people on these platforms. You can start by contacting people you already know, but that you haven’t reached out to in a while. Then replicate what you’ve learnt to branch out and try new platforms or attend an in-person event.
2) Be prepared
It can be useful to prepare a few questions or points of discussion if you know you’ll be in an environment to network. As a starting point, consider what you’d like to happen as a result of your conversations. Once you’ve determined what you want to learn, you can use the answer to shape questions. Try using open questions that spark deeper conversations; e.g. instead of asking ‘what do you do?’ you could ask ‘what’s the most valuable part of your work?’.
3) Know your worth
Prepare a ‘pitch’ for yourself; a summary of who you are, what you do and where you’d like to be. Use this to remind yourself of your key skills and strengths. Having a pitch prepared means you’re always ready to engage in a networking chat. You may also want to rehearse your answers to common questions you may encounter. This way, you’ll feel confident in your delivery.
4) Continue the connection
It’s good to keep a record of who you’ve spoken to and some memorable details so that your efforts don’t go to waste. After you’ve met someone of interest, don’t be shy about following up with them and be clear with your request. You can research people you’ve met on LinkedIn. Personalise your connection invite to remind them of any offers you discussed.
5) Brush up your LinkedIn profile
LinkedIn is a key online platform for professional networking. It’s worth putting in the time to ensure your profile is complete and represents who you are. If you’re looking for work, make sure you know that you’re open to work on your profile. You can click the option to ‘share with recruiters only’ if you wish. You’re more likely to be noticed by recruiters if you’ve selected being open to work.
Draft a compelling summary for your profile which encapsulates your career accomplishments and aspirations. It’s your story; feel free to highlight your unique talents and what you want to contribute. Key words are important on LinkedIn, so make sure you’ve included your key skills and used active verbs.
Want to meet other young women who may have similar experiences to you? Join The Lounge, our private Facebook group. It’s open to all young women aged 18 to 30 living in England and Wales who have experience of living on low or no pay.
