How to make career networking work for you

Sarah Ivens

Sarah Ivens, author of A Modern Girl's Guide to Networking, published by Piatkus explains how to make the most of the people you know to get the best out of your career

Career networking
Before you even get into the office, there are a few rules to make sure you end up in the right office. And yes, they are networking rules:

Keep your networking web wide: include past and present colleagues, bosses, friends with similar careers, your school and college alumni, plus people you've met at networking events. Keep in touch with your network - don't forget them when you're happily settled in office life. Things can change quickly and you'll need to call on them. Don't just use your networking skills to get job leads. The people you meet can help you and advise you on everything from new computing systems to office politics. Escape the office every now and again and get out on your work's social scene. Often, more friends are made over a gin 'n' tonic than an office-based meeting. Networking isn't a one-way street. If you have seen or heard of someone good on the market, grab them. Bring them into your company. The more talented people you have around you, the better you'll look and the easier your job will be - you might even get out of the door at a decent time!

Get yourself a mentor
I've been blessed with a series of remarkable bosses. Not all of them have been kind, diplomatic and nurturing, but some of them have possessed amazing talent, creativity and energy - and I've learned a lot from each of them. Even if while working for them I felt they were difficult or boring, looking back they all taught me a lesson to take away from the experience.

A mentor is very important when you first start work. You need someone you can go to with your questions, your fears and your successes. Search out an office soulmate who smiles and supports you, and is a few years your senior. Break the ice by treating them to a Starbucks and a muffin, and ask for some feedback on how you're doing. Don't arse lick, stalk or get in the way, but do show your appreciation and admiration. Stick to a mentor of the same sex - otherwise people will talk.

Don't take offence at any criticism levelled at you. I had an amazing boss in my first job at a glossy magazine. She didn't mince her words. After six months of working hard, I asked for the morning off because I was going to a party the night before and I thought I might have a hangover. She pointed out it was press week and that she'd leave the decision to me. Obviously, being enthusiastic (and a little bit scared of her) I ended up not drinking and getting into work earlier than usual. On my desk sat a box of expensive chocolates and a note: 'I knew you'd make the right decision.' And I had. At that point, my career took precedent over drinking and partying.

Follow your mentors' careers even after you leave their direction, google their career pasts, their highs and lows and read articles about other people in the public eye that you admire. They don't have to work in your field, as long as they have qualities you admire that you want to bring to your office and your management style. If you hear of someone on the grapevine that you admire, don't be shy to drop him or her a line saying you've heard great things or read a feature on them, and you'd love to meet them for a chat if they ever have the time.

Getting a better job

Review and update your CV constantly. Don't make it too long but get the key points in there. Keep details of awards and qualifications. Make people interested in you. Get out and about. Volunteer for committees. Prove (without showing off) that you have skills and aspirations higher than your current status. Dress for the role you want, not the role you have. Your current job is a stepping stone to something even better - with more kudos, cash and credit. Go informal. Write to people in other departments, your boss, or people you respect in rival companies and ask for off-the-record chats. Don't worry if there aren't any official vacancies - just put yourself out there. Don't resign in a huff and search for a job from home. As soon as you're in your pyjamas on that couch, your motivation - and appearance - will fade, and getting yourself back in physical and mental shape will be a battle. I love the saying 'If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.' It's true! When you're in hyper-efficient mode in the office, adding a few extra enquiring emails to your to-do list will seem like nothing. So, search for a new job while employed, however miserably. Think positive. I have been fired once and I've been made redundant once. Both times were emotionally draining and personally shaming, but I stayed motivated and have never had one single day unemployed in my whole career. Don't give in to career despair. Keep smiling, planning and visualising a better working environment - and it will happen for you as it always has for me.