10 Networking Events for Professional Development: How-To Guide with Tips

Making meaningful connections with people in your industry, whether it be colleagues, managers, or like-minded individuals, can allow you to smoothly level up in your career. This can be done via networking events, a skill which is needed in order to develop as a professional. Networking can assist you in establishing and maintaining valuable connections, seek opportunities, and gain insights into your industry. With 85% of jobs being filled via networking, knowing how and where you can network will be useful in your job search. 

There are plenty of ways to network online, but did you know there are career networking events as well? Today, we’re going to help you learn how and why you should network, as well as provide some tips on where you can get started with meeting people.

Networking events are events held with the purpose of connecting with other professionals in your industry. At networking events, people will interact and socialize with each other, sharing ideas, stories, and career advice. By becoming closer with certain connections, you can learn valuable insights about a career or industry you are interested in, and leverage their knowledge to help you in your career. Attending networking events is either in-person, online, or hybrid, depending on their theme or purpose. To improve your networking experience, it is essential to find networking events that align with your career goals and interests.

There are plenty of different types of networking events for you to build connections at, and they also differ depending on your career or industry. If you’re looking to attend a networking event, consider one of these:

Industry Specific Gatherings

These are networking events that are related to a specific industry – for instance, IT, banking, or software engineering. These event attendees usually have a guest speaker, sponsor, or activity for the attendees to experience, such as a masterclass or Q&A session. 

Aside from networking, attending in-person events can provide you with unique insights and expose you to a variety of industry leaders and career opportunities which you might not be familiar with. Engaging in these events fosters meaningful conversations with professionals in your field.

Conferences and Seminars

Conferences and seminars are usually held to foster information sharing or project/product unveiling for attendees. Although these are not held exclusively for networking, you can also build professional connections by attending these. These events are often open to the public, and by attending you can also learn about industry and product trends, which can help you in your job, especially if you work in a technology-based field. 

Professional conferences and industry conferences are excellent opportunities to meet new contacts and stay updated on the latest developments in your field.

Speed Networking Events

Similar to speed dating, speed networking events are held to encourage more connections between industry leaders, recruiters, and job seekers. Speed networking is designed for brief exchanges with others, so preparing your pitch, self-introduction, and some business cards is required. 

Aside from gaining new connections, speed networking events are ideal if you want to get your business or product out to new people, build relationships, work on your social skills, or learn more about a specific industry. Participating in this type of event can be a great way to gain a new skill in networking.

Alumni Networking Events

Alumni events are held for those who have graduated from a specific college or university’s department or program. This type of networking event often involves guest speakers, keynote speakers, or activities and is a way for alumni to reconnect with each other. 

Networking here can be slightly easier, as you will already have something in common with the other attendees! These events might be sponsored as well, so you can gain some insight into industry leaders. Aside from networking, you can expect a guest lecture or Q&A session during the event, helping you to build professional relationships.

Roundtable Discussions

Roundtable discussions are usually academic events, where members of a research project gather and discuss important insights they gained through their projects. However, these don’t always have to be academic in nature – some roundtable discussions are general career-themed discussions led by a company or industry board. In some ways, a roundtable discussion is like a live podcast. After these discussions, there is usually a lunch or coffee hour for attendees to mingle with each other – this is where you can network. 

Aside from networking, the roundtable discussion is a great opportunity to hear insights and reflect on big topics in your industry. If you are a leader or manager, these are especially valuable, as many also include a Q&A session at the end.

Workshops

Workshops are often held to upskill or update information related to your career. By attending a workshop, you will gain valuable tangible skills to take back and implement into your work. However, these events can be all day and often include lunch and coffee breaks, where you can networking opportunities with others. 

A workshop often involves discussion and teamwork activities, where you can share ideas. Participating in small group activities or discussions within smaller groups can be particularly beneficial for those who are new to networking, as it provides an easy way to build your skills.

Career Fairs

Career fairs are a great networking event with a variety of people. The main focus of a career fair is to be exposed to a range of potential job openings, companies, and recruiters, so you can very easily and naturally practice networking. Universities often hold career fairs, so make sure you regularly check to see if there is one held near you. 

Aside from networking, you can expect to learn valuable information regarding your ideal career and potentially talk to some hiring managers or recruiters to receive feedback on your CV or resume, potentially leading to a new job.

Virtual Events/ Webinars

Some companies, businesses, or industry boards will hold webinars as a way to connect with those interested in joining their company. Sometimes these webinars are focused on a specific topic or skill, and other times they are general informational talks. Usually hosted by a recruiter or leadership team member, these webinars include audience participation or discussion. 

You can turn these webinars into virtual networking events by inviting other attendees to add you on LinkedIn or Cake Meet. Additionally, you can share a reflection on your LinkedIn profile about what you have learned during the webinar, and thank the hosts by tagging them. A post like this will boost engagement on your profile, and allow you to network by putting yourself out there!

Participating in online forums related to your industry is another excellent way to expand your network. Furthermore, attending an online event can help you stay updated with industry trends and connect with professionals worldwide.

Breakfast/ Luncheon Events

Some industry boards, organizations, or chambers of commerce will hold breakfast or luncheon networking events, as a way of encouraging collaboration or gaining new clients. Attendance can require joining their organization or becoming a member of their mailing list; however, this is usually free. 

This is a great way to meet a few people who are like-minded or are in a similar industry to you and are often short 2-3 hour events that don’t require attending a talk or lecture. You can gain valuable insight into the industry or career you are in by attending these meetings.

Happy Hour Networking Events

Happy hour networking events are usually held after the workday is over, so you can attend without being absent from work. These events encourage networking with others, as they have a relaxed atmosphere and are not entirely dedicated to upskilling or information sharing. They are slightly more informal events, but you can expect to meet many diverse people there. This is a great way to build social skills if you are shy or new to networking.

If you are interested in attending a networking event, you will need to check your area for opportunities. There are plenty of networking events, but knowing where to seek them out can be a challenge. Some ways you can find a networking event near you include: 

Social Media

Companies will often post about their networking events on both professional and personal social media platforms. You can search “networking” and your city to narrow down events near you. Some social media platforms you can utilize include: 

LinkedIn: following leading recruiters, recruiting agencies, industry boards, organizations and chambers of commerce will allow you to keep up-to-date with networking events. You can also join alumni groups on LinkedIn to make sure you are notified when alumni events are held. 

Facebook: Many companies will post their webinars, conferences, or career fairs on Facebook, so you can stay up-to-date with them as they are posted. Many local areas have their own dedicated Facebook group for specific industries or even just networking-focused groups. Consider joining them and discussing with other members to see if you can gain new connections.

Twitter: Conferences, events, and online webinars are often advertised on Twitter, especially for academics. If you are an academic, or you are self-employed, a presence on Twitter is especially useful for virtual networking. 

Community Bulletins/ Local Events

Your community bulletin board, local newspaper or events calendar will likely have some events for you to utilize in your networking. Check local community boards for events for you to mingle with others and establish connections. 

Industry-Specific Websites

Some industries have dedicated boards or organizations for professionals to keep updated on the latest industry trends. Check these or sign up to their mailing list so you can be notified of upcoming networking events. Some industry-specific websites could be related to: 

• An accredited profession e.g. accounting
• Women in STEM
• Organizations for specific regions 

Ask Around

Ask colleagues, friends, family, or people you have previously networked with if they know of any networking events. The people closest to you know you well, and will likely be able to recommend some events that would suit you the best. You never know unless you try!

Being prepared at a networking event can help you ease nerves and ensure smooth interactions. By being prepared, you will come across as more confident with others, and allow for a good first impression. Here is our guide for preparing for a networking event: 

Research

Research the event and its attendees, such as speakers, sponsors, leaders, or company representatives. Make sure you also are familiar with the hosting organization, its background, and how it relates to you. All of this can be found on the event website, as well as the websites of the related companies. 

Prepare an Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is a short overview of your background, experience, and career, as well as what you are looking to achieve in the future. If you have a specific product or project you are working on, introduce it during your pitch. 

An elevator pitch should be less than one minute long and should be practiced in a way that sounds natural, compelling, and concise. An elevator pitch is not a monologue to recite to others, but should instead be a way for you to naturally and professionally introduce yourself. 

Update Your Business Cards

Make sure your business cards are up-to-date and professional. Check your email, name and number are all correct, and that the card represents you in a professional manner. Ensure you keep your business cards somewhere where they are kept pristine, such as in a wallet or card case, and keep enough on you so that you can provide one when needed. 

Plan Your Attire

Choose an outfit that is professional yet suitable for the event. Make sure your clothes are cleaned, ironed, fit well, and look professional ahead of time, and schedule any dry cleaning or other tailoring services if needed. In general, business casual is appropriate for a networking event. Make sure your hair and makeup are in good condition as well. 

Prepare Questions

Make sure you have some open-ended questions you can bring with you to foster natural conversations with people at networking events to network effectively. Open-ended questions are ones that cannot be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ – and instead open up discussion with others. Choose a selection of questions for a variety of people and scenarios, as well as what your answer would be should they choose to ask you. Some open-ended questions include:

Networking events are opportunities for you to meet others in a similar career or industry and develop meaningful relationships with them. By making strong relationships, you can then assist each other in your professional development. You can also use networking as a way to gain insights, seek opportunities, or pitch yourself to people, ultimately leveling up your career. There are plenty of events you can network at, in-person and online, and you can find out about these events by looking at local job boards, social media and asking others. Coming prepared to a networking event will allow you to ease nerves and make a confident first impression, and you can do so by being organized, making an elevator pitch, and thinking of some open-ended questions. 

To learn more networking tips, head over to Cake and read up on ways you can develop in your career!

--- Originally Written by Bronte McNamara ---