Viewing posts categorised under: Career Progression
In today's competitive job market, making a lasting impression during your job interview is crucial to securing your dream position. With a plethora of highly qualified candidates vying for the same opportunities, employers are increasingly seeking candidates who can not only demonstrate their technical skills and experience but also exude a positive attitude, professionalism, and a genuine passion for the role. By following these Job Interview Tips for Success, you can effectively showcase your qualifications, demonstrate your enthusiasm, and leave a positive and memorable impression on your potential employer, significantly increasing your chances of landing your dream job.
1) Attitude – demonstrate that you really want the job and will be brilliant at it!
- When there is little to choose from between well-qualified candidates, the one demonstrating the best attitude wins every time.
2) Professionalism – be politely early for your interview, well prepared and appropriately dressed/presented.
- If you’re late for your interview, you’re immediately at a massive disadvantage, especially if you don’t apologise immediately and offer a rock-solid excuse.
- Understand the culture of the company you are seeing to make sure you are a good fit.
3) Knowledge – know all about the company you’re applying to, who you are meeting and everything there is to know about the vacant job.
- Knowledge is power and gives you a big advantage in an interview as well as confidence.
4) Ideas – come armed with ideas to demonstrate your ability to deliver in the position you’re going for.
- Think about how you would excel in the job remit presented to you. How to overcome challenges within the market you operate and the market your clients operate within. Demonstrate vision as well as ability.
5) Prove it – Have examples of your achievements front of mind so you can back up any claims made on your CV/application.
- This gives your claims of success more credibility and endorses your trustworthiness.
Photo by Vlada Karpovich
In today's competitive job market, being well-prepared for an interview is crucial for success, especially for professionals seeking opportunities in media agencies. With the ever-evolving landscape of advertising and marketing, it's essential to showcase your skills, knowledge, and adaptability to stand out from the crowd. To help you ace your next media agency interview, here are five essential tips to consider during your preparation.
1. Research the Industry:
Before your interview, dedicate time to research the media agency industry thoroughly. Familiarize yourself with current trends, industry challenges, and emerging technologies. Stay updated on the latest marketing strategies, advertising platforms, and industry news. This research will not only demonstrate your passion for the field but also equip you with valuable insights to discuss during the interview.2. Understand the Agency:
Delve deep into the media agency you're interviewing with. Study their portfolio of clients, notable campaigns, and industry reputation. Gain a clear understanding of their target market, unique selling points, and competitive advantage. This knowledge will allow you to showcase your alignment with the agency's values, expertise, and overall business goals.3. Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience:
Prepare a comprehensive list of your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements in media agency work. Showcase your expertise in areas such as media planning, campaign management, client communication, data analysis, and performance optimization. Be prepared to provide specific examples that illustrate your contributions to successful campaigns and client satisfaction.4. Stay Updated on Industry Tools and Technologies:
Media agencies rely on various tools and technologies to streamline their processes and deliver results. Make sure you are familiar with industry-standard software, advertising platforms, and analytics tools. Stay updated on emerging technologies and programmatic advertising. Demonstrate your ability to adapt and learn new tools quickly, emphasising your technical proficiency and its potential impact on the agency's success.5. Prepare for Behavioural and Case Study Questions:
In addition to technical knowledge, be prepared to answer behavioural and case study questions that evaluate your problem-solving skills, teamwork abilities, and strategic thinking. Practice responding to scenarios that test your ability to manage client expectations, overcome campaign challenges, and deliver effective solutions. Showcase your adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking skills through these responses. Thorough preparation is essential for making a lasting impression during your media agency interview. By researching the industry and the agency, highlighting relevant skills and experiences, staying updated on industry tools and technologies, and practising behavioural and case study questions, you will be well-equipped to demonstrate your expertise, passion, and ability to contribute to the success of a media agency. Stay confident, engage with your interviewers, and showcase your unique value proposition. Best of luck with your interview!Further viewing:
For further great, tangible advice on how to prepare for an interview be sure to check out Cass Thompson on YouTube. https://youtu.be/2Tg7u_VNscQ
Digital marketing requires a diverse set of skills, both technical and creative. Switching careers to digital marketing can be a great decision if you are interested in the field and have the necessary skills.
It can seem a daunting task. When you start looking at job listings you will see that experience of some kind is listed as a requirement. Many roles are highly competed for so it is easy to understand how you might be put off from applying!
If you do not currently work in digital, you are in a similar position to a new graduate, forced to think about how you can demonstrate you've got the goods using your experiences so far in other areas.
Transferable skills, sometimes called portable skills, are the skills you have developed that can be transferred from one job to another, like good communication or time management skills.
This post will look at some of the key transferrable skills that can be useful for a career in digital marketing so you can leverage your experience and get the job you want!
Top 7 Transferrable Skills For A Career In Digital Marketing
#1 Communication
Digital marketing involves working with a variety of stakeholders, including clients, team members, and external partners. Good communication skills are essential for effective collaboration and project management. If you are a teacher, sales person, or work in customer service it is likely you can demonstrate excellent communication skills.#2 Analysis
The ability to analyse data and draw insights from it is a highly valued skill in digital. In search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising analytics are crucial for success. People with engineering or economics backgrounds tend to have a solid background in working with numbers and problem solving. This is a good foundation for working with analytics.#3 Creativity
Digital marketing involves developing and executing creative campaigns that stand out in a crowded online space. Having a creative mindset can help you generate unique ideas and develop effective strategies. Events, hospitality and teaching are good examples of careers where you could leverage your creative abilities to move into digital marketing.
#4 Writing Skills
Writing is an integral part of many digital marketing activities. For example, content marketing and email marketing. Being able to write well-crafted, engaging content is essential for success in these areas. This is a skill that some people are lucky enough to possess naturally, but it is also a skill that can be learned.#5 Project Management
Digital marketing projects often involve managing multiple tasks and stakeholders. Strong project management skills such as prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines are crucial for success. People with project management certifications, IT professionals, lawyers and engineers often have excellent experience of running and managing multiple projects.#6 Technical Abilities
Understanding how websites and online platforms work is essential for many digital marketing activities. Basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and website analytics can be a valuable asset. A professional with a technical background in IT or statistics will tend to have the ability to understand things like automation and AI.
#7 Adaptability
The digital landscape is constantly evolving, so marketers need to be adaptable and willing to learn new skills and tools to stay relevant. Being open to change and able to adapt quickly is essential for success in this field. Check out 5 Top Tips for Becoming A Digital Marketer for more advice!Your Experience Can Be Relevant To Your New Career In Digital
Switching careers can take time, but with the right approach you can find the job you want. For more career advice and job seeking tips, check out our blog page here.
Interviews are a crucial part of the job application process. It's a chance for both the employer and the candidate to know each other better. While the interviewer will ask many questions to determine your suitability for the role, it's essential to keep in mind that there are some questions you should avoid asking. Hiring managers will be looking for more than your qualifications and the worst thing you can do is give the wrong impression based on your questions. In this blog post, we'll discuss five questions that you should avoid asking during an interview.
5 Questions To Avoid Asking At Your Next Interview
Asking bad questions in your interview may indicate a lack of interest, preparation, or even intelligence. Similarly, asking a good question at the wrong time can be just as damaging. Most of these questions should never be asked in a job interview, and some questions should be saved until a job offer has been made. When an interviewer asks you if you have any questions during a job interview, this is your opportunity to do three important things:- Collect final information on the things that will help you make your decision
- Demonstrate to the interviewer that you have listened and have done some research
- Show them you are interested, a good fit and would be a great choice if they make you an offer
#1 Asking About Salary And Benefits
Asking about money can be really awkward. While it's important to know the salary and benefits offered for your potential role, you need to avoid asking about it too soon. A first interview for example.
If you ask about it too soon, it may give the impression that you're more interested in the compensation than the actual job. Questions like:
- How much will I get paid
- How soon can I get a raise?
- What discounts do I get?
- Will you pay for training or an advanced degree for me?
- What other benefits do you provide?
#2 Asking About Time Off
This can be a tricky one and it comes up all the time as a recruiter. Asking about time off during your first interview may send the wrong message to the employer.
It can come across as though you're not committed to the job, and you're already thinking about taking time off. It's best to wait until you've been offered the job before you ask about vacation time or other time off. Try to avoid bluntly asking about time you won't be at work.
- How much paid vacation time would I get?
- How soon can I take a vacation after I start work?
- How many paid personal and/or sick days are allowed?
#3 Asking Overly Personal Questions
While you want to seem friendly and relaxed, asking personal questions during the interview might be considered inappropriate. Make sure you are aware of the company's formality and what is expected. If in doubt, speak to your recruiter! Questions about the interviewer's marital status, religion, or political views should be avoided. It's important to keep the conversation professional and relevant to the job. Questions like this are completely inappropriate and will probably kill your chances of getting a job:- Want to go out for drinks or coffee later?
- Is s/he married or have a significant other?
- Are all the employees here “hot” (or — much worse — “as hot as you are”)?
#4 Asking About The Company's Reputation
Asking about the company's reputation may give the impression that you're not familiar with the company. It's essential to do your research before the interview and have a good understanding of the company's history and reputation. As a candidate, you should focus on how you can contribute to the company instead of questioning its reputation. Avoid questions like "what does the company do?" or "who is the main competition" because you should already know these from your research and asking them will seem as though you are unprepared and uninterested. Research the employer and the location before you go to the interview to be prepared to ask good questions in the interview. If you aren’t interested in them, they surely are not interested in you. A good way to find out more about the company than you can find online is to ask about company culture, for example:- How would you describe your company culture in 3/5 words?
- What kinds of employee achievements are most recognised?
- What is your favourite part of working here that I wouldn't see on a tour/read about online?
#5 Asking About The Job Duties
While you should show an interest in the job role and your duties, asking about them in the wrong way may give the impression that you've a) not familiar with this kind of job, b) haven't read the job description or c0 you've read it and forgotten it!
- What does the person in this job do?
- What are the requirements of the job?
So, What Should You Ask In Your Interview?
You need to prepare by reading and researching the company, job role and if you know who you are interviewing with you can research them! Often, they will answer most of the common interview questions. Be prepared and think about more questions than you think you will need and take notes throughout the interview so you can remember things that catch your interest. Personal (but still professional) questions are great for example:- What do you enjoy most about working here?
- What have past employees done to succeed in this role?
- What qualities are the most important to succeeding in this role?
- Is there anything else I can do or provide to help you make your decision?
- Do you have any hesitations about my qualifications or experience?
Creating a digital marketing portfolio is an essential step for any professional looking to showcase their work and stand out from the competition. You can use LinkedIn to showcase your work. LinkedIn lends itself well to copy, content or graphic design but with so many portfolio websites available, it can be difficult to know which one is the best fit for your needs.
An impressive digital portfolio can be that extra boost that makes an application stand out. This is especially important for those trying to enter the marketing profession for the first time. A portfolio will showcase that you have learned how to do different aspects of marketing, as well as showing your work product capabilities. 
Here's Our Pick of 3 Websites for Creating Your Digital Marketing Portfolios
Creating that stunning digital portfolio can seem impossible. Where do you start? There are countless websites that claim to have high-level tools to aid you in your creative process. While many of them do, there are a few that truly work wonders in creating portfolios for marketers and designers alike. In no particular order, here's our pick of the best free sites.
#1 Wix
Wix is known to be one of the free options when it comes to portfolio creation. It is a great choice for anyone looking for an easy-to-use and customizable website builder. It offers a wide range of templates, from simple designs to more advanced portfolio websites. You also have access to powerful features such as drag-and-drop editing, SEO optimization, and social media integration. The drag and drop tool makes it infinitely simpler to produce what the marketer wants. It is very flexible and functional without requiring any coding knowledge. Whether you are looking for a very simple choice or a more techy and professional outlet, Wix gives you the flexibility you want when starting out.# 2 Flickr 
Flickr is a well-known portfolio site. While it is a good place to display your own work, it is a great way to interact with other digital marketers and serves as inspiration for future projects.
It isn't for everyone though - the heavy focus on the community aspect can make it difficult to get your work seen. Many people using Flickr recommend building a secondary digital marketing portfolio website and connecting to it from Flickr.
Flickr has created a large community of creatives that are open to feedback, portfolio engagement, and images from other users. Flickr is also great for ideas and collaboration on projects.
#3 Behance
Behance is a very visual platform. If your content involves more of a literary or analytic theme, you might find this one isn't for you.
Behance is perfect for designers, illustrators, and creative marketers. It is well-known for creatives to showcase their work, network with other professionals, and get discovered. It offers a range of portfolio templates to choose from and provides the ability to easily share your work on other social media platforms.
Whether you are looking for the attention of digital marketing hiring managers, or that of agencies, Behance is a great way for new marketers to show off their skills. A key aspect of its functionality lies in growing the audience of its creators.
Which One Will You Choose For Your Digital Marketing Portfolio
No matter what platform you choose, creating an online portfolio is an important step in marketing yourself as a creative professional. With the right portfolio website, you can showcase your work, connect with other creatives, and stand out from the competition. The site mentioned in this article are only a small selection but there is something to suit everyone. Are you looking for your next step in digital marketing? Dotgap is a recruitment agency with a difference. We are ex-agency so we know the ins and outs of working in this industry and are committed to helping you progress. Get in touch now or visit our jobs page for more vacancies If you enjoyed this article, you might want to check out these previous posts: Elevate your Job Search With These 3 Tips For Using Social Media 5 Essential Things You Must Include On Your Digital Marketing CV in 2023
Writing a successful CV in 2023 might sound like a daunting task. There are a lot of job vacancies but competition is fierce. A lot has changed and continues to change in the world of recruitment too. New hiring techniques and different candidate requirements post-pandemic have caused a seismic shift towards flexible and remote working. With the ever-evolving job market, it is essential to stay up-to-date with the most effective CV writing techniques. In this blog post, we will explore five important things to consider when crafting your CV in 2023: using keywords, formatting, and showcasing your accomplishments.
#1 Using Keywords
Keywords are words or phrases associated with a job description or industry and they help recruiters match you to a job. They help hiring managers quickly identify whether or not you are a match. The average hiring professional with spend just six to eight seconds scanning through to determine whether or not the candidate is right for the role. It is, therefore, important to focus on using keywords when writing your CV in 2023. When crafting your CV, be sure to review the job description, research the industry and include all relevant keywords that highlight your skills and experiences.
#2 Formatting
This isn't a new one but it is worth revisiting. Formatting is a really important element of your CV. Your CV should be easy to read and well organized. Be sure to use headings and subheadings to break up the text and highlight important information.
Moreover, make sure that your contact information is clearly visible at the top of the page. This will make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to contact you.
Using bullet points to summarise key experience is a good way to pack information in an easy -to -read format. Keep to simple fonts and layouts. Let your experience and skills do the talking.
#3 Showcasing Your Accomplishments 
It is important to showcase accomplishments in your CV. Rather than simply listing your experiences and skills, be sure to include any successes you have had in your past positions. This can help you stand out from other applicants and provide a more comprehensive view of your abilities. This means highlighting the output of your duties, rather than the duties themselves in your work history.
- Focus on offering proof of your qualifications by including specific examples, figures or case studies that illustrate your abilities.
- Wherever possible, quantify your contributions and achievements to show the value you’ve created for your past employers. For example, have you helped to reduce costs, eliminate bottlenecks, increase productivity, drive more revenue, or improve operations?
- Did you meet or exceed your project goals or complete a project on time, ahead of schedule or under budget? Have you received any awards or special recognition for your performance?
#4 Most Requested Skills
These are the top five requested skills (in descending order):- Adaptability and flexibility
- Communication
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Time management
#5 Use Social Media To Your Advantage
More than ever, recruiters and hiring managers are using social media to help in their selection of candidates to invite to interview. So, you should include links to relevant social media accounts. For example, you might wish to include the details of your LinkedIn profile and Instagram accounts alongside your contact information. Just make sure that whichever profiles you link to. Just make sure you ensure these are up to date and that they don’t contain any inappropriate or unprofessional content. A social media audit is a must! If you have a side hustle or profile related to your passions and hobbies, it might be better to link to those accounts rather than simply give your personal accounts.
Now, Put It Into Action!
Crafting a successful CV in 2023 requires a combination of up-to-date techniques and strategies. By focusing on using keywords, formatting, and showcasing your accomplishments, you can ensure that your CV stands out from the rest. You will need to tailor your CV for each job you apply for, but if you get a good template set up using the tips above this shouldn't take you too long. Good luck out there! For the latest in digital marketing and ad agency jobs, head to Dotgap now to browse or get in touch. We are ex-agency ourselves and so we understand the industry better than anyone and are committed to helping you find your dream job.
Digital marketing is an ever-growing field with plenty of job prospects and career opportunities. Whether you're just starting out, or want to switch to this field, it's important to understand the basics of getting into digital marketing. In this blog post, we'll discuss the necessary steps you need to take to become a digital marketer.
5 Top Tips To Become A Digital Marketer
To become a successful digital marketer, you need to have a good understanding of the latest marketing techniques, as well as the ability to apply them to the unique challenges of the digital space. Here are some tips to help you get started.
What Education Do You Need?
While it isn't a requirement to have a university degree, having an understanding of the basic principles and techniques of digital marketing is essential to your success. This includes search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and more. You should also make sure you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and strategies in the industry. If you want to do a degree, or are considering your university options then marketing or a related field would certainly be useful. A degree is not as useful as having demonstrable knowledge of digital marketing tools and techniques and relatable experience is key.
Experience Is Key
Experience is another key component to becoming a successful digital marketer. Most employers will require some level of experience before hiring. Taking related jobs, doing freelance work or internships can provide great learning experiences. Having a good understanding of the industry and its various tools will give you an advantage when applying for jobs. Of course, this raises a challenge for new graduates who may have more qualifications than experience. Check out our previous post on how to demonstrate you've got the goods for our tips!
Upskilling Is Vital For Digital Marketers...
Digital marketing is a fast-evolving industry. As such, it requires a strong understanding of technology. You should become familiar with the latest tools and platforms in the digital marketing world, including analytics software, web design tools, and content management systems. You will work with many other people to provide clients with the best service and so it is really good to demonstrate your knowledge outside your specific job role. You can enhance your technical skills by reading about analytics or brushing up your writing or design skills. You could consider learning how to code HTML and CSS to help you understand search engine optimization for websites. Read more out more about upskilling here.
... And Get Certified To Prove It!
To demonstrate your knowledge and skills, you could consider getting certified in digital marketing. There are plenty of online courses and certifications available, such as Google Analytics, Social Media Marketing, and Digital Marketing Strategy. With a certification, you can show potential employers and clients that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the digital marketing industry. It's also important to have a good grasp of the latest trends, tools, and strategies in digital marketing. Keeping up with the latest information is key to staying ahead of the competition.
Network With Digital Marketers
Seeking out and networking with other digital marketers is a great way to learn more about the industry and stay up-to-date on the latest trends. You can join online communities, attend conferences, and join local meetups to connect with other professionals. Co-working spaces can be great too.Take Your First Steps Today!
Taking the right steps to prepare can help you land the job you want more easily. With the right knowledge and tools, you can be on your way to becoming a successful digital marketer. For more job seeking tips and tricks, visit the Dotgap blog page today and get ready for your new role.
As we near the end of the year, we wanted to reflect on some of the most popular topics covered in the blog. From tips on how to get a job in digital marketing as a graduate to re-entering the workforce after taking time away to be a parent, we have tried to cover relevant topics for recruiters and jobseekers alike. Read on for a roundup of Dotgap's 2022 digital marketing blog.
The Recession, Cost Of Living Crisis and Digital Marketing
The economic climate has presented many challenges over the last few years. Businesses have had to adjust their strategies to accommodate changes in consumer behaviour and the availability of resources. People are likely to be more cautious with their spending during a recession so it is important to emphasise value over price. Companies must reduce costs while still achieving measurable results from their marketing efforts. Considering how the current climate will impact the marketing industry we can surmise businesses need to be mindful of budgets while maximising technologies that can help reach their target audience. This includes leveraging social media platforms to build relationships with potential customers, as well as utilizing search engine optimization (SEO) to make sure they're visible in online searches. This can also be a difficult time to be looking for a job, raising questions about the impact on remote and flexible working arrangements.
Changing Jobs For Your Career
Changing jobs can be a daunting and even confusing process. It can be especially difficult to know whether you should stay or go when you are thinking about the bigger picture in your digital marketing career. The first step is to assess your current situation and make sure you are making an informed decision. Consider your current job, the new job you are considering, and the implications of a switch in terms of salary, hours, and benefits. Once you are confident that the change is the right move for you, it is time to start the job search. Research potential employers and the job market, and make sure to update your resume and cover letter. Reach out to former colleagues and contacts to see if they have any job leads you may be interested in. You may also want to consider networking with professionals in your field in order to get your name out there. Once you are ready to apply for jobs, make sure you take the time to tailor your resume and cover letter for each job you apply to. After you submit your applications, it is important to follow up with employers, either through email or phone calls, in order to make sure they have your application and understand your skillset. If you are looking to relocate, make sure you take extra consideration. The last step is to prepare for the job interview. This means researching the company, its products, and its mission statement. Make sure to practice answers to common interview questions, and dress professionally. Finally, make sure to be yourself and be prepared to discuss why you are the right fit for the position.
Diversity in Digital Marketing Recruitment
Diversity, equity and inclusion have been buzzwords for the last few years now. But what does it actually mean in practice for businesses and candidates? There are lots of benefits for organizations to embrace diversity in the workforce, including but not limited to a wider talent pool and better representation. The recruitment process should be designed to ensure diverse representation. This means that the recruitment process should not be biased towards any particular group, and should avoid making assumptions based on gender, race, religion, or other characteristics. Digital marketing companies should strive to create an inclusive recruitment process. That means it is free from any kind of discrimination. A diverse set of applicants should be encouraged to apply, and the criteria for selection should be based solely on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant. Is digital marketing diverse enough? There is still a lot of work to be done and it is an ongoing task but there have been great advances in recent years. Constant review and evaluation is vital for continued development.
Mental Health At Work
Mental health is an important part of overall physical health and wellness. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked, and many people struggle with mental health issues in the workplace. Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health and seeking help can help ensure that everyone is able to stay healthy and productive. There are a number of steps employers can take to create a healthy and supportive workplace. These include providing mental health awareness training, setting up an anonymous reporting system, and making sure to provide employees with regular breaks and vacation time. The increase in remote and flexible work has brought many benefits for people. But the blurred lines between home and office can make keeping a work life balance tricky. Employers should ensure that they are providing necessary resources and support to employees who may be struggling with mental health issues. This includes providing access to mental health professionals or offering flexible working hours. By taking these steps, employers can create a workplace that is open to discussion about mental health and supportive of employees who may be struggling. This can help ensure that everyone is able to stay healthy and productive in their work.
Digital Marketing Job Search In 2023
We started the year with tips on writing your CV in 2022 and many of these tips remain relevant. Automation remains one of the key trends in digital marketing recruitment. Automation tools can be used to streamline processes such as job postings, CV sorting, and candidate outreach. This can help businesses save time, money, and resources, and make their recruitment process more efficient. You need to optimise your CV for these tools too. Social recruiting is a growing trend in digital marketing recruitment. This involves using social media to find and engage with potential candidates. Companies can use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to post job openings. They are increasingly using them to engage with potential candidates, and build their employer brand. Candidate, be aware of your presence online with a social media audit and make sure you are making use of platforms such as LinkedIn to bolster your credibility.Empty asphalt road and New year 2023 concept. Driving on an empty road to Goals 2023 with sunset.
Looking Ahead: Digital Marketing 2023
Digital marketing recruitment is changing, and it's important for businesses to stay on top of the latest trends. As a jobseeker it is important for you to be aware of these trends too so you can review your career progression plans and continue to grow in the workplace. Dotgap is committed to keeping media professionals in their industry. Head to our website for the latest vacancies. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas
Party season is in full swing and while there is nothing wrong with letting your hair down, if you are looking for career progression or a new job the festive period can be the perfect opportunity to network.
Whether you love or hate them, work events and networking opportunities can feel scary and intimidating but if you approach it with the right mindset, you can build new relationships and learn new things. To help you get the most out of your events this season, we have put together a short list of Christmas event Dos and Don'ts.
Festive Networking for Jobseekers: Dos
Listen
There is nothing worse than talking to someone who is looking around the room or clearly not paying attention to what you are saying. Listening actively is a skill, be engaging with the person you are speaking to. Be interested, curious and ask questions, if you do need to break off the conversation, be polite and excuse yourself.Be Authentic
Whether you are at your works do hoping to be considered for a promotion or at an event looking for new connections, you need to be authentic to be memorable. People talk, and it will become obvious if you are not who you say you are. Body language can be crucial, simple things like a smile and eye contact are remembered. Be genuine. You will meet many different kinds of people. Some will connect with you, and some won't
Research & Preparation
Make sure you have prepared short and succinct answers to 'what do you do' and other common networking questions. Be careful not to be too rehearsed. In the same vein, it can be helpful to have some topics prepared to talk about to avoid awkward silences. Think about holidays, Christmas plans or traditions for example. If you are looking to meet or talk to someone in particular it wouldn't hurt to do some research. A read through of their LinkedIn profiles to get an idea of the basics and see if you have any common connections. You could even connect with people ahead of the event!Mingle
It can be very easy to stick with who you know especially if you are an introvert. Depart from the person you walked in with, even if it’s just for a little while and approach somebody you don’t know. Always excuse yourself politely from your current conversation. If you aren't sure how to approach people, don't be afraid to just ask! It is highly unlikely that someone will say no.Be Picky
Remember - your time is valuable, so don't overfill your calendar! Choose which events to go to based on who is going to be there and what your goals are.
Festive Networking For Jobseekers: Don'ts
Overbook We just mentioned this last point but it's worth remembering. If you are invited to a lot of events, you can get tired and easily burnout. You won't be your best self at these events if you are worn out. Quality is better than quantity, consider the value of the event to you and to the person who invited you. Get drunk. This is probably the most obvious "don't" and the first thing people say when you ask them what they shouldn't do! However, it happens year after year so it is important to remind yourself. Nobody wants to be that person and embarrass themselves. Use your phone. When you are talking to someone or in a group conversation put it away. Or, excuse yourself if you need to take a call etc. An exception to the rule is if you’re obviously tweeting or promoting the event you’re at. Another thing to note is if you’re taking photos with your phone always ask if the person minds you sharing the photography on social media.
Get too political
When it comes to discussing politics there is a time and place! Staying in tune with your audience is the most important. Keep your conversation light and professional. Oversharing should be avoided.
Monopolise
Be wary of being too 'salesy' and self-promoting. Only bring up projects you’re working on if it comes up naturally in conversation. Keep other guests or people you know in mind if you think they would be a good connection for someone you are talking to.
