Networking
If you were going to employ someone would you be more likely to employ someone you knew and trusted or someone who you didn’t know?
Building a network of contacts can help you:
- Find out about different jobs and what they involve
- Unlock the hidden job market
- Find out what different companies are looking for, and who might be recruiting
- Be visible and get known in your field
A strong professional network can have massive influence throughout your career. When it's done well, networking will not only help you land a job faster, but it can also give you a competitive edge throughout every stage of your career.
Each year, almost a third of graduates from the University of the Highlands and Islands secure work through personal contacts, or previous employers, so building a strong network is likely to really help you when it comes to finding work.
What is Networking?
What is Networking?
Networking is about talking to people, finding out about a sector or company and making a good impression. Easy!
Except that it’s not! Networking is not something that comes naturally to everyone. The good news is that Networking is a learned ability – regardless of your personality, you can learn to network in ways that you are comfortable with.
In order to develop a strong network, think:
- Who can you network with?
- Where could you network?
- When could you network?
In order to develop a strong network it is helpful to think about the kinds of people or employers you would find useful to make contact with, and then identify how you can do this. You might also find how to network to find a job useful.
Getting Connected
Getting Connected
One of the best ways to boost your chances in the job market is to make sure you are as well-informed as possible, and that people know you and what you can do. Most people are willing to help, and opinions and advice are things that almost everyone can offer.
You can connect with employers and find out more about organisations via social media. For many people developing an effective network also requires developing an effective online presence through social media such as Linkedin or Twitter.
Find practical advice on how to approach people for advice and information in Informational Interviews. These are informal conversations, e.g. over coffee or on the phone, with someone about their career or organisation. Their main purpose is not asking for a job. It is to get advice that will help with your job search.
Connect with graduates to find out
- what they did after graduation
- what kind of work they do
- how they got there
You can connect with UHI graduates through the UHI Alumni Network Group