goldsmiths careers service 1 networking for the shy and nervous karen gui careers consultant...

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GOLDSMITHS CAREERS SERVICE

Networking for the Shy and Nervous

Karen Gui

Careers ConsultantGoldsmiths Careers Service

14 Nov 2012

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Aims

1. Understand what face-to-face ‘networking’ is and why it is crucial to success in any career.

2. Be able to seize your next face-to-face networking opportunity with confidence.

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Objectives

1. Identify connections and networks.

2. Identify networking opportunities.

3. Formulate an elevator pitch.

4. Practise your introduction on several strangers.

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Networking is

• Interaction with a purpose.

• Building and maintaining a collection of connections through which to share information, ideas, advice, and support.

• Natural activity that you have been and still are doing anyway.

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Networking is NOT

• Insincere

• Painful

• Unnecessary

• Selfish

• ‘Schmoozy and boozy’

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Why bother networking when I’m a genius and my talent speaks for itself?

• Because NOBODY achieves their career goals on their own.

• We all need to network our way to success.

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Exercise No. 1

The five-minute mixer.

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Generating contacts

• Friends• Family• Acquaintances• Professional bodies• Departmental staff• Alumni• Social Media

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Draw your own network

Work

Clubs

School

Neighbours

Sports

Online

University

Family &Friends

GuestSpeakers

Their networks

Their networks

Their networks

Their networks

Tutors

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Priming for the event

• Practise the self-introduction.• I want to help other people.

[Mindset check]• Everyone else is there to

network, so they want to meet me, too.

• I’m going to make 3 new contacts and gain 3 new pieces of information.

• I’m going to enjoy myself!

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Mama had good intentions but …

• You are now an adult, so it is OK to talk to strangers.

• Human beings are generally not shy by nature because we are hard-wired as communal creatures. We are social beings by birth.

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The length of your elevator pitch

• 60 seconds – to introduce yourself to Martin Scorsese in the lift and get him to finance your next film.

• 30 seconds – to introduce yourself to a recruiter representing the organisation you want to work in.

• 10 seconds – to introduce yourself at a networking event.

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Exercise No. 2

• Using your Elevator Pitch

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How to work the room

• Start small

• Stop apologising

• SMILE!

• Ask a question

• Listen

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How to work the room (cont’d)• (Business cards)

• Say the person’s name

• Be yourself

• Tap into your passions

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How to work the room (cont’d)• Ask for introductions

• Be generous

• Be prepared

• *Follow up and stay in touch*

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How to work the room (cont’d)

Disengage by moving on politely – “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, I guess we should continue to mingle.”

People will understand as they are there to network too. No one expects you to stay with them for the whole event.

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Get over your fear of rejection• Within (perhaps) 1% of your

networking time, you may encounter a rude or unhelpful person. That’s their problem, not yours. Get away quickly and don’t waste time on them. Nobody wants to help them either!

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Exercise No. 3

• Work the room and introduce yourself to everyone else in five minutes.

• Use the ‘mini-elevator’ or networking pitch (10 seconds)

• LISTEN TO OTHERS – what can you remember?

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Please do NOT• Hijack the conversation.

• Cling to one person.

• Tell inappropriate jokes.

• Discuss sex, religion or politics (unless relevant in that networking context).

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DEFINITELY DO NOT

• Let your eyes wander about / look over your shoulder while you are speaking with someone.

• This is probably the biggest turn-off at any networking event, and it certainly won’t help you expand your network!

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Your next step

• Think of one person you would like to add to your network.

• Think of how to meet that person and what to say.

• Do it!• Then remember to follow up and

keep in touch.

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Everyone else is doing it, what are you waiting for?

Happy Networking!

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www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/careers Tel: 0207 919 7137 -

Opening times

Careers Library

9.30am – 4.30pm Mon – Thu

11.00am – 4:30pm Fri

Quick Queries (15 mins)

2.15pm – 4.15pm Mon –Thur*Bookings for the week open on Monday mornings*

goldsmiths careers service 1 networking for the shy and nervous karen gui careers consultant...

Documents

boozy slide

elevator pitch slide

networking event

facetoface networking

networking opportunity

networking opportunities

network guest speakers

room contd business