1. Networking: You are who you know

2. Career development
Career development is a continuous process that is part of a professional career
Exploration
What’s out there? What options do I have?
Would I prefer business, non-profit or public sector?
What jobs fit my skills? What careers and industries use them?
What organizations are a good fit?
What do I need to be competitive?
Who can connect me to these organizations?
Focusing
Job
Search/
Action Plan
Resumes, Interviews
Networking, Researching
What are my interests? What kind of skills do I have?
What are my values? What is my work style?
Self-Assessment
Most people think finding a good job starts here, but actually it starts already down there.
Bron: Peter S. Fiske (2010)

3. What is Networking
Is making and maintaining contacts that can help you achieve a certain goal
Sharing information or services between people
Is give and take: others should have a win in it to
Has 3 phases: know – like – trust
Is also: networkmanagement: systematic, goal oriented and well-balanced maintaining your relations

4. Why networking ?
Expanding your visibility: you will be/are/stay in the picture
Others can help you reach your goal:
Eg: 53% of Belgians find a new job via their network (study HUB, 2000)
Know what it is you want to reach with your network (ST – LT)
You can also help others to reach their goals (win-win)

5. How does it work ? Map your network + make an analysis of your network
Principles in networking
Goal-oriented networking
How to expand, use and maintain your network
Networking at events
Networking on-line
Personal branding: your profile
Network labourmarket oriented

6. Who is a part of your network?
Map your network
Everyone you (have) know(n) and has a positive impression of you, is part of your network
Make a list of names
Sources: mobile phone, address book, business cards, memory, social media…

7. Who is a part of your network?
Make an analysis of your network
Structure in categories: family, friends, colleagues, class mates, bussiness relations,…
Discover your network on the basis of your goal(s):
Wich help can I get/give from/to who ?
If I want to know X, in which category should I search ?
If I’m looking for a job in sector X, who do I know in that sector ? Who do I know that knows someone who works there ?

8. How does it work ? Expand your network Find good occasions:
Congresses, meetings, receptions
Presentations or posters
Publications (co-author)
Trainings, courses
Research department
Communities
Social media: LinkedIn, Twitter, your own blog/website …

9. Principles in networking
First give, then recieve
First sowing, then harvest
Attitude of pro-actif and reactif giving without expecting anything
Satisfaction and dissatisfaction= advantage – investment
Make a list of what of great value you can give to others with a minimum of investment.

10. The ‘golden’ triangle of networking
Offer
Thank
Ask

11. ‘Written goals are dreams with deadlines’ (Brian Tracy)
Resaerch at the American university of Harvard:
Goal-oriënted people are more succesfull as others
Only 15% of the students makes objectives
Only 3% of them writes them down
The 15% was in a 2X better financial situation than the other 85%
The 3% was in a 10X better financial situation than the other 85%.
(Source: Let’s connect. Jan Vermeiren)
A goal helps you to oriënt your actions in a certain direction.

12. Goal-oriented networking
Give yourself an objective and explore your network in regard to that goal.
Step 1: formulate an objective
Step 2: who is the most interesting person to reach your goal?
Step 3: try to reach that contact person through your own network or the network of your network.
Eg. If I look a job in sector X, who do I know that works in the sector? Who do I know that might know someone?

13. How to use and maintain your network
It’s all about action!
Examples:
Exchange business cards
Make pictures at congresses and send them
Participate at the the social program on a congress
Stay in touch via or social media after a meeting
Stay in touch, however short
Ask concrete questions
Don’t expext an immediate return: plant seeds

14. Tips for a good use of your network
Keep contacts warm
Thank those who did something for you
Get also in touch when you do not need something
Bring people in contact with each other
Organise your own network occasions
Use online networks
Don’t stick around one conversation partner for too long
Think about know – like – trust
Keep your namelist up to date

15. Networking at events Enter the eventroom and make contact
Start talking with people from the very beginning: the desk, the parking,…it brings you in the right mood
Greet people, get them a drink or some food
Look for common interests
Ask others to introduce you
Talk with the speakers
Ask open questions, show interest
Eg. What did you like about the program (at a congres)
What aspect of your work do you prefer?
What makes your organisation, project,…special?

16. Tips for optimal use of social media
Profile picture
Headline
Activities
Background
Summary
Experience
Education
Recommendations
Endorsements
Groups/following

17. Tips for optimal use of twitter
Dictionary of twitter
Follower/following
PM/DM: private message/direct message
RT: retweet
Tweeps
Tweet
Hashtag: #
Microfunding
Twunch

18. Tips for optimal use of social media
Easy way to access people and conversations
Be aware that your account is accessible for everyone
Principle of give and receive
Use retweets
Favorite: collect interesting tweets for you