'Career paths and networking' - Jeremy Clarke from Sue Hill Recruitment conducted this workshop at the CDG National Conference in Birmingham on 18 July 2012

1. Career Development Group
Career paths & Networking
Jeremy Clarke DipREC
Jeremy.clarke@suehill.com

2. Today’s topics
• How to approach career development
and job hunting
• How these techniques may differ
depending on the stage of your career
• How to network, not only your peers but
also with those higher up the chain

3. A few pointers
• Planning - know what your selling
before you go to market
• Use internal opportunities to open
external opportunities
• Skills assessment exercises
• Problems and solutions to be aware of

4. Planning
Where are
you now?
Where do
Getting you want to
there be?
How will
you get
there?

5. Career management
Yesterday Today / tomorrow
• job for life • alternative career
• one organisation pathways
• hierarchical progression • multiple organisations
• development decided • continuous learning
for you • you take responsibility
• Internal training • portfolio careers
• job security • security in your
employability rather in
your employer

6. Appraisals and development
Appraisal-linked personal Professional skills development
development
• Training & development specifically • Specifically tailored to your own
linked to current role development and career aspirations
• Planning to support targets in your • Development activities may be
current role linked to a different role
• Discussed in appraisal meeting • May commence at appraisal but
• Work based, completed in work time continues outside appraisal process
• May incorporate development • May incorporate activities outside
supporting career goals work
• Joint responsibility for development • Personal responsibility for your own
development

7. Obstacles and catalysts
• Getting started
• Day-to-day demands
• Maintaining enthusiasm and energy
• Support from colleagues and managers
• Measuring progress

8. Job hunting - directly
• Internal opportunities
• Advertising - trade/local/national press,
online job boards
• Recruitment agencies
• Direct approaches (do your research)
• Following targeted companies

9. Job hunting - indirectly
• Read – stay informed
• Write – blog / tweet / linked / article
• Speak – Conferences / open days
• Networking
• Reputation

10. How this differs at various levels?
No rule changes, but other things to consider
• Use Personal Learning Networks and Mentors
• Keep assessing and re-assessing
• Recognise the danger of becoming pigeon-holed
• Keep stepping outside of your comfort zone
• Be aware of competency frameworks for internal
advancement
• How are you perceived within the organisation and
beyond?
• How is your team perceived? Your team is a
reflection of your management abilities

11. Networking - traditional
• Pick the right event
• Sliding scales of networking success
• Set yourself targets
• What do I want to find out?
• What do I want to tell people?
• Follow up afterwards

12. Networking - tips
• Learn to smile and say hello
• Ask for introductions
• Approach singles
• Prepare in advance
• Be active in professional organisations
• Go with your boss
• Learn to listen

13. Networking - other considerations
Internal networking
• Identify peers and network to be seen as a
good 'advert' for your service
• What message do you want to give off
Online networking
• Comment intelligently on online discussions
• Remember you are building an online
reputation

14. Action points
• Take responsibility for your own
development
• Research emerging skill requirements
• Identify future colleagues / future
employers
• Record, reflect, evaluate
• Everything is a development
opportunity

15. What next?