How can I meet employers
What we will cover today
• What is networking
• Why is it important
• How to identify & approach useful contacts
• Tips on contacting people and networking
face to face
• What a contact might expect from you
What is Networking
•“a group of people who exchange information, contacts
and experience for professional or social purposes”
(oxford dictionary)
• Many jobs aren’t advertised. The more people you know,
the more likely you are to hear about jobs.
“ Its not what you know,
but who you know
and
who knows you that
matters! ”
Networking can help you to…
•Generate careers ideas
•Find out about jobs you’ve not considered
•Find out what a job is really like – ‘insider information’
•Ask how your skills and interests fit the job
•Explore hidden job market- where jobs aren’t advertised
•Opportunity to ask for work experience
How to identify your network
• Contacts you already have?
• Friends, family, friends of friends
• Other students
• Academics
• Contacts from past work experience - jobs
Creative Approaches - finding contacts
•Use the contact details from the vacancy adverts
•Names in journals, magazines, reports, the press
•Phone book and Yellow Pages (www.yell.com )
•Specialist directories and lists of companies
•The university Alumni Careers Network
•Linked in – Search facility
UK 10
Million +
Online Networks
•A professional looking online presence can help you to make contact
with people in the sector you are interested in
Examples of your creativity on web pages, blogs, online videos are
important in media/ creative industries
How to Make Contact?
Letter/email
• Cover letter, introducing yourself and
outlining why you are interested in gaining
experience, plus a targeted CV
• Gives a contact time to think about what
they can offer you
• Good to follow up with a telephone call.
How to Make Contact?
Phone call
• An initial phone call has immediacy, but can put
you (and the employer) on the spot!
• If you ring, think about what you want to say first!
• Stay calm and collected articulate your message
with clarity!
Face to face networking…
•Working the room……
Face to face networking
Events & Meetings
Before you arrive:
• Think about the dress code
• Do your research (look online at companies - individuals)
• Set objectives that you want to achieve at the event!
• Who do you want to meet and why?
Introducing yourself
• Starting conversations“Do you mind if I join you?”
• Introduce yourself, shake hands!
• Think what information are you looking for?
“How did you get into your industry?”
Start with small talk and work up to what you are looking for
• Ask good questions & Listen a lot!! ….. be interested!
• Don’t overstay your welcome!
• Follow up the contacts that you have made!
What a contact might expect
o Be interested in what they do
o Ask questions
o Say “Thank you!”
o Follow up and keep in touch
o Share good news!
o Offer to help others
Unsure about networking
remember…!
• You have probably already used networking skills (social
life - talking to people etc.
• Most people are flattered to be asked for advice
• There are many established networks that you can use
• It never hurts to ask someone (tactfully) for help - they
can always say no!
• Many people establish successful careers using their
networks
•Support we offer
• Careers and Employability Centre - Ground Floor Library
• Talk through your ideas with a careers adviser 1:1
• Attend an Event - Employer Presentations / Job Fair
• Use our website
•www.sussex.ac.uk/careers