Networking workshop

By
Mohamed Farouk Nawar
 AGENDA
• Definition and history

• Offline networking

• Online networking

• How to maintain networking

• Benefits of networking
Networking

• Definition :-
Networking is the process of making connections and
building relationships.
• These connections can provide you with advice and
contacts,
which can help you make informed career decisions.
Networking can even help you find unadvertised
jobs/internships.
• Networking can take place in a group or one-on-one
setting
Networking

• Networking is extremely important for career

advancement whether you're just out of college or in the
later stages of your career.
• Research suggests that networking is directly linked to
career success both in terms of salary growth as well as
career satisfaction.1
• Never attend a social or business event with the idea that
it is all about you because it's not. Networking is about
relationship building, not making sales pitches where you
force others to listen to you drone on about yourself.
• The same is true for social and professional networking
through the internet
Networking

• Networking is a mutually beneficial way to build

relationships with people peers, experts or even clients
• Have an elevator pitch ready but networking should never
be all about you
• Listening can validate the value of others and shows
respect.
• Asking thoughtful questions can build trust
• Sincerity in networking can go a long way
• Building trust and relationship to see who can help us
Networking

• While building networks you must also give something

back.
• To sustain good personal and business relationships, both
parties must benefit in some way
• Childhood and teenagers connections always sustained
• Although when you built it during youth ages you didn’t
think
• About future gain
• It facilitates a lot of matters
Networking history

• The theory of social intelligence and Networking was first

proposed by the American psychologist Edward Thorndike
in 1920,
• during which he defined social intelligence as:
• “the ability to understand and manage men and women,
old and young,
• to act wisely within the framework of human
relationships.
• ” This scientist also made clear that social intelligence is
not innate, but rather acquired.
• No one is born socially intelligent, but rather he acquires a
Networking history

• People who have social intelligence can sense the feelings

of others, and
• They have an intuitive ability that enables them to speak
spontaneously and smoothly in various social situations.
• You may think that such people
have advanced social skills,
• but in reality they are socially intelligent.
Browse the Forsa website
Networking

• New technology make it more easy to expand your

network
• Even networking with other people in different countries
• You can acknowledge different skills
• Selling and buying
• Know a lot about different cultures and norms of other
countries
Networking

• People generally join networking groups based on a single

common point of interest that all members share. The
most obvious is a professional affiliation, such as
stockbrokers. Still, some people find effective networking
opportunities in a college alumni group, a church or
synagogue social group, or a private club.
• For professionals, the best networking opportunities may
occur at trade shows, seminars, and conferences,
designed to attract a large crowd of like-minded
individuals. Networking helps a professional keep up with
current events in the field and develop relationships that
may boost future business or employment prospects.
Networking

• Small business owners network to develop relationships

with people and companies they may do business with in
the future.
These connections help
• Them establish rapport and trust among people in their
own communities. Successful business networking
involves regularly following up with contacts to exchange
valuable information that may not be readily available
outside the network.
Networking

• Examples of networks…
– Student organization participation
– Laboratory groups / project teams
– Departmental List Serves, Career Fairs
• How students network every day…
– Ask for recommendations from friends, peers
– Seek information from faculty, advisors, employers, and alumni
– Meet new contacts through friends at lunch, class, or Facebook
 Barriers to Successful Networking
• Feel like we’re bothering people
• Uncomfortable asking for something (Schmoozing)
• Believe that we don’t have a network
• Unsure what to say and do
• Lack of preparation, practice
 Keep in Mind…
• People like to give advice
• People like to be helpful
• You will have an opportunity to provide
networking contact to someone else
• Networking opportunities exist every day
 Understanding Networking
• Networking Goals
– Learn Information
– Ask for advice
– Gather another person’s perspective
– Request a referral
• Networking Sources
– Events, Faculty Members, Employers, Peers, Student & Professional
Organizations, Alumni, Friends, Family
 Preparing to Network
• Self Reflection
• Preparing to talk about me
• Researching Networking Contacts and Organizations
• Connecting Yourself to the Organization
• Developing Questions for your Networking Contacts
 Self Preparation
• Define networking goals
• Identify relevant info about me
– Career Interests and Goals
• Academic highlights
– Major / Specialization (why I chose it)
– Projects and Courses
• Experience Highlights
– Co-Ops and Internships
– Learning Factory, Senior Design Projects
– Research Opportunities
 Researching the Contact
• Mission of the organization
• Products and services
• Unique interest (Organizational Culture, Location, Training Programs)
• Range of relevant positions
• Needs and goals
• ** Basis for your questions and requests
 Finding the Common Ground
• Connect you to the Organization
• Consider what you offer (what makes you stand out)
– Experience
– Education and Projects
– Goals
– Leadership (and other) Activities
– Personal Qualities
– Referrals (from faculty, current employee, alumni)
 Questions to Ask
• Please tell me more about ____ opportunities within ABC.
• What type of projects are recently hired Engineering graduates working
on?
• What advice do you have for me as I pursue…?
• What can I share with you about PSU? Mechanical or Nuclear
Engineering?
• Would you be willing to discuss your experience working at ABC?
• What qualities and skills do you seek in candidates for ____ position?
 How to Network
• Initiating the Conversation
– Welcome, Thank You, Glad you are here
• Introducing yourself (Practice)
– Nonverbal Communication
– Ask for information about the contact.
• Connect with the Contact
– Listen actively
– Give Contact a reason to invest time in you.
• Ask your question(s) (Practice)
• Offer to share information, resources, or assistance with the contact if applicable
(practice)
• Close the conversation (Practice)
 Networking Follow Up
• THANK your contacts (telephone / email)
• Act on suggested action items
– Applying for positions
– Contacting other individuals
– Delivering information
– Your follow through will distinguish you from your peers!
 Networking Record Keeping
• Record Networking Contact Information:
– Contact Name
– Title
– Organization
– Telephone Number and Email Address
– Content of discussion (Summary)
– Future Direction and Plan
– Date (range) to follow up
 Building the Network
• Consider what you can offer your contacts
• Keep contacts informed about relevant opportunities, news items, and progress you
make toward your goals
• Introduce your contact to new individuals or groups who share a common interest
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Classification of people surrounding you

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Offline Networking

• 1. Joining local business organizations and

chambers of commerce
• You can join local business communities and be a member
of various chambers of commerce for specific industries.
Their events, mixers or presentations serve as a brilliant
opportunity to connect with various business
professionals and make them aware of their services.
Offline Networking

• 2. Hosting or participating in meetups and

networking events
• You can host or attend small social meetups for
businesses and freelancers or attend networking events.
• Remember the 12 x 12 x 12 rule above? The other two
12s stand for how you appear to others from 12 feet away
and how your body language seems from 12 feet away.
The first part means that you should appear professional.
The other part means that your body language should
communicate trustworthiness, openness and friendliness
Offline Networking

• 3. Join co-working spaces

• One of the best ways of networking for freelancers is to
join co-working spaces and connect with other
entrepreneurs and professionals.
• This helps build new connections and facilitates the
exchange of thoughts and collaboration ideas.
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What Will I Say?
• May I ask your advice?
• Develop a brief (10-second introduction)
• Practice a 30-second description of your goals and
related experience
• Ask questions
• Practice, Practice, and Practice
 Special Considerations
• Given the growing number of networking opportunities
available to people looking to start or advance their
careers, it's important to take some time to explore your
options before committing to a specific networking group.
• While it's tempting for a new business owner or someone
looking for a dream job to join as many networks as
possible, a better strategy is to target your time and
efforts toward those groups that best fit your needs and
interests. Many networking organizations will host a
special meet and greet events that allow potential new
members to attend a meeting before becoming a
member.
 How Can I Network Efficiently?
• It's important to take some time to explore your options
before committing to a specific networking group. While
it's tempting for a new business owner or someone
looking for a dream job to join as many networks as
possible, a better strategy is to target your time and
efforts toward those groups that best fit your needs and
interests.

• Many networking organizations will host a special meet

and greet events that allow potential new members to
attend a meeting before becoming members. Once you
 Why Should Businesses Network?

• Small business owners network to develop relationships

with people and companies they may do business with in
the future. These connections help them establish rapport
and trust among people in their own communities.
Successful business networking involves regularly
following up with contacts to exchange valuable
information that may not be readily available outside the
network.

• Business owners and entrepreneurs often join their local

chamber of commerce to promote their business interests
Nurturing client relationships

• 1. Personalization is the key

• Every customer has a distinguished set of business challenges,
goals and requirements, a template approach does not work.
Hence, personalization is a powerful element of successful
networking. You need to tailor your approach, services and
communication style to cater to their individual needs.
• According to a McKinsey report, 71% of consumers expect
personalised interactions. Moreover, personalisation helps
businesses increase their revenue by 40%. Interestingly, 78% of
customers are likely to repurchase and recommend businesses that
offer personalised services. Thus, personalisation is extremely
crucial in the digital age.
Nurturing client relationships

• 1. Personalization is the key

• Personalization can be divided into four actions steps:
• Meet the client halfway
• Know their tastes
• Offer something exclusive for them
• Check regularly with the client
• You can ask them personalised questions about their business such
as what made them start the business and the type of clients they
work with. In essence, you should be genuinely interested in
knowing more about the client and their business rather than
seeking superficial information.
Nurturing client relationships

• 2. Effective communication
• Active listening and prompt response are two of the most
crucial elements of building effective client relationships.
Communication does not refer to only connecting with the
client regarding project queries and updates. Effective
communication includes the following actions:
• Offering relevant service recommendations
• Tailored messaging
• Providing targeted promotions
• Celebrating milestones
• Following up with the client after the purchase
Nurturing client relationships

• 3. Going the extra mile

• Another way to nurture client relationships is to offer
them valuable insights without sounding too sales-y. You
can also offer complementary services, or additional
resources beneficial for their business. The thumb rule is
to under-promise and over-deliver by providing timely
delivery and excellent quality services that exceed their
expectations.
 Nurturing client relationships

• 4. Follow VCP process

• Building and nurturing quality client relationships requires a lot of
time and effort. You can follow the VCP process to enhance your
networking strategies. It follows these three stages.
• Visibility: In the first phase, a prospective client is aware of your
freelancing services through referrals or personal branding. There is
also initial communication with the client but it is yet to turn into
something material. This is the crux of networking. Without this
stage, you cannot build client relationships.
• Credibility: During this stage, the client slowly builds trust by
regularly communicating with you. This is your chance to enhance
your credibility by offering them valuable insights, rendering
services, and meeting their expectations. Here they turn from a
prospective lead to a client.
Networking
Networking Must…
• Believe in yourself
• Ask questions
• Be a good listener
• Present yourself as knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and prepared
• Demonstrate non-verbal communication which emphasizes interest
(SMILE)
• Show interest in assisting / developing others
Networking
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People make use of their network
People make use of their network
People make use of their network
People make use of their network
Networking
What Is Online Networking?

• Professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn

provide an online location for people to engage with other
professionals, join groups, post blogs, and share
information.
• And, of course, they provide a place to post a resume
• that can be seen by prospective employers,
• to search for jobs, or to identify job candidates.

• These days, a business-to-business (B2B) customer

pipeline can be developed almost entirely through the use
of a social networking site. Online networking forums
Networking

• Early computing
The PLATO system was launched in 1960 after
being developed at the University of Illinois and
subsequently commercially marketed by
Control Data Corporation.
It offered early forms of social media features with 1973-era
innovations such as Notes,
PLATO's message-forum application;
TERM-talk, its instant-messaging feature; Talkomatic,
perhaps the first online chat room;
News Report, a crowdsourced online newspaper, and blog
Networking

• A precursor of the electronic bulletin board system (BBS),

• known as Community Memory, appeared by 1973.
• True electronic
• BBSs arrived with the Computer Bulletin Board System in
Chicago,
• which first came online on February 16, 1978. Before long,
• most major cities had more than one BBS running on
TRS-80, Apple II, Atari, IBM PC, Commodore 64, Sinclair,
and similar personal computers.
• The IBM PC was introduced in 1981, and subsequent
models of both Mac computers and PCs were used
Networking

• Development of social-media platforms

• SixDegrees, launched in 1997, is often regarded as the
first social media site.
• In 1991, when Tim Berners-Lee integrated hypertext
software with the Internet, he created the World Wide
Web, marking the beginning of the modern era of
networked communication. This breakthrough facilitated
the formation of online communities and enabled support
for offline groups through the use of weblogs, list servers,
and email services. The evolution of online services
progressed from serving as channels for networked
communication to becoming interactive platforms for
Networking

• Development of social-media platforms

• Social media started in the mid-1990s with the invention
of platforms like GeoCities, Classmates.com, and
SixDegrees.com
• While instant messaging and chat clients existed at the
time, SixDegrees was unique as it was the first online
service designed for real people to connect using their
actual names. It boasted features like profiles, friends
lists, and school affiliations, making it "the very first social
networking site" according to CBS News.[22][23] The
platform's name was inspired by the "six degrees of
separation" concept, which suggests that every person on
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• using the personal relationships people have with one

another to increase
your exposure to information and opportunity
• Cultivate your network during studying years
• Including different ages and backgrounds
• 23% of Europe students who left in 2010 to
enter graduate level employment
found their job through personal contacts
Networking

• What happens if I google you

• First impressions count – even online!
• 45% of employers use social networks to screen job candidates
• 35% of employers did not offer a job based on a candidate’s content uncovered on a social
networking site
• Facebook, LinkedIn and My Space are targets
• Provocative photos / references to drinking and drug use are cited by employers as ‘red
flags’
• Bad mouthing previous employers/colleagues and poor online communication skills also a
problem
• Social media self-audit:
http://mashable.com/2009/04/08/social-media-recruitment
Networking

• So…………
• Lock down your Facebook account!
• Choose and accept your friends wisely
• Be careful what you post
• What does your online behaviour / presence say about you?
Networking

• Gain access to experts & network – ‘gatekeepers’

• Investigate career paths of others
• Join relevant ‘communities of interest’
• Search & enquire about jobs
How to start your networking

• 1. Strengthen business connections

• Networking is about sharing, not taking. It is about
forming trust and helping one another toward goals.
Regularly engaging with your contacts and finding
opportunities to assist them helps to strengthen the
relationship. By doing this, you sow the seeds for
reciprocal assistance when you need help to achieve your
goal
How to start your networking

• 2. Get fresh ideas

• Your network can be an excellent source of new
perspectives and ideas to help you in your role.
Exchanging information on challenges, experiences and
goals is a key benefit of networking because it allows you
to gain new insights that you may not have otherwise
thought of.
How to start your networking

• 3. Raise your profile

• Being visible and getting noticed is a benefit of
networking that’s essential in career building. Regularly
attending professional and social events will help make
your face known.
• Create value for other attendees by listening carefully,
following up on conversations, remembering names, and
offering your knowledge and expertise.
• Raising your profile within professional circles will also
help you stand out to recruiters, who are always on the
lookout for strong talent and who may be more likely to
How to start your networking

• 4. Advance your career

• Being visible and getting noticed is a benefit of
networking that’s essential in career building . Regularly
attending professional and social events will help to get
your face known. You can then help to build your
reputation as being knowledgeable, reliable and
supportive by offering useful information or tips to people
who need it.
How to start your networking

• 5. Get access to job opportunities

• Expanding your contacts can open doors to new
opportunities for business, career advancement , personal
growth, or simply new knowledge. Active networking
helps to keep you top of mind when opportunities such as
job openings arise and increases your likelihood of
receiving introductions to potentially relevant people or
even a referral
How to start your networking

• 6. Gain more knowledge

• It’s a good idea to actively ask your contacts about
developments and techniques, but also to keep an eye on
what kinds of articles your contacts are sharing on
LinkedIn – don’t forget to comment to let them know that
you’ve appreciated the piece. And don’t discount the
insights of people from other industries – they may be
able to offer new angles you hadn’t previously considered
How to start your networking

• 7. Get career advice and support

• Gaining the advice of experienced peers is an important
benefit of networking. Discussing common challenges and
opportunities opens the door to valuable suggestions and
guidance. Offering genuine assistance to your contacts
also sets a strong foundation for receiving support in
return when you need it
How to start your networking

• 8. Build confidence
• By continually putting yourself out there and meeting new
people, you’re effectively stepping outside your comfort
zone and building invaluable social skills and self-
confidence that you can take with you anywhere. The
more you network, the more you’ll grow and learn how to
make lasting connections
How to start your networking

• 9. Gain a different perspective

• It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of your
professional realm and end up in a rut. By talking to
others in your field or people with expertise in a particular
area, you can gain insights that only come from viewing a
situation with fresh eyes. Asking for opinions from
contacts you trust or admire can help you see things in a
new light and overcome roadblocks that you might not
have known how to circumvent otherwise
How to start your networking

• 10. Develop long-lasting personal

relationships
• Of course, the point of networking is to develop and
nurture professional relationships, but some of the
strongest and most long-standing friendships are borne
from work connections. Your networking contacts are
probably like-minded people with similar goals as your
own, so it’s not unlikely that your professional support
network will spill over into your personal friendships.
Basic elements of Networking

• Fluency and conversation skills:

• One of the advantages of a socially intelligent person is
his possession of conversational skills. A socially
intelligent person can continue to talk with a wide group
of people, and his speech is distinguished by tact and the
appropriate choice of words. These skills are called the
skill of social expression.
• Knowledge of social rules and roles:
• Socially intelligent people are distinguished by their
knowledge of how to play different social roles, which
helps them easily deal with the different types and
 Basic elements of Networking

Possessing listening skill:

• Socially intelligent people are great listeners. When dealing with a
socially intelligent person who has a high listening skill, we feel as if
we have known him for years.
• Lack of desire to argue:
• A socially intelligent person does not like to get into arguments and
does not reject the other person's ideas outright, but rather listens
to them with an open mind, even when they are ideas that he
personally does not agree with.
Understanding and reading others:
• People with high social intelligence have the ability to understand
others and understand what they are thinking and feeling.
Understanding emotions is part of emotional intelligence that is
Note

• 1-Pay attention to others

• 2. Understand yourself
• 3. Improve your communication skills
• 4. Learn how to resolve conflicts
• 5. Be empathetic
• 6. Invest in your relationships
What are the Benefits of Networking?
What are the Benefits of Networking?

• . 1. Networking Allows Access to New Information

• It's human nature to enjoy being in your comfort zone and
that’s no different when it comes to work. While you
might feel comfortable in your current role, taking a
habitual approach to your job or career where you don’t
continue to challenge yourself can hold you back. Not
only can it slow your professional development, but it can
also limit you from gaining exposure to new technologies
or better ways of working.
• Proactively seeking alternative perspectives and new
ideas from your network can help you to solve problems,
view challenges through a different lens and improve both
What are the Benefits of Networking?

• 2. Networking Raises Your Personal Profile

• Building meaningful connections with people tends to
happen over a gradual period through multiple
interactions. Meeting with a diverse group of people on a
regular basis can help build your personal brand and
enhance your visibility in the industry or market you work
in.
• Regularly meeting with people in your network or
attending industry events is a great way to build and
maintain connections and help raise your profile.
Individuals at industry events are likely relevant to your
career and can be great at introducing you to professional
What are the Benefits of Networking?

• 3. Networking Can Help Advance Your Career

• It goes without saying that the broader your network, the
more people there are who know you and in turn can
vouch for you. When it comes to career opportunities and
advancement, who you know — or who knows you — is
often just as important as your skills.
• By building a good reputation through networking, you
are more likely to be remembered and contacted when
job opportunities arise. Having a strong connection with a
recruiter is also a great way to help elevate your profile
and gain access to new job opportunities
What are the Benefits of Networking?

• 4. Networking Builds Your Confidence

• Face-to-face networking is a wonderful opportunity to
boost your confidence, a valuable social skill that can help
you throughout your career — whether in job interviews,
meetings or even in social situations. By regularly putting
yourself out there to meet with new people, your
communication skills can also develop more, and you can
get more comfortable in different professional situations.
• Virtual networking is also now easier than ever before.
And with so many video technology platforms and virtual
events available, networking is still a possibility if face-to-
face meetings is not your preference
What are the Benefits of Networking?

• 5. Networking Establishes References

• Your professional network is a great place to source
references from when applying to jobs. Having individuals
who can speak to your experience, character and skills is
a critical component in most job applications. By already
having relationships in place and regularly developing
them through ongoing interactions, asking for a reference
from a professional contact in your network will feel more
natural.
What are the Benefits of Networking?

• 6. Networking Develops Lasting Relationships

• One of the main benefits of networking is that frequently
your best professional connections will develop into
personal relationships, too. To have connected in the first
place means you likely have something(s) in common, so
it’s no surprise that those connections often transcend
from professional contacts into long-lasting personal
friendships
 Summary
• 70% job vacancies filled by recommendation or referral
• The wider your network, more likely you are to find the right connections
• Reach out to personal networks
• Volunteer, get involved to meet new people
• Keep your contacts informed – your 1st job won’t be your last (long term
process)
• Explain why networking is important
• Identify ways of describing themselves and their career goals succinctly
• Recognise and take advantage of a networking opportunity when it arises
• Develop networking skills
• Increase awareness of networking resources
 Summary
• Networking is a life-long skill and requires practice and
commitment
• Networking is a 2-way interaction – remember to ask what you
can offer
• The audience is eager to meet and learn about you (potentially
wants to hire you)
• You have valuable skills, experiences, and areas of knowledge
to share
• This is a starting point, an opportunity to learn, build a
foundation to reach goals
Thank You