Networking
Networking is about establishing connections with other people. Sometimes these connections will help you gain access to opportunities.
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Building a network
- Map out who you currently know: peers on your course, academic staff, speakers from events, employers
- Join a relevant professional association – many have student rates and networking events
- Get involved in activities: This could be organising or participating in an event, coming along to our employer events and fairs, taking part in the HEAR, working or volunteering
- Look for a mentor. Goldsmiths Careers partners with the National Mentoring Consortium which supports BAME students
- Use Goldsmiths Connect our own alumni networking platform
- Make a positive impression: Show enthusiasm, be interesting, overcome problems - these are all ways to make yourself stand out
- Use LinkedIn to build and maintain your connections - download our LinkedIn and social media helpsheet from our VLE page
- Try to do something each month that is a positive step towards building your network
Build confidence for networking
- Practice some opening lines to introduce yourself
- Become more aware of your strengths – you can book a one to one appointment with a careers consultant to focus on this
- Get used to asking questions – people like to talk about themselves and it takes the limelight off you
- Develop good active listening skills
- Get some small talk ammunition – keep on top of current affairs for example
- Interact early on, it’s much easier than letting the fear build up
How to use networks for careers
- Ask for information and advice such as how to get into a sector or how to enhance your experience
- Look for introductions: Perhaps someone in your network knows someone in the job field you are interested in
- Secure work-shadowing: usually involves spending a day or so with an organisation and is less commitment than full-blown work-experience
- Make people aware that you are looking for experience or a job but don’t ask directly for an opportunity
Goldsmiths Careers support
- Download our Networking helpsheet from our VLE page
- Build your confidence by taking part in The Gold Award
- Sign up to our workshops (on self-confidence or LinkedIn for example)
- Come along to our employer events on campus. It’s a safe space and they are here to meet you