Networking is one of those things that some people do naturally, staying in touch with wide circles of contacts and friends, but others resist it, feeling they should have to use personal favours to get work. But networking isn’t the same as nepotism, it’s about relationships you generate, and it can be an essential way to discover if a career or a particular workplace is right for you before seeking that job. It is also particularly important in a recession jobs market, as you may hear about jobs before they are advertised, you have insiders to ask for interview tips, and you can convince recruiters that you understand and will fit in with that workplace culture.

Here are some top tips from a recent course run at The Careers Group.

1. Building relationships This is definitely the key point to remember. Networking objectives don’t have to be big, you shouldn’t be looking to every person you meet to give you a job, or buy into your product. This is what intimidates a lot of people about networking. Instead you should be starting small, making friends, learning what to expect. Find out their objectives see if there is any way you can help them – chat about an innovative new website, introduce them to a useful contact of yours. Or you might ask them about their background, how they got to where they are now. Your initial objectives should be along the lines of gathering information, current awareness, feeling out opinions, finding people who share your outlook. You will find some of these relationships suit you better than others, and you can then build on these.
2. Preparation This can really pay off. Before a networking opportunity, think about the people you might meet. Do a quick Google search for some background information on them, or likely buzz topics of conversation. What is your main objective? Think about some open questions you might ask. Is there anything you need to take with you?
3. Remembering names The personal touch makes a difference, but when you are meeting a bunch of new people, how are you going to remember them all? Depends how your memory works. Some people like to repeat a name back to someone when they are introduced, personally I need to write the name down later with a quick note of something to remember them by. If you get a business card, write it on the back of that.
4. Starting conversations Some people like to get straight to the point, but not everyone appreciates it, and if you start out by asking for a job and there isn’t one, that’s a conversation stopper. Finding some common ground is a great way to start – chat about the buffet, the biscuits, or a recent news story in that sector. Yes it might seem like boring small-talk at first, but it should feed casual and relaxed, and if you can find a common passion or point of view, you have instantly become memorable, even if there is nothing you can do for each other yet.
5. Phone, email, Twitter, letter, fax…?! Everyone has a different preference, and it is important to consider that when making contact. Emails are easier to ignore, but may be a more polite and considered way of introducing yourself. Phone calls can be more effective at getting results, but can feel coercive. Letters are less common these days, so may make a special impact if you can give them a personal touch e.g. an unexpected thank you card. Try different methods and see what a person responds to best. How you say it is just as important as what you say.

For more websites and information resources on networking, see this page on Careers Tagged.