This term we held our first ever Internships Networking Night! This was a chance for you to speak directly with employers who not only offer internships, but who have live – you read that right – LIVE internship vacancies! From Shazam to Vodaphone to HSBC there was a diverse mix of employers present and plenty of questions being asked about the recruitment process, application tips and further opportunities. We wanted to provide you with the chance to explore your options and flex your networking muscles.
But what’s the big deal about networking?
Now if you’ve heard it once, you’ve probably heard it a hundred times – networking is essential in the world of work. It seems the jury is once again out on the old saying: “It’s not what you know, but who you know” but over at King’s Careers we think it’s all about striking the right balance. When it comes to the what – it’s about demonstrating how the skills you’ve gained from your degree, society involvement, part-time job or internship has prepared you for the career you want to embark on and how those skills are applicable to the specific sector or role you’re applying for.
The who we believe is equally important but not for the reasons you might think. Yes, it’s great to collect lots of business cards at networking events or to work the room and be done in ten minutes – but it’s the quality of those conversations that will have an impact. When networking think about what you’d like a (potential) employer to know about you. What are your USPs (unique selling points)? Why are you interested in that particular brand or company – what is it about them? Also use this opportunity to hear directly from company representatives, ask what the work culture is like, what they enjoy about their role and their experiences – perhaps even their route into the company. See networking opportunities as a chance to get a feel for a company. Though it can be difficult at busy events, focus on trying to build a rapport. It’s better to spend a few minutes talking to one employer and being able to ask an interesting and memorable question than it is to spend 30 seconds introducing yourself and moving on to the next, making little to no impression.
Remember – networking doesn’t just take place in person any more! You can network on social media, on LinkedIn and over email but the same reasoning applies. Focus on quality rather than quantity. Followed ten new people on twitter? Brilliant! But now it’s about engaging and interacting with them and having a conversation. If you want to finesse your networking skills and find out more about the different ways to network, don’t miss the next workshop in the Future Advantage Series: Networking & Social Media. Book your place here.
If you missed our first Internships Networking Night don’t worry, we’re hoping to hold another next year, and here’s a round up of the employers with live internship & graduate vacancies