26.06.2018

Using Conferences & Networking Events to Find Your New FM Job

It’s over! The Facilities Show roared into our lives for those blissful 3 days in June and then, on Thursday evening, casually sauntered out again leaving only a vague impression of which suppliers offer which service, some half remembered contact details and a slight hangover from the post-show drinks you swore you wouldn’t be attending.

Every year conferences like The Facilities Show, The Facilities Event and networking opportunities through BIFM, FM North, FM South, The Doyle Club etc. crop up on your calendar. It’s easy to attend these things and catch up with old cronies but one of the best uses for networking and conference events is to find a new job.

So how do you turn a casual meet up or company-sponsored press the flesh to your job-seeking advantage?

The key is to approach it like a salesperson. This is not the pushy, shiny suit variety but a calm, measured, consultative type that you prefer to speak to when dealing with your suppliers.

Now I realise not all facilities folk are naturals at this so the below guide will help you navigate the do’s and don’ts throughout the process.

Before You Go

Get your sh… stuff together! The key to making the most of any conference or networking event, is to prepare thoroughly and develop a strategy before you arrive. This isn’t the time to wing it.

Like any good plan it needs to have a target, essentially the companies you want to prospect for future job opportunities.

For most events everyone will be sent a welcome pack with a list of attendees, so make this your bible. Scope out the organisations you’d like to work for and then research them, the good, the bad and the ugly. Don’t just use the company website as everyone knows this is propaganda, Google news about them, check out Glassdoor reviews and even social media groups about them. This helps you work out at an early stage if the company is going to be the right fit for you but also gives you conversation topics for when you come face to face with them.

I’m assuming if your attending a large conference you’ll also want to watch a few of the panels or seminars so definitely ensure that if one of your target companies is talking that you attend, it will work as a great icebreaker later on.

It sounds like something from Jason Bourne but get familiar with the layout of the exhibitors. The ExCel, as an example, is a huge venue and this can be disorientating so taking the time before you get there to plot a few key landmarks will really help.

The rise of social media has really helped you here. Firstly make sure your LinkedIn profile and other professional social media channels look the part; they need to be up to date, completed to a good standard and show a bit of personality.

You’re now going to use these to connect with the people from your target companies, mention that you’ll also be attending and arrange a time for you to come over for a casual chat about the company.

I am aware some conferences offer a Meetings Service but for your purposes i.e. finding a new job I’d stay away from the more structured and formal environments to get a better sense of the company.

Whilst You’re There

Attend the meetings you’ve pencilled in.

Hopefully I’m preaching to the choir here but ensure when you’re booking in these chats you manage your time well so you can give each one meeting your full attention and aren’t rushing from place to place, I’d advise 30 minutes to be on the safe side. You’re not going to get the most out of your conversation if you’re watching the clock.

Take plenty of business cards. There is a lot of talk nowadays about how business cards are unnecessary but many in the industry still place a lot of stock in being able to shake a person’s hand, look them in the eye and swap cards. Also it’s something that can easily be passed on to a hiring manager within a target organisation compared to someone trying to remember your name and match your LinkedIn picture to a hazy memory of you.

A word to the wise here as well, chances are you won’t meet your next line manager at this event.

Organisations are attending to sell their products and services to potential clients so they send their best salespeople to do this. Your aim in talking to these guys and girls is to make yourself known to the company, get a better feel for what it’s like to work there (once they realise they’re not going to get a sale they tend to drop the spiel and speak to you like a human) and introduce yourself as a potential addition.

It’s after that the fun begins…

Post-Conference

This is where it all falls into place.

The day or so after the conference or networking event go through all the business cards you’ve collected (told you they’d come in handy!) and make contact with those people on LinkedIn and any other social media outlets. On the connection request, if you’re not already connected, personalise the invite thanking them for their time whilst at the conference.

Once conversation is flowing remind them of why you met and ask for advice about the best person to contact to register your interest in securing a role with their company. Chances are this way you’ll get the line manager’s name and won’t be fobbed off with HR or the internal recruitment team.

So there you go, the next time that manager needs an addition to their team you’ll be first on the list, bypassing HR, internal talent acquisition teams, external recruitment agencies and job boards.

When that happens don’t forget to drop me a line to meet up at the Facilities Show 2019, you owe me a gin and tonic.

Alexandra heads up the Facilities Management division within CRG TEC, a recruitment consultancy with more than 25 years’ experience working on technology, engineering and communications roles.

You can get in touch with her on www.linkedin.com/in/alexfmrecruiter/ or https://twitter.com/AlexFMRecruiter

To find out more about how CRG TEC could help you with the next step in your career or for advice on attracting and retaining the best workplace and facilities management professionals in the industry visit www.crgtec.uk.com or call 0300 030 1024.