1 Networking in Research Settings……or Building relationships in Research Settings! Victoria Wade Careers Consultant

2 Alternative Titles for today…… Rejected How to Win Friends and Influence People How to Network Successfully How to Sell Yourself to Important People How to build a Powerful Professional Network I Prefer…….. Building Productive Relationships Getting to Know People and Helping Each Other Out! Establishing a bank of relationships

3 What is networking? Getting to know people Pro-actively; with a particular purpose in mind By chance; at a meeting, on a bus etc. Staying in Touch Meeting up, s, social networks, telephone calls Sharing for Mutual Benefit: reciprocity Exchanging expertise, opportunities, other contacts So what might stop you?

4 Don’t want to ask favours Fear of rejection Don’t want to sell myself Don’t want to sell myself Don’t like small talk Lack of time Don’t like small talk Lack of time It takes too long for things to happen It takes too long for things to happen Lack of contacts Lack of contacts

5 Why Network? Gain Support: people may be placed to give you advice, support and even, mentorship New Research Ideas: possible collaborations, new perspective, new approaches and techniques Funding /Postdoc Positions: who has received a research grant? Are they looking for Postdocs? Are there other funds you could utilise as a senior academic? Opportunities: write a book review, contribute to an article, run an event Their Network: people (e.g. at SGUL) might know other people who are doing research that aligns with your interest New Ideas: ideas on possible career moves, entrepreneurship

6 What makes a good networker?

7 Activities of networking Finding and researching people Making contact Talking about yourself Asking for things Finishing the conversation Following up and maintaining links

8 Finding & Researching People Where to find people to network with? What is interesting about them? What questions might they have answers to? What do they need or value? How could you benefit them?

9 Making Initial Contact with People Warm Contacts Introductions through other people People that may have attended the same school/university/research institute/research group Good chance of success Cold Contacts Sending s to people you do not know or have no link to Variable success rate

10 Cold Contacts What sort of is appropriate? Lead with something in common Get to the point fast Show you mean business Make your ask clear Show sensitivity to the time given from the other person

11 introduction script elements Intro: Hi, my name is... Label/hook: I’m really interested in... Request: I was hoping I could ask you a couple of questions about... Appreciation:...was really helpful because... Follow-up: Could I contact you another time if I have more questions? Are there other people you would suggest I speak to?

12 Speaking to peers/seniors at Conferences Read their research; prepare for the conference by reading their research. Think about the areas that interest and how your research aligns with theirs. Read about them; where have they worked, who have they collaborated with, what research grants do they have? Contact them in advance; in advance of the conference introduce yourself by . Say what you are researching and with whom. Say that you would like to meet them at the conference. This can be a useful introduction when you see them. Rehearse a short elevator pitch: Who you are and what you do. This can help if you are nervous. Choose your moment wisely; do not approach people when they are in select and/or closed circles. Catch them in the dinner/coffee queue, when they are alone, in the pub, at a smaller, informal research presentation.

13 Go up to the group, listen to the conversation for a bit, and then make a contribution when it's appropriate Introduce yourself to everyone Start a conversation with the group the same as you would a single person "Mind if I join you?“ Start talking to one person in the group to get your foot in the door Buddy system – ‘The loneliest on their ownliest’ Face to Face introduction: How to break in to a group

14 Introductions can be tricky On your own, prepare an ‘elevator pitch’ to an employer to introduce yourself in not more than 20 seconds – name, degree, interest in sector/ company, what you’d like to know Practice in 3’s Give each other feedback on introductions and how it might be improved

15 Talking about Yourself What do you want people to remember about you? Think about how you will explain your research differently, depending on who you are talking to. Why wouldn’t they be interested?

16 Asking for Things What is appropriate and what is not?

17 Increasing need for strong relationship

18 Entering and exiting groups Make a graceful, polite exit Do not abandon for someone “better” Last impressions count as much as first impressions Ask them for business card

19 Follow up in the next 3-4 days If you add someone on LinkedIn send a personal message with the request Keep business cards Work at building relationships Reflect on whether you achieved your objectives and how you need to network smarter next time Following up

20 Tips and Tricks Preparation is key and will give you confidence Importance of visual communication Circulate – enter and gracefully exit various conversations Use your small talk ideas Do not criticise anyone to a stranger Avoid controversial topics and opinions Write down people’s names or take a business card If you have forgotten peoples names then try to get them to introduce themselves to others Last impressions count Follow up

21 3 Take Home Messages Building productive relationships benefits both parties Put yourself in their shoes Networking is a process