(1888PressRelease)
October 09, 2008 - forum3, the leading forum and event for not-for-profit recruitment, today launches a best practice networking guide in advance of its event on October 10 where 15,000 people from the Third Sector will gather.
Knowing how to network can quickly turn into a job lead or a future contact. On the other hand failing to network can as easily result in losing a potential employer. In order to help people make a great impression, forum3 has outlined the 11 core principles for becoming a networking extraordinaire. Ranging from how to prepare and introduce yourself to choosing the right dress code and making the best follow-up call. The guide has something for everyone attending any event, large or small.
A snapshot of the top 11 tips:
1. Be prepared – Ask yourself what you want to get out of the event, who you want to meet and which not-for-profit organisation you’d like to learn more about. Check out that all-important exhibitor list.
2. Plan your intro – Can you introduce yourself in 60 seconds without sounding like you’re reading from a script? The beginning of a conversation is when you make the most important impression but also when you are most nervous. Rehearse this part well.
3. The small print – bring a CV and make sure it’s not last years; but yesterday’s. If you have business cards, bring them – and use them.
4. Bag the information – You will be offered a mountain of information at all the stands and it’s heavy and hard to carry without a bag. Also, bring a pen and notepad so you can write down that vital mobile phone number from a prospect.
5. Dress the part – Know your audience. A suit and tie might be too conservative but it’s unlikely anyone will respect you if you turn up in battered jeans, mucky t-shirt and muddy trainers.
6. Be yourself – real networking is about being genuine and authentic. forum3 is a wide and diverse meeting place and there are opportunities for a great variety of people with a range of skills.
7. Ask questions – this is when you find out information that could help you change your life. It’s an opportunity to make a judgement on the prospective employers and voluntary organisers too.
8. Sing about your achievements – in a crowded venue you need to stand out. When asked about your job or skills talk about what you’ve achieved not just what the tasks were.
9. Who you talk to – it’s not just the people on the stands that have something to teach you: everyone at forum3 has a shared interest in not-for-profit.
10. Cover the ground – make sure you don’t get stuck in one place and miss opportunities around the corner: maximise your time.
11. Follow up – prepare time the next day or week to follow up with the people you met. Exhibitors will talk to hundreds of people during the event, so you may need to remind them how keen you are.
Deborah Hockam, director of forum3 said,“For some people, speaking to someone they don’t know can be terrifying and networking does not come naturally to everyone. Events are unique places to make new contacts and talk to people about important issues that can make a difference in their life and careers.”
“Our upcoming event will give attendees 15,000 opportunities to network and we want to make sure people take full advantage of this. This is why we have created this guide to help overcome any fears and make those who are already good at networking even better.”
The full guide can be downloaded at:
www.forum3.co.uk/networking
About forum3
forum3 is the leading UK yearly recruitment event for the Third Sector. It attracts 15,000 visitors from the full spectrum of the not-for-profit sector including 150 top charities such as Cancer Research UK, Big Issue, NSPCC, National Trust, RSPB, Disability Now, and the RSPCA.
forum3 started in 2001 as a recruitment event for the charity and not-for-profit sector and has over the past eight years grown into one of the most high-profile network forums in the country. In addition to the event, forum3 now also has a dedicated charity jobs board and an online charity network, transforming forum3 into a fully integrated charity recruitment resource.
forum3 enables charities to network with their peers and is an ideal place to identify the most talented and dynamic candidates to join their organisations. It gives job seekers one of the most comprehensive and varied resources for Third Sector employment, whether it’s for part time voluntary work, longer careers or just an opportunity to create personal connections and debate the latest issues.
The next forum3 event is held on October 10 -11 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.
To find out more, please visit http://www.forum3.co.uk
For further details contact:
Lucy George
Ph: +44 (0) 7817 892 217
Email: lucy ( @ ) lucygeorge dot co.uk
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