Blog

Packing power into networking

23 Sep 2025

How can you become a networking pro? Julie Graham, CEO of Ingeus’ Employment Services, shares her tips and tricks on how to network successfully. 

Networking can be one of the most powerful skill someone learns in their professional life. Successful networking builds relationships, it can expand your industry knowledge, and it can open doors to new career and business opportunities.  

My networking skills proved invaluable in 2021 when I decided to seize the opportunity to make a 9,000-mile move from my job at Ingeus’ APM Group headquarters in Australia to the UK to take up my current role. While my husband and I boarded the plane to move, sadly my physical network down-under had to stay put. I was, in effect, forced to start a brand-new network from scratch. 

Having a strong professional network is crucial at any stage of your career and can be a daunting prospect when starting out. For me, building one second time around proved far easier than my first – practise and a growth in confidence paid dividends. It’s also well worthwhile immersing yourself in your industry, getting to know those involved and making sure they know who you are too. I’d always been active in the Australian employment and disability sectors, and I was keen to do similar here. Getting involved in two major trade bodies, the Employment Related Services association (ERSA) and the Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP) has helped significantly. 

The benefits of having such a strong network are fivefold. It can be much harder in today’s hybrid working world to form relationships – online meetings don’t always hit the mark – so maximising networking opportunities when they arise is really important. 

The more people you meet, the more opportunities you  will have for career growth and development. An employer, meanwhile, will have a much more readily available pool of people for potential job openings within the hidden jobs market, where vacancies are not publicly advertised but typically filled through networking referrals. If you have lots of connections, these vacancies are much more within reach. Employers may prefer to ask their contacts for recommendations and your name could be the one that gets passed on.  

Networking isn’t just about talent spotting individuals though. Sharing your knowledge and expertise with a wider audience means your company gets recognition and kickstarts potential business partnerships. It’s also a great way of hearing about different perspectives or innovations within your sector. 

How is it best to achieve all of this? In a nutshell, work out your networking strategy – what’s your end goal and how you will reach it. Think about your existing network and use it as a building block. Draw a mental map of connections with friends, family, professional contacts and other social contacts.  

LinkedIn is possibly the most well-known professional networking platform where individuals connect, share industry insights, and explore career opportunities. Use it to reconnect with past work colleagues or engage with employees of companies that appeal to you. Make sure your profile is up to date and set it to show you’re looking for work if appropriate. Follow any organisations you’re keen to find out more about. 

Organisations such as colleges and universities put on or attend career fairs. There are also local networking groups which can attract people from a range of larger and independent organisations. It’s worth researching what’s happening in your area. 

For me, being on the ERSA Board and being a fellow of the IEP means I regularly attend forums and conferences. The events are a fantastic way to expand my network within the employability sector, building stronger relationships and sharing knowledge and expertise with like-minded professionals. In October, for example, I’m excited to be attending the IEP Basecamp event, which will enable employability professionals from across the UK to share best practice, explore new ideas and strengthen our collective impact. 

Do your research first before you attend a conference; contact the organisers for a delegate list, check out any sponsors and start building relationships with some of them through email or LinkedIn. Ask which sessions they’re going to and invite them to meet up for a coffee in between. Or get in touch with former colleagues and invite them to go with you – it’s a great excuse to re-connect.  

With any in-person event, be sure to swap contact details with people you speak to and then follow-up within a few days afterwards. Email, connect on LinkedIn or give them a call to cement the relationship further. Put out a post-event social media post about what you learned or enjoyed most from the event and tag the people you connected with.  

Above all, be yourself when you’re networking. Being authentic will help you to find that common ground which will make your connection stronger from the start. Don’t be afraid to take the first step either, start the conversation and invite them for a coffee. With time, practise and patience you’ll soon become a networking pro.