Dos and Don'ts of Networking

Explore upcoming Bright Network events here!

Attending a Bright Network event? Congratulations for securing your place! 

What’s next? Preparing for the event. Have a quick look below for a couple of key dos and don’ts for networking at events.

• What does networking at a Bright Network event look like?
• Get advice for networking in person
• Get advice for networking virtually

Networking involves walking around different employer stands. Each firm will have a table set up, with representatives ready to chat to you about their roles and answer your questions. They may also have a freebie or two to give out! The representatives are typically recent graduates or early careers experts from the company or organisation.

There will be allocated time for networking in your event agenda, but you can choose how to spend this time by networking with the employers who interest you most.

If you're attending a purely virtual event (IEUK, Future Lawyers, Breaking Barriers, Proud to B, Assure Your Future, Beyond London, Neurodiverse Leaders, or Making HERstory), you'll have the opportunity to network with the firms on Zoom.

For the vast majority of our virtual events, networking is structured in an open format. This means you'll get access to a number of virtual 'booths' on Zoom. Each employer will have their own 'booth' (a virtual room), and you can spend the allocated networking time popping into each firms' booth to ask their representatives questions. You're free to join as many booths as you'd like, as many times as you'd like (e.g. you can go back into a firm's booth later in the session if you think of another question).

Once you're in an employer booth, you can ask questions via the Q&A function or by joining on camera. You can also listen to the representatives answer other members' questions.

The representatives are typically recent graduates or early careers experts from the company or organisation.

For a select few virtual events - predominantly Future Lawyers - we run the networking slightly differently. Structured networking involves being assigned a virtual room and joining that room during the allocated networking time. One firm at a time, representatives will join the room to take questions from your group before they rotate and are replaced by another employer. You can ask questions via the Q&A function or by joining on camera.

1. Have an introduction of yourself in your back pocket – prepare and practise this before the event to ease any nerves
   1. Include your name, university, course and something to spur conversation, such as what you’re looking to do in your career, or what you’re looking to get out of the event
2. Ask questions about the person you’re talking to, as well as about roles and the business – this will help build a stronger connection with the employer representative, make you more memorable and lead to more benefits down the line
   1. Don’t underestimate the value of having a good conversation with employer representatives at the event and then solidifying the new network connection with a personalised LinkedIn message!

• Go in unprepared
  • Make sure you make an excellent first impression by being informed about the employer you’re speaking to
  • Use the event page of the event you’re attending and the programme to find out who’s attending and then research the firms so you know who they are and what they do
  • We also recommend preparing a couple of questions so you can make the most of your conversation
• Drag out conversations - long term outcomes (like a job) won’t come out of the first interaction
  • An initial conversation is a great starter, but if you’d like to discuss something in more detail, follow-up after the event and see if they’re available for a coffee or virtual chat
  • Keeping your conversations concise will also help you meet more people during the networking sessions, and show consideration for other members at the event

• Have an introduction of yourself in your back pocket – prepare and practise this before the event to ease any nerves
  • Include your name, university, course and something to spur conversation, such as what you’re looking to do in your career, or what you’re looking to get out of the event
• Ask questions about the person you’re talking to, as well as about roles and the business – this will help build a stronger connection with the employer representative, make you more memorable and lead to more benefits down the line
  • Don’t underestimate the value of having a good conversation with employer representatives at the event and then solidifying the new network connection with a personalised LinkedIn message!
• Turn your camera on – it's so much easier to have a valuable conversation with someone when you can see them, and equally a more uneasy experience when speaking to someone with their camera off whilst you're sharing your video.
  • Turning on your camera helps employers put a face to a name, giving you a better first impression as your show your enthusiasm and initiative
  • If you're struggling to find a good background to use, try exploring virtual backgrounds!
• When networking in a group, consider the needs of others by making sure you allow room for other people to ask questions too
  • If you've already spoken but have other points or questions, utilise the chat! By giving space to other people, it also helps make a great first impression with employers as you'll be seen as a collaborative and considerate team player
  • Equally, however, if it's quiet in the chat and on-screen and you have another question, ask away!
• Find a quiet space – to ensure a smooth conversation with no distractions, make sure you're not in a noisy environment. If this isn't possible, try to use a headset with a good microphone so you can be heard clearly

• Go in unprepared
  • Make sure you make an excellent first impression by being informed about the employer you’re speaking to
  • Use the event page of the event you’re attending and the programme to find out who’s attending and then research the firms so you know who they are and what they do
  • We also recommend preparing a couple of questions so you can make the most of your conversation
• Drag out conversations - long term outcomes (like a job) won’t come out of the first interaction
  • An initial conversation is a great starter, but if you’d like to discuss something in more detail, follow-up after the event and see if they’re available for a coffee or virtual chat
  • Keeping your conversations concise will also help you meet more people during the networking sessions, and show consideration for other members at the event
• Feel intimidated – this can be tricky, especially if it's your first time networking, but just remember that employers want to hear from you as much as you want to hear from them

For more guidance on networking, take a look atthis careers advice article.