Testing out the Secret Handshake

Shereen Fernandez, London UpRiser 2011-12 and recent Geography graduate from QMUL, tells us what happened when she put some of our training into practice...

On the 13th of December, UpRisers were given an inspirational and highly valuable talk on networking, a skill every one of us will inevitably need to succeed in our current and future careers. Kat Callo, who boasts an impressive CV as she once worked for Reuters and now as a consultant, led the session and her passion and enthusiasm was evident from the moment she walked into the room. From personal stories to home truths, Kat ensured that we all left not only understanding the importance of networking but the necessity of it.

Networking is both an art and a craft which requires individuals to be clear, engaged and interactive. If done successfully, networking can open doors many of us previously would have found hard to open alone. It also teaches us to develop our social skills, work on our confidence and to understand the importance of relationships. Kat stressed how important it is to understand that networking is about learning from each other; it is not a one-way street. Rather than fish for a job, treat the networking opportunity as an opportunity to understand and communicate ideas, thoughts and even concerns. Here are a few pointers for those who missed out:

1.       Feel that you could benefit the person as much as they are benefiting you, as this will turn the meeting into a relationship.

2.       If you manage to meet, be weary of the other person’s time. It shows you respect and understand that they are busy.

3.       Always get a business card as this demonstrates that you are interested in pursuing the meeting further.

So the next day I decided to put the networking formula to the test. As arranged with my mentor, I was scheduled to visit The Times as I wanted to gain an insight into the world of journalism. Walking towards the News International building, I had no solid idea of what was in store for me but I knew I wanted to put the networking formula to the test. As the day went by, I was scheduled to meet a number of impressive journalists who would provide me with valuable knowledge. The first journalist I was scheduled to meet was in a meeting and so I met with a reporter who had recently joined The Times. At that point, I had a million and one questions to ask and anyone who knows me will know that I am extremely inquisitive. But instead of bombarding him with questions, I decided to put the networking formula to the test. I asked him questions about his student life, his travels and of course his life as a journalist. I sat there, for twenty minutes, engaging in conversations ranging from Portugal to incinerators and I realised after that rather than getting to know a journalist, I was just getting to know a person. As the chat drew to a close, I still had a number of things I wanted to ask and instead of take more of his time, I asked for the golden ticket: his business card.

Using Kat’s advice, I then returned to work and made sure I emailed him to thank him for taking time out to talk to me. Within a few hours I received an email back and the opening lines were as follows:

‘Very well done on asking for a contact and using it - never forget that, even if you think someone's unimportant they might be a lead on an excellent story later on’.

And so, there we have it. Proof that the secret handshake works.