Network your way to a successful career

NETWORK YOUR WAY TO A SUCCESSFUL CAREER

Sarah BlackfordAcademic & science career specialist

www.biosciencecareers.orgwww.sebiology.org

WHY NETWORK?Because: Over 50% jobs are not advertised. It gets you noticed. It helps you to be more informed. People like to help other people, especially

if they think they are making an effort. Work is people!

Definition of ‘networking’?CommunicatingConnectingCollaborating

Examples of networking Conferences/seminars/workshops Industry/business: internships-collaborations-visits Activities, social events Informal: Chatting in the coffee room/corridor Specialised clubs and learned societies Social media: Blogging (Twitter, Blogs), LinkedIn

Online platforms: Researchgate, Mendeley Online networks: Google+ Email, Discussion lists

FDozens of Bioscience societies – Europe/USA Reduced registration to conferences Travel grants Lab visits Specialised workshops Newsletters Mentoring Networking with members

cus on learned societies

FInformation gathering/disseminating –

Attending/presenting talks and view postersCareer/specialist workshopsJob shops

Networking –Talking to peopleGiving your name/contact detailsGetting names/contact details

cus on conferences

FLinkedIn Used by professionals/business

Company & job searchesCan join specialist groupsProfessional personal profile

Twitter More casual/randomGathering information/signposting papers, blogs, etc.Jobs, courses and meetings mentioned

cus on social media

LinkedIn

LinkedIn

Twitter

What are your key ‘selling points’?1. Name, where, who you work for/with2. What you’re working on – broad picture3. What you’re working on – specifics4. Future ideas, prospects? 5. Personal interests?

Over to you:

NETWORKING

A two-way process!

Passion – engagement and enjoymentUsing body language/spaceVaried use of voice – tone/volumeGesturesEye ContactHumour

COMMUNICATION OUTPUT:

COMMUNICATION INPUT:Active listening

Eye contact/nodding/smilingLeaning in/forward

Asking questionsMaking comments/adding more

Twitter Profile examples:“Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Researcher in heart failure, calcium handling, and conformational dynamics of ion pumps.”

“PhD. EMBO Postdoctoral fellow at CRG, Barcelona. Keywords: computational biology, genetics, evolution, science, genomics, R, python, photography, Raspberry Pi” “TCRN Research Fellow with background in virology, microbiology and cancer research, and passionate about global health, community and living sustainably”

“Great ape geek & feminist atheist. Tweets mostly about primates, conservation, science & human rights. Also been known to climb on soap box when necessary.”

Barriers to networking Nothing to say/nothing in common Lack of confidence/lack of motivation Language Hierarchy Other people’s attitudes Personality – naturally introverted/extraverted Situation (eg is it face-to-face, on-line, writing,

activities, national, local …)

Barriers to networking Engage with networking activities/platforms Prepare Start ‘small’ Find common ground Be aware of your behaviour, and others Be friendly, approachable – Smile Step out of your comfort zone Read widely, connect, disseminate (social media)

Overcoming

Preparation Have a plan of action for a conference Post an appropriate (and full) profile and

photo according to the social media platform

Research! Google people/read papers/ company profiles etc.

Networking at work …

Sarah BlackfordBLOG: www.biosciencecareers.orgSEB WEBSITE: www.sebiology.orgEMAIL: s.blackford@lancaster.ac.ukLINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/pub/sarah- blackford/10/b72/968TWITTER: @Bioscicareer