How do I network?
Networking basics, networking skills
In terms of getting roles, it can often be who you know as well as what you know. There can still be hidden job markets as well as staff who can let you know when positions are going to be available. Not many people enjoy networking but in terms of widening the circle of people looking out for you, that is no bad thing to have!
Here we go: Top 5 Networking Tips for Networking Events
1.WHAT DO YOU WANT OUT OF THE EVENT?
Let’s not go just yet. Do we know who's attending the event? Will the people there be useful? Step one, let’s target our audience. If you’re after peer networking and you’re a young professional or you’d like to meet a particular speaker, Young People in the Arts (www.ypia.co.uk) is a great bet but if you’re after potential hirers you’d need to look at conferences, venue events, gallery previews, university talks/events and maybe alumni gatherings. Where would you find your potential new boss?
2. START WITH THE HOST/HOSTESS
When you arrive there is usually a host or hostess at a table to sign you in, provide a badge &c. If the table is not too busy or even if it is - start networking from the moment you arrive. A) this offers a good warm up before you get speaking to others at the event B) those hosting at this table are here to help & C) this offers someone to come back to if the evening lulls for a second. They most likely will be able to offer you useful information about where things are and your friendliness will impress other people at the table ahead or behind you. This helps you to be memorable and you never know where this person might end up!
3. OPEN AND CLOSED PAIRS
People by themselves are just like you, say hello and they’ll probably be glad to have someone to chat with. Ask them how their day has been, make a comment about the weather or say you’re going to find the food and drink and would they like to come along to find the refreshments table as well. If you’d like to approach a pair or group of people - think about open or closed pairs. Remember seeing two people standing and having a real gossip/involved conversation. How did you know you couldn’t join them? They were probably facing each other exclusively, looking directly at each other and having a focused on the topic rather than the room around them. Wider circles, with more outward facing body language, where people are looking around as well as at those speaking are a better bet. Say hello and mind if I join you? Or ask what the group is talking about?
4. HOW TO KEEP A CONVERSATION GOING
Be curious, people enjoy talking about themselves so ask good questions and let them do the work. You can ask good questions by making them open – use questions beginning with What, How, Who, When & etc. If you find a lull in conversation, ask where they’ve travelled from this evening or where they heard about the event – always safe questions for use at a networking event.
5. HOW TO LEAVE A CONVERSATION
If you’ve ended up by yourself with one person or want to exit a group, don’t worry, you can’t stay there forever and moving around is the aim of the event so don’t feel rude if you need to circulate. If you’re not so keen on the direct approach (‘It’s been lovely to meet you, please do find me on LinkedIn’ &c or ‘I’m just going to talk to the group by the [insert location here]’, you can add, ‘would you like to join me’?), then you can ask to be excused, come to the end of your drink and say you need another, or say you’re going to get some food. Do follow through though – be honest! Impact Factory also gave great advice in their Networking Skills session – shadow the waiters as they offer drinks or nibbles, follow them into a group (space is always made for food) or duck out as needed.
Hope you have fun networking! & don’t forget to follow up with your contacts on LinkedIn :)
Sarah x