6 tips for successful networking

Graduating from EDHEC is an achievement to be proud of. Our courses equip you with the knowledge you need to speed up your professional and personal success. In order to keep growing, take on new challenges and bounce back from difficulties, it is crucial to surround yourself with the right people. That’s where effective networking can come into play.
Here are 6 tips from Martin Barbier (EDHEC 1988), Director of EDHEC Alumni, to make the most of your networking skills and propel your career towards new heights.

1. List the networks you already belong to and make sure you play an active part

You already belong naturally to networks like your circle of friends, colleagues, former classmates, fellow parents or members of your sports club. Identify these networks for it is here that it is easiest to establish sincere and authentic relationships, the key to guaranteeing lasting networking. Identify those that can offer you the most useful relationships.

2. Set out your objective and simply take pleasure in networking

Here are a few examples of objectives you can achieve through networking. Clearly write down what means most to you to ensure your networking is effective:

• More job and business opportunities
• Broader and more in-depth acquaintances
• Improve your capacity for innovation
• Advance more quickly
• Heightened status and authority
• Improve the quality of your work/increase your professional satisfaction
  
  
  

You can also network simply for the pleasure of meeting others. Each encounter will allow you to learn more about your profession and about yourself or to discover new horizons. You might also find shared interests you were unaware of, or perhaps simply network to help others or act in the interests of your company rather than for your own advancement.

3. Demystify relationships: adopt the right approach

It is important to leave behind the attitude of someone looking for help and instead adopt a more adult and balanced approach with your interlocutor. It is important to understand that in most networking encounters, each party has certain qualities and contributions that can benefit the other. Reaching out to someone already means you recognise their value; it is a complement and an opportunity for them to be a good person by agreeing to help you.
To strike the right balance, prepare your networking encounters in advance: find out about the company to understand its strategy; look for common ground or topics of interest to you both. At this point, it may be useful to prepare some interesting information to share with them or send them at a later date: an article, study report, podcast, book, contacts, etc. Think about what you can offer them so they will walk away satisfied from your first encounter.

4. Take part in relevant networking events

Conferences, trade fairs and networking events are excellent opportunities to meet influential people in your sector. Plan your participation in relevant events and prepare to engage in significant conversations. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, share your ideas and listen carefully to what other participants have to say.

5. Maximise your networking encounters: establish links with new contacts

Make sure you don’t walk away from your interlocutor without getting useful contacts from them so you can broaden your search for information. Don’t hesitate to give them a list of the business sectors and companies you’re interested in. This will help them to identify more easily the potential contacts that match your criteria.
It is 10 times more likely that a tangible link will be established if you are directly introduced by someone they know well. To this end, help the person who has agreed to introduce you by preparing the precise messages to convey (your background, your needs, your availability): this will save them time and ensure that they introduce you without making any mistakes. Ideally, ask them to set up a three-way conversation on LinkedIn or copy you into an email they send to the person in question.

6. Maintain your network regularly by phone, email or LinkedIn

Regularly maintain your contacts by asking for news of their projects or keeping them up to speed with your own career progress. It is imperative for you to be on their mind as much as possible so they will think of you if an opportunity arises. Be sure to thank those you have had a chance to talk to, share useful information and offer to help any time you can. This constancy in your approach will consolidate your professional relationships in the long term.

Further initiatives:

• Find the EDHEC graduates in the sectors that you’re interested in using the filters in the online directory or among the members of the EDHEC ressources club, a community of 4500 graduates who have agreed to answer questions from other members in the EDHEC Alumni community
• Sign up for our mentoring platform Alumni Connect (2 options: informal one-to-one sessions or a comprehensive mentoring programme)
• Join our clubs to network with graduates in your sector or city
• Take on an active role in the EDHEC Alumni association. We are always looking for candidates to proudly represent each of the EDHEC programmes, especially on the EDHEC Alumni Board of Trustees and in our clubs.