Whether you are looking for a job right away or developing as a professional in your current position, your success will depend on not only what you know but also who you know (and who knows you). The presentation provides a brief look at the process of networking from A to Z, shows you the right approach and warns you of potential pitfalls.

1. It is not what you know, it is who you know
the power of career networking
Rashad Bayramov
CBSolutions 2009

2. what is networking?
networking is getting to know and
keeping the relationship with people
who can help you
 develop your career
 do your job better
 make your life more rewarding/easier

3. why network?
Ask yourself:
What is your life goal? What do you want to achieve?
What is your vision? What is important for you?
 75-90% of job vacancies never reach the job market
 job vacancies may take a long time to be advertised
 Employers prefer active networkers

4. who to network with
 Past or present co-workers
 Friends you're in touch with regularly
 Old friends from university / school
 Customers, clients, vendors, and suppliers
 Members of professional organizations
 Members of your religious community
 Peer volunteers
 Your relatives, neighbors

5. where to network
 your current / past workplace
 conferences / seminars/ workshops
 charity /volunteer events
 non-governmental organizations
 parties
 sports clubs / special interest clubs
 airplanes
 online

6. networking step by step
 before (preparation)
 during (action)
 after (follow up)

7. before
 Think about your image. The image you project comes directly from
the inner image you have of yourself
 Do your homework. Research your contacts before meeting them.
 Find common ground. Find out recent projects they've been
working on and get introductions from suppliers or past employers
 Set a specific goal for an event. “I'll make at least three contacts
that will help me … or who are …and stick to it
 Create a networking card. Beyond your contract information it can
include your degrees, certifications, schools, accomplishments,
industry expertise, past employers, link to your online resume
 Rehearse your ‘elevator speech‘. This is your self networking pitch
– 30sec-2 min presentation about yourself: who you are, what you do
and what key thing you want people to know about you

8. Networking card

9. Networking card

10. Elevator speech formula
 Who am I? (introduce yourself)
 What business/ industry am I in?
 What position am I in? In what capacity do I
serve?
 What is my Unique Selling Proposition?
What makes me different from the
competition?
 What benefits can employers derive from
skills, based on my proven
accomplishments?

11. Elevator speech samples
Insurance Agent
 “I'm a money man with a plan: I make sure the money keeps flowing when
your income stops. (pause) Somewhere along the line, for one reason or
another, you will no longer be working. My plans insure that individuals and
their families are prepared for that day when it comes. (another pause) Let's
review your plan to make sure the money flows unabated. I'm Mark Eckhout
with MML Investors Services.”
Lawyer for Non-profits
 “I'm saving the people who are saving the world! (pause and smile) I'm Alice
Anderson, a lawyer for non-profits. My company, Anderson Non-Profit
Strategies, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, specializes in helping non-
profits keep their fund-raising legal.
Communications Specialist
 For every dollar earned by the company, one is lost because of break-downs
in communication. (pause) My role is to make sure these break-downs never
happen. The messages I design always reach the audience and cause the
intended effect. My name is Rashad Bayramov and I am a specialist in
external and internal communications. I am happy to talk on how your
business can save its dollars by communicating effectively.

12. during – part1
 First impressions count. Always stay sharp. Remember: it takes
only 30 seconds to build an impression of someone you meet.
 Smile. Smile. Smile
 Who starts the conversation? You! You can comment about the
last speaker, or the book in the person's hand, or the information on
their name badge, the weather, the recent news you have
read/watched. You don’t have to talk about your business
 Always ask the name of the person. Using the name builds rapport
 When ice is broken, ask a question and build another on the answer
 Talk less, listen more. Stick to the 80/20 rule – 80% listening and
20% talking. Listen to what people say instead of planning your next
line. Show genuine interest to their stories
 Do your ‘elevator’ speech only when you feel appropriate

13. during – part2
 Be assertive. Don't be afraid to promote yourself and give the
impression that you are confident.
 Beware of non-verbal language. Your eye contact, nodding,
posture should signal “I am listening to you carefully”
 Use your business/networking cards. Give a card to every
person that you speak with and get theirs too – the more
cards you collect the better.
 Ask for a favor or offer one. This is the best way to bond.
 You never know who will be valuable in your professional
career. It could be that one shy woman sitting at the corner

14. during - working the room
 Arrive 10-15 min earlier
 Identify an open group to join
 Speak when acknowledged
 Spend 5-10 min with the group
 Exit conversation and walk away
 Repeat with a different group

15. after
 Say ‘thank you’. Send your new contact a
short email the following day. This will keep
you in the front of their minds.
 Keep your promise. If you said you would
do something (e.g. send your resume,
arrange an introduction, etc) make sure you
do it.
 Patience is a virtue. You may get a job
very quickly or it may take a few months.
The best networking produces results in the
long term.

16. online networking
 post your resume at job search
websites
 create your own website/blog
 create a profile at LinkedIn/Facebook
 join discussion groups in your field

17. Thank you for listening
Have great networking!