How to get the most out of your networking meetings
Category: Tips and Advice
Publish date: 01/12/2023
This month, we want to explore some questions you should ask during networking meetings. Networking is a great tool that you can use to better understand what opportunities are out there, what you'll need in terms of qualifications and skills to pursue said opportunities, and to gauge whether a company might be the right fit for you. The key to successful networking is knowing what questions to ask.
The company When thinking about applying for a role outside of the military, you'll want to know a few things first to help inform your decision. What is the employer’s reputation in the industry? How is the business structured - hierarchical or matrix? And what are the critical issues facing the organisation? Asking these kinds of questions during a networking meeting will help you build a clearer picture of the business you're considering, understand what it might be like to work for them and decide whether you have the qualities needed to meet the challenges they're facing.
The work Once you've identified a role or area of work you're interested in, you may want to use a networking meeting to discover more about what working in that field/business area would entail – especially if it’s quite different to what you’ve done in Service. What would a typical working day look like? What skills are required on a daily basis? What are the most challenging aspects of working in this area? By asking for clarity on these topics, you'll be in a far better position to understand whether a certain area of work is aligned with your skillset, and whether you'd find the work expected of you enjoyable.
Fitting in One of the most important aspects of resettlement is feeling like you’ll fit in at your new employer; with the culture and your colleagues. Networking can provide you with a rare window into an organisation - helping you gain insight on whether it would be the right fit, both for yourself and the company. Ask someone how well they think you'd fit in based on your background, how they'd describe the company culture, and whether they'd recommend their employer as being a good place to work. This way, you'll be going into any application, interview and new role with your eyes wide open.
That being said, this list of topics certainly isn’t exhaustive. So, always take the opportunity to ask the questions you want answers to during any networking meeting; after all, one of those answers could be decisive in you making a well-informed decision about the next step in your career.
If you need any additional support, simply login to the CTP website and access our e-learning suite in myCareerPath. You’ll find a wealth of tips on how to start, plan and develop your networking strategy, which your CTP Career Consultant can then support you with should you need further guidance.