Networking is not just about exchanging business cards and making small talk. It can also be a powerful way to land your dream job, if you know how to leverage your connections and showcase your value. In this article, you will learn how to turn a business networking meeting into a job offer by following these six steps.
Before you attend any networking event, you should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how you can communicate your strengths and goals. Prepare a concise and compelling pitch that summarizes who you are, what you do, and what you are looking for. Practice your pitch until you can deliver it confidently and naturally, and tailor it to the specific audience and context of the event.
Sometimes, you don’t even need to prepare a pitch! At a GBO networking event, a member with extensive sales experience at big corporations struck up a conversation with a startup founder. He shared stories from his career, focusing on how he handled sales challenges and built client relationships. This wasn't a formal pitch, just a genuine chat about his experiences. The startup founder was impressed by his down-to-earth approach and deep industry knowledge. They kept in touch, discussing business and strategies. Eventually, this led to an offer for the seasoned professional to join the startup as CEO. It was their relaxed and honest conversation at the event that sparked this opportunity. A career-changing one, indeed!
One of the keys to effective networking is to know who you are talking to and what they are interested in. Research the attendees of the event beforehand and identify the ones who are relevant to your field and career aspirations. Find out what they do, what their challenges and opportunities are, and what their goals and values are. This will help you to initiate meaningful conversations and establish rapport.
When I network I want to build long term relationships. That means in as much as I have a goals for the interaction I too have to provide value. If there is an opportunity to know who the attendants will be, it’s always great to do some research ahead of time. What are they into, some strategic goals they may share. Social media is a great resource to pick up on what projects people are into, causes they may be passionate about but also how do I provide value so that am not just asking and taking.
Don't wait for others to approach you or rely on chance encounters. Be proactive and seek out the people you want to connect with, and introduce yourself with a smile and a handshake. Be engaging and show genuine interest in what they have to say, and ask open-ended questions that encourage dialogue. Listen actively and attentively, and avoid distractions or interruptions. Remember their names and use them frequently.
By being proactive and engaging involves being aware of your surroundings and before you approach a person or a group of people, try to understand who they are. Usually, at business networking events there’s an emails of the attendees that you could if you have time to prepare yourself before the event to pick out who you may want to approach, engage and talk to. If not, try to get some help from the host who may be able to introduce you directly to the attendees that you want to meet.
Networking is not only about building relationships, but also about demonstrating your value and potential as a professional. Use your pitch as a starting point, but go beyond that and share your achievements, skills, and insights that are relevant to the person you are talking to and the industry you are in. Showcase your expertise and credibility by offering useful information, advice, or feedback, and highlighting how you can solve problems or create value for them.
The networking event is not the end of the process, but the beginning of a relationship. Follow up with the people you met within 24 hours, and thank them for their time and attention. Remind them of who you are and what you discussed, and express your interest in keeping in touch. If you promised to do something, such as sending a resume, a portfolio, or a referral, follow through on your commitment and deliver on time.
The final and most important step is to ask for the opportunity you are seeking, whether it is a job interview, a referral, or a recommendation. Don't be shy or passive, but be assertive and confident. Explain why you are interested in working with them or for their organization, and how you can add value to their team or project. Provide evidence of your qualifications and achievements, and ask for their feedback or opinion. If they seem interested and positive, ask them for the next steps or a specific action, such as setting up a meeting, sending an application, or introducing you to someone.
Be focused on the opportunity that you are interviewing at. Already do your own research and due diligence on the organisation and the hiring manager too. After all, if you get the job you will be working closing with your boss. Now’s a better time to check them out on LinkedIn and their company website. There may be some PR and public news media that you may want to read up on. This will show the potential employer that you have researched in full detail about them and you are very much interested in working for them. You know enough about them as a starting point for them to probe you on the competency based questions. The rest is to be truthful and honest. Showcase your expertise and skills in a professional manner.