Networking

It can support you in finding a job.

• You’ll receive information about vacancies that are not visible.
• You’ll get to know people with your field of expertise.
• You’ll exchange knowledge.

Networking often evokes the idea of attending a networking event, where you forcefully strike up a conversation with a complete stranger over a drink. This doesn’t sound appealing to most people.

Your network includes everyone you know, including your family and friends and you don’t always have to attend an event to get information.

Be aware that you may be able to help other people in just the same way. Maybe you did an internship or part-time job at an organisation where one of your contacts would like to work. By being a good network contact to others, you can also extend your own network. 

A network conversation is informative, exploratory or advisory. It is not a job interview!

• Make sure you have a a brief but clear personal introduction ready. Who are you? What do you want? What are you good at?
• Obtain information about a position/organisation and think about the type of questions you want to ask.
• Think about what information you are still missing about a position or organisation. Also think about questions. These can serve as a guideline during the conversation.
• Send a thank you note afterwards and indicate what the added value of the conversation is for you. 

You know now something about how to structure a networking conversation. However, that doesn’t make it less daunting. We have compiled a list of things that might help you.

Determine your strategy

• Make a plan. What is your goal? What would you like to know? About the job, position or applications in general for example.
• With whom or where would you start searching for information? Do you know someone already or would you like to start with deskresearch via LinkedIn?
• What makes you feel comfortable or is outside your comfort zone? Will you ask your neighbour first or aren’t you afraid to send an email to a CEO? 

Points of interest

• It can be done anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re on the train, at a birthday party or during a Career Service workshop: there are many different opportunities to start a conversation.
• You don’t have to talk only to like-minded people. Someone with a different background than you, can have valuable information or connections.
• It is a long-term investment. Even if you don’t see results immediately: hang in there, networking pays off in the long run!
• Network every day from now on. You can meet interesting people and find information everywhere and in unexpected places!

A common pitfall is letting yourself be misled by your own fear. A common comment is ‘that person probably won’t respond anyway’ or ‘they’re probably busy, so I won’t send a message’. What if the person you’re contacting is actually very enthusiastic?

Then don’t fall into these traps:

• Don’t put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Keep an eye on someone’s cultural background for example.
• Begging for a job. It helps if you mention that you are orientating yourself.
• You need results ASAP. This doesn’t work. Take your time.
• The first person you talk to, must be the right one. This is not necessary. You often need several people or conversations to get your information.
• You should immediately make a ‘counteroffer’ with something you can do or know. Think long-term here too. Your ‘counteroffer’ will come another time.

Once you’ve crossed the treshold, these are the dos and donts.

Do’s

• Everyone is approachable. Be open to others as well (be a good networker yourself).
• Be sincerely interested in the other person. Ask questions.
• Listen.
• Send a thank you note to people who have helped you.
• Take notes. Keep an overview of who you spoke to about what and when and/or who they referred you to.
• Send a reminder to people who have indicated that they can do something to help you.
• Maintain your network. Make sure people hear from you now and then, even if it is just a short congratulations via LinkedIn.
• Prepare your own story. If the opportunity for networking occurs, what will you tell?

Donts

• Suddenly approach people you haven’t shown any personal interest in for a job. The feeling of ‘now I’m suddenly good enough’ doesn’t encourage to help you.
• Don’t prepare yourself for a networking conversation. You won’t get the help, the right information or referrals you were hoping for and you’ll make a poor impression.
• Fail to maintain your network, as soon as you’ve found a job or internship.

• After introduction, add new contacts on LinkedIn;
• Always include a message with your LinkedIn invitation.
• Follow interesting and relevant people on X or other social media.
• Send a personal message asking if someone you find interesting would like to meet up sometime to exchange ideas with you. 

Now that you know what is common in networking and what you should avoid, it’s also helpful to have a clear story. What do you want to share about yourself?

Present yourself briefly and concisely. This can be done by means of an elevator pitch. You have read that you can network in various ways, therefore adjust your story to the situation. The tips below will help you with the content of your story.

• What job or internship are you looking for?

Questions that can be helpful:

• What tasks or responsibilities seem or are interesting to you?
• What education have you completed and how does this match what you’re looking for?
• What kind of organisation do you have in mind?
• How many hours per week would you like to work?
• How far are you willing to travel for work?
• Is there anything else that is important to you in your job?
• Be careful with professional language or abbreviations. Check with your conversation partner whether he or she can follow you and understands what you mean.
• If you find it difficult to get your story across clearly, use simple language or a metaphor such as your hobby.

With the tips and tricks above, you’ll know what a networking conversation is and how to best approach it. As a student or recent graduate, you’ll probably want to use this knowledge primarily to find a job or internship. 

Finally, a few tips to help you get started. Don’t underestimate the power of your network when you’re looking for that job! 

• Tell the people around you what kind of job you’re looking for.
• Make an inventory of where contacts work.
• Approach relevant contacts who you think may have interesting information. Are they able to tell you about the organisational culture, job positions and availability of work in their field?
• Ask your contacts if they know anyone who might be of interest to you. Dare to ask for a referral.
• When you receive information about a function and/or organisation, don’t forget to ask how someone found their job or how to get into the company in question. How is new staff being recruited and what is important to have for a certain position?

• Make a list with the organisations or people you absolutely want to talk to.
• Do research on these organisations or people at home and prepare questions.
• Check the websites and social media of organisations.
• Search for news.
• Make sure your story is in order.
• Dress appropriately for the event.
• Is it an online event, make sure your background is in order.
• Take notes for the future.
• Don’t forget tob ring your CV.
• Follow up after the event by adding someone via LinkedIn or sending a thank you note.