The importance of networking

 

Networking is one of the most valuable things you can do to progress your career, whatever your level of experience. Events are often full of like-minded individuals, and if you get the event right, there will be plenty of people around that you can work with or learn from in some way.

 

Why network?

Your career will benefit

Unfortunately, these days, it's not enough to produce high-quality work. Being able to talk about your attendance at networking events during an interview demonstrates to your interviewer that you are passionate about your role and the industry within which you work.

 

You'll build relationships

A good working relationship will help you to get things done and you're sowing the seeds for new and repeat business moving forward. You need to connect with others with similar interests, talk to them about your interests and career goals, and build relationships with people you might not otherwise have met. Face-to-face networking events create lasting positive impressions in the minds of people you meet, so you're at the top of their list when they need to deliver some work or make a new hire.

 

Your understanding will improve

Who knows what you might learn?! Perhaps useful hints and tips about how others are approaching your job differently. Or maybe you'll learn something you didn't know about the market or industry trends?

 

The best people are doing it

Yes, they are! The best consultants are "all-rounders". If you're level-pegging with another candidate at interview stage then you'll need to pull something else out the bag to demonstrate to your prospective employer that you're the best person for the job – queue passionate conversation about a CPD seminar you attended last week.

 

How to network well

Have a plan

What do you want to get out of the event? Don't just go to collect business cards and be seen. You should approach networking as you approach your work; set a goal for yourself and find a networking opportunity that meets that goal.

 

Break the ice

You'll be a pro at this in no time but if you're new to the networking scene then having a line ready to go which will help you generate conversation. Simple ones can be the best "What brings you to this event?" You'll soon be able to put your own stamp on things and come up with your own style.

 

Talk about your career goals

It might surprise you, but everyone attending the event is doing so to better their careers in some way so why not talk about what you're all trying to achieve? You'll come away with some great hints and tips and maybe even a mentor!

 

Follow up

After making the effort to attend an event make sure you stay connected with those you meet. A business card is no good if it just stays in your desk drawer. Email those you met, or even better give them a call while you're still fresh in your mind.

 

What events can I attend?

There are plenty of different types of events you can attend, from webinars and breakfast meetings to exhibitions and presentations.
I am a member of various groups who send monthly newsletters to publicise events but I also find Eventbrite a useful search tool to find events going on in my area.

Over the next few months I will be attending;

Edie Live! NEC Birmingham 22nd & 23rd May 2018

London Build: London Olympia 23rd & 24th Oct 2018

Ecobuild: Excel London March 6 –March 8, 2018

Contaminated land Expo 2018 NEC Birmingham Sept 12th and 13th

 

Mattinson Partnership held our very first networking event in March in aid of International Women's Day. We provided a platform for our clients and candidates to come together and celebrate collaborative working in our sector. We had a varied panel of speakers who were able to offer a few different perspectives for the audience, which generated some interesting questions for our Q&A session. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive with most attendees saying it was a lovely opportunity to network with like-minded people in a relaxed environment. The gin tasting session afterwards was also a lovely touch and well received!

As we move forward into the next financial year we will be providing a networking platform for our candidates and clients by hosting more events. What type of event would you like to be part of?

Contact Ruth on 020 7960 2557 / rcp@mattpart.com with your ideas!

In the meantime, take the plunge and get out there – you won't regret it!

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*no longer with the company*

I have a First Class Honours Degree in BSc Environmental Biogeoscience and 4 years consultancy experience with Hyder Consulting. I joined the Mattinson Partnership team in 2011 to head up our environment desk and now support our Director David with the management and growth of our recruitment teams in London and Glasgow.

I kicked off my consultancy career with 2 years on the London 2012 Olympic site working as the Enabling Works CEEQUAL assessor, before signing up for a secondment to Crossrail. I also had an EIA coordination role, coordinating technical inputs from the environmental disciplines that I now recruit for; Ecology, Air Quality, Acoustics, Archaeology and Contaminated Land. My key achievements in consultancy were winning Hyder's Graduate of the Year award and flying to visit colleagues in Australia as part of my prize.

As an active member of the Butterfly Conservation and the South London Botanical Institute, I'm passionate about nature. I love travelling to new places and experiencing different environments and, my ultimate favourite thing is scuba diving. I completed the London Marathon in 2015 and try to keep up with the running, but that's really so I can enjoy as many of London's culinary delights as possible!

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