Volume 65 December 2026-January 2026 : Career Corner

THE ART OF NETWORKING

Success is a journey and not a destination. Success is definitely not a spectator sport. You have to work hard and smart at achieving whichever goal it might be that you have set for yourself. Success is influenced by the people one meets and the event takes part in. One needs to have effective communication skills to be able to network; the way one interacts with those people around them. You need to make a good first impression that might possibly land you the dream job you have always wanted or the business deal you desperately need to soar your business to greater heights.

You need to put your best networking skills in place whether it`s during a business breakfast event or career expo for instance. In order to enhance your networking skills you need to have a great elevator pitch; being able to effectively introduce yourself is an important self-marketing tool. Having a great elevator pitch is helpful during networking or formal interviews.

An elevator pitch is a quick and brief way to introduce oneself. The ‘elevator` comes from the idea that the introduction could be delivered within the time that the elevator takes from ground floor to the top floor of the elevator- that being a captivating speech that will most probably takes a minimum of 30 seconds to a maximum of one minute. The idea is not that you speak really fast and brag about yourself but that you introduce yourself in an interesting way that will make a lasting first impression.

Think about what it is you really want to get across about yourself in a first meeting. You can structure your elevator pitch by first introducing yourself by saying who you are and what you do, followed by a description of your strengths and skills. You can end off with future aspirations. It is very important to have done a self- analysis and assessment before getting out and talking to people. An example of an elevator pitch during a job hunting event would be; “Hello, my name is ………, I graduated with an accounting degree from university Y three months back and I am currently looking for a job in an well recognized accounting firm that will help me gain experience in the accounting field. I am someone who loves working with numbers and getting into the nitty gritty of information hence being great at analyzing information. My plan is to qualify as a chartered accountant in the next 3 years.”

 Remember; always be prepared to say something interesting about yourself in less than a minute. This also applies to business people who are at networking events such as business expos selling their products. You have less than a minute to really grab the full attention of a potential buyer and persuade them to buy your product.

Networking is not only done face to face. There is also online networking be it on social media forums such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. A lot of people especially graduates fail to use the social media platforms in an effective and beneficial way as a marketing tool. Nowadays potential employers search online to see the kind of applicants the company is recruiting. LinkedIn is a powerful professional platform. Having a LinkedIn profile means that you can be found by recruiters and it allows you to connect with other people who work in the same field as you. You can also ask questions, exchange information and find out about other opportunities as numerous companies use the space to advertise not only their products but also other opportunities available within the company.

Remember that if you are unemployed you should be spending at least three to four hours a day actively looking for a job of which most of this should be meeting people or being active through online discussions. It would be helpful to have comprehensive discussions with a career expert on how best to build or enhance your networking skills to better position yourself for success.

Through Career Coaching we can help you with your elevator pitch or guide you on building a strong LinkedIn profile, writing a CV or cover letter, developing effective interview skills, building and managing an effective networking plan and understanding and presenting your personal brand. Contact me on ccbotswana@gmail.com  for enquiry on the prior mentioned services.ENDS

Buy Online Now!