Networking – everyone does it, but how do you do it well? With at least 70% of job openings not being listed*, there has never been a more crucial time to advance your networking skills. This webinar dives into networking ‘musts’ and you’ll learn how to make sure you make the right connections and leave a positive lasting impression. The webinar is presented by USQ Careers and Employability staff member, Michael Healy. To see more from the Beyond the Books Online Series, visit our website. https://www.usq.edu.au/webinars

3. USQ Careers and Employability
twitter.com/mojohealy
linkedin.com/in/mojohealy
michael.healy@usq.edu.au
Michael Healy

4. A key element of being employable
Building a connected identity
Building network literacy
Growing connections
Strengthening connections
Working with connections
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Connectedness

5. Strong:
Opportunities, partnerships, mentoring
Medium:
Purposeful networking, research
Weak:
Information, collegiality
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Connectedness

6. psPoll
How would you rate the
strength of your
professional network?

7. How do you understand yourself as a professional?
How do you articulate that to others?
Your purpose
Your community
Your methods or style
Your ‘brand’: what other people know and say about you
Photo by Sidharth Bhatia on Unsplash
Building a connected identity

8. How do people in your professional community prefer to
connect?
What kinds of events?
What kinds of platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter, etc)?
What is the etiquette of networking?
How can you be strategic?
Photo by Sidharth Bhatia on Unsplash
Building network literacy

9. Cultivate your network
Explore the boundaries of your profession
Quality over quantity
Photo by Sidharth Bhatia on Unsplash
Growing connections

10. psPoll
Are you a member of a
professional association?

11. Send updates
Send congratulations
Ask questions
Give something back
Take it offline
Photo by Sidharth Bhatia on Unsplash
Strengthening and maintaining
connections

12. Communities of practice and professional learning networks
Get a mentor, be a mentor
Reach out when opportunities arise
Photo by Sidharth Bhatia on Unsplash
Working with connections

13. psPoll
Which online social
networking platforms do
you use for your
professional life?

14. Choose your platform/s:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Others…
Understand and manage the boundaries
Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
Networking online

15. Set up your profile
Consider your “headline”
LinkedIn: your summary section is key
Actions speak louder than words
students.linkedin.com for great advice
Networking online

16. Connect
Real-life connections
Professional community connections
Thought leader connections
Understand and respect people’s preferences
LinkedIn: always customise your connection request
Be strategic, cultivate your connections
Connect from the ground up
Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
Networking online

17. Participate:
Share a news item or report
Share a short reflection
Share an achievement
Share a challenge
Share a longer item (blog, LinkedIn article, video)
Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
Networking online

18. Participate:
Like, share, comment
Join discussions
Join TweetChats
Follow and use #hashtags
Tag people in
Networking online

19. Participate:
Be authentic
Wear your heart on your sleeve
Be critical, but constructive
Be professional
Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
Networking online

20. Online is real life, real life is online
Some connections will start online and strengthen IRL
Some will start IRL and maintain online
Make meeting in person a goal
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Networking in real life

21. Reaching out
For information, for opportunities, for mentoring
Who are you?
How did you find me?
What do you want?
Be specific, be realistic, be respectful
You do all the work
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Networking in real life

22. social.usq.edu.au/study-work/networking-
ideas-slides
Networking in real life

23. Events
Specific is better than general
Conferences can be great, but expensive
Meetup.com
Professional association newsletters
Informal catch-ups
Beware sales traps
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Networking in real life

24. Events: Dos and Don’ts
Don’t drink too much
Don’t take your resume
Don’t be timid
Don’t just talk to friends
Don’t crowd people
Don’t ask for favours
Networking in real life
Do relax
Do be prepared to follow up
Do initiate conversation
Do take a support crew
Do exit gracefully
Do ask questions
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

25. psPoll
Do you know anyone
who does the job you’re
preparing for?