Workplace English 2

Networking
Session 1: Why networking?- Just talking?

Intermediate/Upper-intermediate
Lead-in
The Office Party

● Do you work in an office?

● Have you ever been to an office party? What was it like?
● Do you think it’s a good idea to have parties where you work?
● Does any of you NOT like going to parties or social events with the
people you work with?
A Role-Play
You have all been invited to an end-of-year office party.
Each person will have a different role. You can decide
what role you want to take (depending on whether you
have met before or not).
You will have 1.5 minute to talk to one of your mates
and then you will need to swap partners.
The aim is to find out as much information about the
others as possible.
Try to come back with some common issues.
Some help
Making small talk at the office Reacting to surprising news
party
● How long have you been with the
company? ● Really!
● What’s your job? / What do you do? ● No way!
● Wow, this year has gone by really ● I can’t believe it!
quickly. ● You’re kidding!
● I can’t stand these office parties. ● That’s terrible!
● This is really good; would you like to
try some?
Some further hints
● What's your name?
● Which department are you from?
● What do you like to do in your free time?
● How long have you been working here?
● What type of work do you do?
● What do you like and dislike about your job?
● What's your main achievement?
● What's your ambition for the future?
● What are you working on at the moment?
● Why are you here today?
● What are you hoping to find?
Party-time! (11 mins)
Common grounds

What do you have in common?

Networking vs Chatting
Compare:

● Timing
● Venue
● Tools
● Partners
● Topic areas
● Aim
● Possible outcome
Why network?
Why network?
Did you know that approximately 80% of jobs today are NOT advertised?
Discuss: “If employers are not advertising, how are people finding jobs?”

How did YOU decide on this field of work?

How did YOU get into this field of work?
Why network?
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

● Networking is a strategy for career development and exploration.

● Your social network may be just as important as your skills and experience.
● A personal network is that group of people with whom you interact everyday
– family, friends, parents of friends, friends of friends, neighbors, teachers,
bosses, and co-workers.
● Information and experiences are exchanged for both social and potential
professional reasons.
Why network?
● Hiring managers would rather talk to a potential candidate who has been
recommended by someone they know or already employ.

● One out of every 12 informational interviews results in a job offer.

Why network?
● Humans are inherently social – dynamic networks of trusted individuals
● You inbox information on who you pick out of potential candidates to spend
time with – known, trusted individuals or their referrals
● Sharing of critical information
● More innovation
● Better teams
● Faster advancement
Why network?
Any further ideas?

Have you ever tried?

How is it going with you?
Networking: Where to start?
● Do you have a Facebook account?
● Do you communicate with others by texting?
● Have ever Googled someone or something?
Networking: Social Media
In May of 2010, the Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C., found that half of American
teenagers (ages 12-17) send 50 or more text messages a day, with one-third sending more
than 100 a day. Two-thirds of the texters surveyed said they were more likely to use their
cellphones to text friends than to call them. Fifty-four percent said they text friends once a
day, but only 33 percent said they talk to their friends face-to-face on a daily basis.
Many adults are concerned that for young people growing up today (in the age of “social
media”), online interactions might be eliminating real-world experiences that help to develop
emotions, personal connections, and the necessary communication skills to succeed in the
workplace and society. The fear is that this may impact how they operate in the world as
adults, and how they build adult relationships.
Networking: Social Media

Discuss and list no fewer than five reasons why you believe
using social media (including Facebook and texting) will not only improve the
growth and development of youth today, but help them to develop higher level
communication skills than those of their parents and/or grandparents.
 Networking: Social Media
Any useful tips?

1. Start by deciding who you want to network with.

Ask yourself who is in a position to help you advance your business.

3. Avoid the hard sell

Avoid self-promotion on social media. It’s highly off- 2. Post engaging content
putting and will push people away from your network.

4. Focus on quality over quantity

5. Practice good etiquette
Focus on the quality of your social interactions, not
the number of followers.
https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/entrepreneurial-skills/improve-networking/5-tips-
to-network-on-social-media-like-a-pro