Networking skills

Strong networking abilities can spell business success because you could:

• access jobs before that never get advertised
• secure new business
• find the latest industry manoeuvres
• learn about the best events
• talk to top-level thinkers.

Wading in

• Reach out. Contact colleagues (old and new), former managers and school friends
• Make the most of IET networks such as Local and Technical and Professional Networks
• Attend networking events
• Join relevant clubs and associations

A few tips

• Stay in touch fairly regularly. Email or phone are both good mediums but take care not to be intrusive. Make sure you have a specific reason before getting in touch.
• Create a database with people you meet and write notes on each person about what you learned and how they could be useful.
• Pass leads to top people and they’ll reciprocate. Your relationship must be two-sided.
• Keep an open mind. Someone you don’t have much in common with could be a great networker and surprise
• you with how helpful they can be.
• Never be negative. Networking is built on good personal relationships, becoming negative about others could work against you.
• Be a good listener and not a loud talker, you’ll learn a lot more.
• Networking might not feel natural a first, and not every person you meet will be valuable, but it gets easier the more you throw yourself into it.