The value of a UWA degree

If the idea of attending (or being dragged to) another industry networking event, spending the night juggling mini cocktail appetisers while shaking hands with strangers, in a sweaty-palm inducing display of awkwardness (that realistically leaves you with a pile of business cards, and no genuine connections) is beyond bearing, then this article is for you.

Check out these five handy tips for staying front and centre in your network.

1. Keep your friends close…

When we leave a job, we leave more than a title, we leave an impression. Unfortunately over time, as good as that impression may be, unless you keep in touch, it's easy to be forgotten.

When hiring for a new role, talent scouts and HR teams often rely on staff already employed in an organisation to be a key source of referral. In fact, many organisations even foster employee referral programs because they know their staff are likely to refer quality and culturally aligned people that are a great fit for the company.

The power of maintaining connections and keeping in touch with ex co-workers is vital because you never know when they may be presented with an opportunity that could be a perfect fit for you.

2. Stay regular - No, this isn’t a conversation about fibre

Want to be considered? You must be at the forefront of people’s minds. Make sure you stay relevant and visible and keep in touch with your network (in person, not just online).

Ask open-ended questions about their work. What are they working on? What are some of their current challenges? Is there an opportunity for you to help by connecting them to a resource or guiding them, based on your area of expertise?

That said, don’t discount online. Keep up with your LinkedIn profile and be consistent. There’s nothing worse (or more transparent) than a LinkedIn profile that pops to life only when you find yourself looking for work.

And remember, being regular doesn’t have to be high maintenance. Set an expectation for how often you feel you can realistically be present and add value and stick to it. Whether that’s once a week or once every few months.

3. Promote your brand – it’s your best asset

Celebrate your wins and share examples of work you are proud of. But do so with an altruistic lens. Consider your value proposition and how your work has contributed to positive outcomes for your team and your company. Talk about why you were passionate about a certain project and about the people that helped you achieve it.

Not much of a self-promoter? That’s okay too. One of the best ways to keep your brand front and centre is to highlight the achievements of others. That could be in the form of sharing great content from your network (or outside it). Celebrating the achievements of team members and co-workers and highlighting your pride in being a part of the team that delivered something great.

4. Give genuine praise – be like the bar nuts in the joke (they’re complimentary)

They say people will forget what you said and perhaps even forget what you did but people will not forget the way you made them feel.  There is nothing easier and more powerful than simply calling out great work when you see it.

Think of a time when you’ve been praised for good work and how it made you feel. Be the person that makes others feel that way and it will stand you in good stead for years to come.

5. You do you: Embrace where you’re at

There is no shame in being unemployed, or to be seeking new opportunities. In fact, there’s an entire button dedicated to it on Linked−in.

Making your network aware that you are open to new opportunities is an extremely powerful way to drive new prospects. Considering more than 2/3 of all positions are filled via networking, without being publicly advertised, you’d be crazy not to be let people know you’re ready for a conversation.

Now, I’m not saying you should shout it from the rooftops, (especially if you are already gainfully employed and not in the business of upsetting your boss) but there is much to be said for sharing your goals and career aspirations with trusted friends and mentors in your network.

If they don’t know, they can’t help you.

Final thoughts

While there’s no discounting the importance of making new connections throughout your career, it's easy to forget the value of fostering relationships with those you already have. Stay connected, remain genuine and provide value to your network and you'll reap the benefits for years to come.

About the contributor

Working with inspiring brands and individuals to create and curate brand movements that matter is my passion.

I have over 10 years’ experience in managing small and large scale events and functions both locally and abroad, and several years of experience in public relations, brand management, and generalized marketing management.

I started my career close to home, managing events and functions at venues across one of Perth's most sought after function rooms, before making the move to London, working at a boutique brand management and public relations agency.

Relocating back to Australia, I continued working in events and public relations sectors, before transitioning into more generalized roles across the marketing and communications industries, developing breadth and depth in my knowledge of the sector.

I've spent the last few years working in the Brand Experience division of Australias pre-eminent property manager - Scentre Group, owner and operator of the Westfield brand, one of Australia's most trusted and recognized brands.

I pride myself in being a truly results-driven thinker, committed to driving efficiencies and finding and syndicating best practice procedures across the business. I am leader, with a dedication to bringing out the best in people, and creating environments that foster innovation and openness.

You can connect with Mia on Linkedin.