For recent Business Management graduates, expanding your professional network is crucial. Networking can be a valuable skill for growing contacts, fostering relationships, and discovering new trends and strategies – all of which are essential to success in the corporate world.

While networking can sometimes feel overwhelming, the doors it can open for you make the experience well worth it.

Here are six simple tips to make networking easy and effective:

1. Get involved and be strategic

Look for opportunities to participate in conferences, seminars or panel events. This is a great way to practise networking, meet industry leaders and connect with peers on similar paths to you. Westminster’s Alumni Team and WeNetwork host events throughout the year with opportunities to network, so keep an eye on your inbox for more information. You can also follow the Career and Employability Service LinkedIn, where events and opportunities are often shared.

2. Volunteer to expand your network

Volunteering will allow you to expand your network by connecting with diverse professionals. It gives you the chance to showcase your skills and enhance your visibility within professional circles, which can lead to career opportunities. Volunteering opportunities can be found on sites including: Do It, Reach Volunteering and Charity Job.

3. Do your research

When reaching out to professionals or attending an event, do your research on the people you want to have meaningful conversations with: where do they work? What do they specialise in? Prep a few thoughtful questions in advance to ensure you can both make the most of the opportunity. If you don’t know who’s going to be attending, prepare some generic questions or conversation starters to help you in the beginning.

4. Listen actively

When asking questions at a networking event, show genuine interest by paying full attention to the people you’re speaking to and respond thoughtfully. Networking is a two-way street, and by actively listening you can also share your valuable insights and build a more meaningful connection.

5. Leverage social media and professional platforms

Use LinkedIn to identify, connect with and reach out to professionals in your field of interest. Follow companies and industry leaders, engage with their posts by commenting thoughtfully, and share relevant content.  As a Westminster graduate, you can also connect with thousands of professionals on Westminster Connect, who are keen to support and advise fellow graduates. By being active online and contributing industry-specific discussions, you will also increase your visibility and encourage people to follow you.

6. Follow up, and be persistent but polite

After meeting someone, send a follow-up email or message to show that you’re genuinely interested in connecting. If you don’t get an immediate response, you can always politely follow up. (Remember that people are busy, but often flattered that you want to connect!)