New Year New Opportunities. We want to see you win this year and so over the next couple of months we are going to start a short series of helpful articles to help you get ahead in life and at work. We are going to discuss what essential tools you can utilise to get what you want out of 2020!
So let’s get started … what is security to you?
Is it a job? A career? A side income? A bit of extra change? A business?
The industry is growing and continues to diversify year on year. That means to you and I – there are more opportunities than ever. What’s not obvious is what they are or where to find them. Not without the right networks anyway!
Networking, a key skill and more often than not a residing factor in the ease at which you climb up the career ladder. People run the world (well women specifically if we are to take advice from Queen Bey) and so relationship building and communication skills are paramount if you want to succeed.
What exactly is networking?
“The action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.”
“Networking is the exchange of information and ideas among people with a common profession or special interest, usually in an informal social setting.”
“Networking is the process of trying to meet new people who might be useful to you in your job, often through social activities.”
Ever heard the saying, “it’s not what you know but who you know” ... Basically, networking helps you get ahead… and the first step to being a successful networker – is knowing that!
Now, Step 2. What do you want? People network for so many reasons – to make friends, to build contacts in a particular industry, to share information… what is it you want or need?
Are you looking for a new job? Stuck in a rut and not sure what the best next move is for you? Thinking about higher education or getting qualifications but unsure what course would actually benefit you? These are questions that hit everyone at one point or another in life – but how do we successfully navigate through this period? Talk to people! Honestly, it really is that simple.
The problem is often we don’t know who to talk to. That’s where networking comes in. The wider and more diverse your network is, the more likely you have someone to call on and speak to in any given situation.
So how to get started?
Research events.
All Security Events - a great place to start for security related events.
Meet up - a great platform that helps you find events, talks, workshops, etc to attend in your local area.
Security Industry Authority Events - keep updated with SIA sponsored events.
Who is going? How are you going to speak to them? What are you going to say? Who should you go to networking events with? Don't worry we will get to all of this!
Research organisations and associations where often membership includes exclusive invitations to events and socials.
It is absolutely not necessary to join and pay for membership to all the various bodies, but an awareness of what organisations operate in your industry, what they do, who is associated with them and what benefit they could be to you is paramount.
A few to consider:
ASIS UK Young Professionals who have a mission to mission is to connect and support the future leaders of the security and risk management industry in the UK ASIS UK Young Professionals
The security institute offer access to CPD, exclusive job opportunities and events to members - The Security Institute
The BSIA term themselves as “the voice of the Private Security Industry” and list a benefit of membership being “Networking and events”
Like I said above, you do not need to pay to join all the various organisations that exist in the industry just know what’s going on, and that way you won’t miss out on opportunities that could benefit you!
Next week in Part 2 of our “New year New Opportunities” series we will continue this discussion around networking and how to navigate an event, how to make a strong introduction and how to follow up after events to solidify initial introductions turning them into relationships that will benefit you.
Don’t miss out on next week’s follow on with exclusive tips on how to navigate a networking event by registering with us today at Quick Click Security.
So let’s get started … what is security to you?
Is it a job? A career? A side income? A bit of extra change? A business?
The industry is growing and continues to diversify year on year. That means to you and I – there are more opportunities than ever. What’s not obvious is what they are or where to find them. Not without the right networks anyway!
Networking, a key skill and more often than not a residing factor in the ease at which you climb up the career ladder. People run the world (well women specifically if we are to take advice from Queen Bey) and so relationship building and communication skills are paramount if you want to succeed.
What exactly is networking?
“The action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.”
“Networking is the exchange of information and ideas among people with a common profession or special interest, usually in an informal social setting.”
“Networking is the process of trying to meet new people who might be useful to you in your job, often through social activities.”
Ever heard the saying, “it’s not what you know but who you know” ... Basically, networking helps you get ahead… and the first step to being a successful networker – is knowing that!
Now, Step 2. What do you want? People network for so many reasons – to make friends, to build contacts in a particular industry, to share information… what is it you want or need?
Are you looking for a new job? Stuck in a rut and not sure what the best next move is for you? Thinking about higher education or getting qualifications but unsure what course would actually benefit you? These are questions that hit everyone at one point or another in life – but how do we successfully navigate through this period? Talk to people! Honestly, it really is that simple.
The problem is often we don’t know who to talk to. That’s where networking comes in. The wider and more diverse your network is, the more likely you have someone to call on and speak to in any given situation.
So how to get started?
Research events.
All Security Events - a great place to start for security related events.
Meet up - a great platform that helps you find events, talks, workshops, etc to attend in your local area.
Security Industry Authority Events - keep updated with SIA sponsored events.
Who is going? How are you going to speak to them? What are you going to say? Who should you go to networking events with? Don't worry we will get to all of this!
Research organisations and associations where often membership includes exclusive invitations to events and socials.
It is absolutely not necessary to join and pay for membership to all the various bodies, but an awareness of what organisations operate in your industry, what they do, who is associated with them and what benefit they could be to you is paramount.
A few to consider:
ASIS UK Young Professionals who have a mission to mission is to connect and support the future leaders of the security and risk management industry in the UK ASIS UK Young Professionals
The security institute offer access to CPD, exclusive job opportunities and events to members - The Security Institute
The BSIA term themselves as “the voice of the Private Security Industry” and list a benefit of membership being “Networking and events”
Like I said above, you do not need to pay to join all the various organisations that exist in the industry just know what’s going on, and that way you won’t miss out on opportunities that could benefit you!
Next week in Part 2 of our “New year New Opportunities” series we will continue this discussion around networking and how to navigate an event, how to make a strong introduction and how to follow up after events to solidify initial introductions turning them into relationships that will benefit you.
Don’t miss out on next week’s follow on with exclusive tips on how to navigate a networking event by registering with us today at Quick Click Security.
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