Jonathan Sanderson, Managing Director of award-winning recruitment consultancy Corecom Consulting, delivered a presentation to the University of Leeds students about what networking is, and why it’s important. For more information about Jonathan, visit https://www.corecomconsulting.co.uk/staff/jonathan-sanderson/

1. Professional Networking
By Jonathan Sanderson

2. Agenda for Today
• Introduction
• What is networking?
• Why developing a network is important
• Developing a network
• Ethics within using your network
• Any questions
www.corecomconsulting.co.uk

3. www.corecomconsulting.co.uk
Introduction
• Born in Harrogate
• Entrepreneurial from an early Age
• Choir
• Paperboy
• Start a career in Sales
• Looked too young to be taken seriously
• 2003 – Attended Leeds Beckett University
• 2006 Got a job from working at the University
• 2008 - Started my own Business
• (As the recession started) 

4. You tell me??
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What is Networking??

5. "The process of developing and using your contacts to
increase your business, enhance your knowledge, expand
your sphere of influence or serve your community."
www.corecomconsulting.co.uk
Definition of Networking

6. You go first…
My two pence worth:
A person’s career or business
is no longer simply reliant on
how good they are, but how
good your network is
vs someone else’s.
www.corecomconsulting.co.uk
Why is Networking Important?

7. • My personal mission was to be financially secure enough
to help my friends and family whenever they needed me
to.
• What is yours?
• Without knowing this… you can’t really start networking
• Spend 2-3 minutes thinking about what is your goal?
• What is the thing that’s going to drive you when you
finish University?
• What was the reason why you started? (this may have
changed)
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Why should you Network?

8. • The Network you already have
• “Our Craig works with Computers”
• Based upon your goal – map out your current network
• Thinking back to our definition
• Who can help influence?
• Who can introduce you?
• Increase your knowledge?
• Who can help you develop the skills you need? E.g.
careers advisors, Fred is good at writing / planning…
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Where to start….

9. • LinkedIn
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Joining the dots

10. www.corecomconsulting.co.uk
Joining the dots
• LinkedIn
• Mapping Software - xMind

11. www.corecomconsulting.co.uk
Joining the dots
• LinkedIn
• Mapping Software - xMind
• Networking events
• Initial conversation
• Meetings – coffee, lunch, drink
• Write a plan with goals and mile stones

12. • Opportunistic – always have your radar on
• The train
• Footballers
• Jonathan Straight
• Parties
• Always be professional / approachable / friendly
• Yorkshire International Business Conference
• Networking events
• University events
• Meet-up
• Eventbrite
• Start your own – Boss Series
www.corecomconsulting.co.uk
Increasing Your Reach

13. www.corecomconsulting.co.uk
Increasing Your Reach
• Social media
• LinkedIn
• Create an account
• Add relevant contacts
• Add yourself to relevant groups
• Look at your news feed
• Engage
• Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
• Groups / Events
• Increase contacts
• Like / share / follow
• If you have coverage on all… it’s harder to lose people.

14. • Work Experience
• University Jobshop (or equivalent)
• Lead to my graduate role
• General Part-time work
• Charity work – share our success
• University Societies
• Graduate fairs – all of them
• Put yourself out there
• Practise makes perfect
www.corecomconsulting.co.uk
Increasing Your Reach

15. • Feel The Fear and do it Anyway - Susan Jeffers
1. Write Down Your Goals For The Event
2. Research The People You Want To Meet
3. Reach Out In Advance
4. Plan Your Outfit
5. Create A Contact Information Strategy
6. Be Prepared To Talk About You – be interview ready
7. Follow up
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Attending Networking events

16. • Respectful
• Professional
• Givers gain
• Participate in legitimate activities
• Discussion at GS10K
• Anti-Bribery Act 2010
• Prince Charles’ school friend
• You create your own network – in business you don’t get
what you deserve you get what negotiate
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Ethics in Networking

17. Connect with me
• j.sanderson@corecomconsulting.co.uk
• www.linkedin.com/in/jonathansanderson
www.corecomconsulting.co.uk

18. • Any questions?
www.corecomconsulting.co.uk
Thanks for listening