51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Networking skills:

• Informal and formal social skills
• Good communication skills
• Active listening skills

Note: You can still develop your network if you are reserved or shy. Good networking is often about asking lots of questions and showing a genuine interest in what the other person has to say, so don’t worry if you’re not always confident talking about yourself. If you're new to networking, provides a practical introduction to networking and explains how it can be used to access information, opportunities and industry contacts.

See our - a short guide to help you prepare for employer events and networking opportunities. You can also visit the Networking at Events section of this page for additional tips on preparing for, participating in and following up after employer events.

If you are at the beginning stages of building your network, the five-point plan below might be useful:

Beginning Networking: a five-point plan

1. Have a goal in mind – networking is usually most successful if you have already done a bit of research into a sector or a company, so you have an idea of what you’d like to achieve by developing your network.
2. Who are your contacts already? List people you know who are connected to your chosen career area and people who may know someone else who is. Consider academic staff, alumni, employers/alumni visiting our careers fairs, parents/ relatives, their friends, parents and relatives of your friends and so on. Each of these contacts is likely to have their own network of further contacts.
3. Plan where you will do your networking. Think about this for both in-person and online. Opportunities could include careers fairs, employer talks, conferences, industry projects, professional bodies or special interest groups. Have a look at the Events Calendar on JobsLive for some ideas coming up soon.
4. How will you make your introduction? It might help to prepare a short paragraph or two, introducing yourself, stating what you have to offer and what your plans are as a good starting point. This might include what you’re currently doing at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, some information about relevant work experience/projects/skills developed and your thoughts or ideas about how your contact could help you (e.g. provide a few minutes of their time to discuss...).
5. Follow up and say thanks. Follow up your arrangements with your contact and prepare questions you wish to ask, thinking about the initial goal you had in mind. Are you trying to find out what it’s like to work in a particular company or sector? Are you hoping to find out what skills are most sought after in new graduates? Make sure to thank the people that have given their time for you, as this leaves a positive impression of the interaction and builds your reputation.

Who do you already know?

Make a list of contacts you have engaged with professionally already, for example:

• Other students will go on to have their own networks, connect now so you can stay in touch in the future;
• Within your own department - academic staff, postdocs, PhD students (past and present);
• Industry or business contacts you've met during collaborations or while attending conferences;
• Professional networks and special interest groups.

Remember each of your contacts has their own network and people are often more willing to provide information and advice than you might think.

Effective networking often starts with strengthening existing connections rather than approaching complete strangers. Friends, classmates, academic staff, alumni and previous colleagues can all help you gain insights into roles, organisations and career paths.

Building and maintaining your network

Looking after professional relationships over time can be one of the most valuable aspects of networking. Friends, classmates, academic staff, alumni and previous colleagues can all help you gain insights into roles, organisations and career paths, and maintaining these connections can lead to further opportunities and valuable career insights.

To maintain your network:

• Stay in touch occasionally with key contacts.
• Let people know how their advice or support has helped you.
• Connect professionally on platforms such as LinkedIn.
• Share useful information and opportunities where relevant.

, former Chairman and CEO of Heidrick & Struggles, explores practical strategies for building and maintaining a professional network throughout your career.

Alumni engagement

Alumni associations are a great way to meet new people and provide their members with plenty of opportunities for networking. 51³Ô¹ÏÍø has alumni associations all over the world who will be pleased to welcome you. Find out more on the alumni pages.

If you have any questions about alumni associations, please contact the Alumni Office.

The Careers Service also has initiatives you can use to engage with Alum. 

In today’s global job market, online networking is a powerful way to connect with professionals, explore opportunities, and stay informed about your chosen field. Many professional associations related to your subject or career interests offer online networking platforms, discussion forums, and virtual events, so it’s worth checking their websites regularly.

To get started, watch our short YouTube video: .

Examples of networking starting points include the (IET), , and .

These communities offer a chance to connect with like-minded professionals, stay up to date with industry trends, and access potential job leads or mentorship opportunities.

LinkedIn and social media

 is a widely used professional networking site that enables individuals to connect with one another or join interest groups across the globe.

You can use LinkedIn to find information and boost your own presence, as well as connecting with interesting people including 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Alumni.

• Once you are a LinkedIn group member, you will be able to learn about other members of that group and you can study their career paths.
• You can connect with people directly, pose questions or simply read up about current debates to inform your understanding of a job sector.
• Your LinkedIn profile can boost your visibility for employers, and is an opportunity to expand on points you have mentioned in your CV.
• Explore and engage with alumni through the .

The key to using LinkedIn effectively is creating a personal profile and writing a short summary statement about yourself. See the and - both will help get you started.

You can also book onto one of our Career Essentials: LinkedIn workshops via JobsLive

Many employers have created Facebook pages, X feeds and blogs – all of which can help you stay informed about the industry sector you are hoping to enter.

Before you get actively involved in using social media for networking and job hunting, consider typing your own name into Google to check your digital footprint and ensure that what people see is what you would like them to see.

Also, engage with us on ,  , and , to keep up to date with our events.

Employer presentations, careers fairs, conferences and professional events provide an excellent opportunity to develop your network, learn about organisations and gain insights directly from employers and professionals.

Attend Careers Service events

The Careers Service arranges networking events, employer-led workshops and career fairs, which are all excellent opportunities to build your network and learn directly from employers and alumni. Book via JobsLive and visit the What's On section of the website for details of upcoming events and opportunities.

Many students worry about what to say when approaching employers, but effective networking is usually based on curiosity and genuine interest rather than trying to impress people. A genuine interest in the organisation, role or industry can often lead to more meaningful conversations.

Before the event

Preparation can make networking much easier and help you feel more confident:

• Research the organisations attending and identify those you would particularly like to speak to.
• Read about current projects, developments, products or challenges facing the organisation.
• Prepare two or three questions that demonstrate your interest and research.
• Be ready to introduce yourself briefly, including your course, year of study and career interests.
• Consider what you would like to achieve from the conversation, such as learning about a role, understanding a recruitment process or exploring an industry.

During the event

When speaking with employers or professionals:

• Introduce yourself confidently and clearly.
• Ask open questions that encourage discussion.
• Listen actively and show genuine interest in the responses.
• Be respectful of queues and other attendees waiting to speak.
• Take brief notes afterwards so you can remember key points and contacts.

Examples of useful networking questions include:

• What do you enjoy most about working for your organisation?
• What skills are particularly valued in new graduates?
• How did you enter this career area?
• What advice would you give to someone interested in this field?
• Are there any upcoming opportunities students should be aware of?

After the event

Networking doesn't finish when the event ends:

• Reflect on what you learned and any actions you want to take.
• Connect with relevant contacts on LinkedIn where appropriate.
• Send a brief thank-you message if someone has provided significant help or advice.
• Follow organisations and professional bodies that you discovered through the event.
• Continue developing relationships over time rather than contacting people only when you need something.

Remember that successful networking is about building relationships over time. Even a brief conversation at an event can lead to valuable insights, future opportunities and lasting professional connections.