workplace skills
Networking for Busy Professionals
Networking is about making personal contacts. Finding those who can provide information, advice, friendly help, even a referral to the 'right people.' Personal contacts can make a great difference in an individual's career at all levels. Networking can be used when you see opportunities: at conferences, in meetings, even at school reunions! Used correctly, networking might help you to get your job done and to build long-term contacts and social friendships, too.
The course aims to promote an understanding of the underlying principles of different kinds of networking and to develop an awareness of networking practices and processes and to relate these to the individual's academic, personal and professional aspirations.
Objectives
At the conclusion of the seminar, participants should be able to:
- Identify different types of networks
- Relate the theoretical and practical aspects of networking to those of an individual's personal goals
- Outline basic techniques of maintaining networking contacts locally to globally
- Evaluate the "political" and social expertise necessary to turn contacts into helpful rofessional and personal relationships
Outline of Syllabus
Participants are introduced to dynamics of networking and will consider the following:
- What's your networking style?
- Identifying your best contacts: personal, professional, organisational
- Networking methods to help drive your career progression: including attending conferences and trade shows, publishing, tapping into the wired world
- “Getting your foot in the door” - networking tips for the job hunter
- How to survive the conference dinner, interview meal or "rubber chicken circuit"
- Conversation gambits for the terrified including conversation openers, small talk, remembering names, making a graceful exit
- How to keep in contact with your local and global network
