Online networking

Some students are concerned that online networking is more difficult than the networking which can be done in person at Careers’ events or Year in Business employer workshops. Networking is all about making connections which can help you get ahead in your career. It is so important in contributing to career success, and it is good to know that networking can be done online as well as in person.

Remember that quote "it is not what you know, but who you know". In reality we all network everyday because at its basic, network is about interacting with other people either face to face or via social media. It isn't something to be fearful of and detailed below are some hints and tips to get the most out of networking when looking for your placement position.

So firstly, what are some of the benefits of networking:

You can build your knowledge levels from current business professionals.

You can demonstrate your skills and initiative which will help build your confidence.
You can sound out ideas with contacts in your network.
You can learn about employment or work experience opportunities through word of mouth/ online contacts.
You can build long term, mutually beneficial relationships.

Online networking can also be done in any meeting in which you come into contact with other people.

Students shouldn’t be scared of networking. People you meet or connect with online are normally very happy to help if you show interest and are polite.

Here are some things to think about on the subject of networking at an online event.

1.Get involved in as many events, networking opportunities and societies as possible! Whenever you spend time with students, lecturers or other people treat it as a networking event and contribute as much as you can in such events

2.Prepare for these events by researching the companies involved using their website / any other contacts you know before the event so that you can make a good impression when you meet them. Think about what you would like to find out from them.

3.Stay engaged during the online event– its easy to get distracted when networking online – perhaps by your phone or by email. You need to pay full attention, stay engaged and listen fully to the conversations in order to network properly.

4.Be active in these events - Ideally ask questions and develop a conversation. It may seem daunting but there are many occasions when you can demonstrate your interest and each time there is the prospect that someone will take notice.

 Here are some of the types of questions you can ask in a networking event:

What do you look for when selecting candidates?
Are there any particular types of experience or courses that would help me get into this area?
How can I make my application stand out?

What is the recruitment process at your company?
What training would I receive in your Company?

What are the most challenging aspects of the placement positions?

What are the typical day to day responsibilities?

Could you tell me how you got started in your career?

How have you professionally developed since joining the company?

What do you enjoy about the job? Is there anything that you don’t like about your job?

Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years?

How would you describe the company culture/ working environment?

How many of the placements students receive full time job offers at the end of the placement?

Remember that you have the opportunity to ask employers or students currently on placement anything related to their job, company or sector, from .You can get an honest idea about whether it’s the right career move for you as an individual and you can also get more information that other candidates don’t have to make your application or interview performance stand out. As it’s not an interview, they aren’t judging you!

5.If you have the opportunity for an online 1:1 don’t forget to smile as you talk to the Company representative. It is good to prepare an introduction in advance. You will hear people reference an "elevator" speech which is the few points you would want to get across to the Chairman of the Company if you were to join him in the Lift going from the ground to the top floor of the building. In this speech you can introduce yourself briefly, and mention your academic/ professional interests and why you have joined the event. You can then ask some open ended questions to allow a conversation to develop and for you to demonstrate your interest in the Company and position.

6.Follow ups after a meeting- send a follow up note or say thanks to a student/ employer that you have met in a meeting and ask any further questions you have . Make sure you have connected straight after the meeting while it is fresh in everyone’s minds. This will demonstrate your commitment and interest.

What online networking events take place at Royal Holloway?

The School of Business and Management Year in Business placement team run a number of events over the year in which different businesses or placement students are invited to present and talk informally to students, often in the form of a Q&A. These provide a great opportunity for an informal and relaxed conversation. Do make the most of these events to build up your contacts and find out information that may help you when applying for your placement position. Don't forget that employers have given up their time to join such events and are keen to talk to Royal Holloway students too.

The Careers Service also run many online events including Assessment centre training, Careers fairs and Alumni panels involving Alumni who share their Career experiences. You can find out more about the Careers events from their website: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/careers/events/eventlistings.aspx .

You can also network through contacts

It is possible that some students may already have good contacts in the business world and would like to make use of these when searching for a placement year position. If your contact works for an organisation that already offers placements you can usually find this out via the company website and then ask them if they can provide a reference or recommendation to support your application. If your contact works for an organisation that has not previously offered a placement year it is possible to start discussing it with them. If you want to self source you should also discuss it with the Year in Business Programme officer: provided the offer meets the requirements of the Year in Business programme then your networking could have paid off and you could have successfully achieved a placement position!

Your fellow students can also prove to be a good source of information. Many may already have gained some work experience or will have experience of applying for placement positions themselves. They can share their insights about different recruitment processes and the low down on different employers you may also be interested in.

Online networking can be done via tools such as Linkedin and having a digital presence is really important.

LinkedIn is a free online social network for the world of work and an ideal tool for you to use for professional networking. You can include your educational background, work experience, skills and interests. Linkedin was launched in 2003 and operates the world’s largest professional network on the Internet with more than 500 million members in over 200 countries & territories. It's a great tool for connecting with other professionals and helps you to gain an insight into the conversations that are happening in different industries and for finding jobs. Increasing numbers of employers check potential candidates' social media when recruiting and use social media to promote their vacancies. Following or "liking" organisations which interest you is a great way of keeping up to date with them and potentially learning about new job opportunities

The Royal Holloways Careers service provides useful guidance with a series of webinars on networking, including how to get started on Linkedin, how to build a strong online network and leverage your online networks.

https://intranet.royalholloway.ac.uk/students/jobs-careers/apply/linkedin.aspx

Linkedin have a useful guide to help you start off : For Your Students (linkedin.com) There is also a "Find Alumni" tool which can be used to put you in touch with Alumni who studied a similar course and are now working in the area you would like to secure a placement. Search on line http://blog.linkedin.com/2013/01/30/start-mapping-your-career-with-linkedin-alumni/

Being a part of the Year in Business Linkedin group allows you to learn more about the Year in Business programme and students currently out on placement as well as message former YIBs who have undertaken placements. Contact MN-YIB for details of access.

Tips to consider when setting up your Linkedin profile
1. Include a profile image: ideally this should be a professional headshot.
2. Complete your profile including name, location, education, skills and work experience including any virtual internships. Have a look at how others have described themselves to get an idea of what works well.
3. Add connections: begin by searching for people you already know such as lecturers, classmates, career advisors, family friends and employers you have met at events. All of these people have the potential to be useful contacts in the future
4. Ask people you have worked with or studied under to give you a recommendation or endorsement.
5. Become an active member of groups, share content and engage. By joining interest groups you can gain useful information about prospective employers and see job related postings.
6. Post updates to your profile - it is a good way of keeping your profile "alive" and make sure you take opportunities to renew your contacts as you continue through your degree at Royal Holloway.

Social media is a great networking too and you can use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as part of your daily life. Just remember to take care what you post on social media as your settings can mean that postings are visible to prospective employers : many will look at your digital footprint when considering your application.

Remember networking can be great fun and very beneficial in your search for a placement.