The document outlines 12 ways to increase the value of networking for career development and advancement. It recommends developing an identity and elevator pitch, being genuine in online profiles, sharing work to become a useful resource, reaching out for help and making requests clear, being curious and joining groups, finding your unique voice, having self-belief, thinking about connectivity beyond your immediate network, embracing opportunities, lifelong learning, having empathy for others, resilience when facing challenges, and celebrating achievements.

1. 12 ways to
increase
the value of
networking
#InternationalWomensDay
Sue Beckingham
@suebecks

2. 1.Develop your
identity
@suebecks

3. 1. Develop your identity
This means your online profile but also
prepare your 'elevator pitch'. You never
know who you may bump into or when!
Have your 60 second sound bite ready to
answer the question "what do you do?" or
"what are your career aspirations?"

4. 2. Be genuine
@suebecks

5. 2. Be genuine
Add a photo to your online profiles. Be
yourself, and be confident and comfortable
in your skin. Others will gravitate towards
you when they feel they see the real you.
This builds trust.

6. 3. Sharing is caring
@suebecks

7. Sharing is caring
Social media is a useful space to share
projects, presentations, publications, news
items. Acknowledge what others share and
also become known as a useful resource
for others.

8. Reach out for help
@suebecks

9. 3. Reach out for help
Don't be afraid to ask for support. Be able
to articulate what you are looking for
clearly and how others may help you.

10. 4. Be curious
@suebecks

11. 4. Be curious
Explore, experiment, take risks and above
all keep on asking questions.
Join LinkedIn groups, Google +
communities, societies and special interest
groups. This will extend your network.

12. 5. Find your voice
Credit: https://twitter.com/UN_Women

13. 5. Find your voice
Be the one that asks those questions
others have, but hold back from asking
themselves. Challenge the status quo and
speak out for others.

14. 6. Self belief
@suebecks

15. 6. Self belief
This will give you the motivation to become
the person you want to be. Tell yourself
daily "you can do this". Dream BIG.

16. 7. Think connectivity
@suebecks

17. 7. Think connectivity
Reach out beyond your immediate
network. Connect with useful people you
meet at events and training courses. Ask
for introductions to others. Digital and
social media enables opportunities for
global connections, partnerships,
collaborations and communities of practice.

18. 8. Serendipity
@suebecks

19. 8. Serendipity
The occurrence and development of
events by chance in a happy or beneficial
way.
Grasp those new opportunities to connect
with and learn from different people and
perspectives.

20. 9. Embrace lifelong learning
@suebecks

21. 9. Embrace lifelong
learning
This can be formal, non-formal and
informal learning opportunities. Engage in
social collaborative learning yourself but
also help others to learn. Both will help to
extend your personal learning network.

22. 10. Have empathy
@suebecks

23. 10. Have empathy
Reach out to others who may be less
confident. You may initially feel others are
more knowledgeable but there are many
ways to help others. Actively listen to
others.

24. 11. Resilience
@suebecks

25. 11. Resilience
Networking can feel hard. You will have
knock backs and perhaps even make
some mistakes. It's all part of the learning
process. If at first you don't succeed, try, try
again.

26. 12. Celebrate
@suebecks

27. 12. Celebrate
• believe achievement comes in many forms
• value women's individual and collective success
• ensure credit is given for women's contributions
• celebrate women role models and their journeys
• support awards showcasing women's success

28. Sue Beckingham | @suebecks
National Teaching Fellow and Principal Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam
University with a research interest in the use of social media in education.
Blog: http://socialmediaforlearning.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/suebeckingham

29. #InternationalWomensDay