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#BeYou | Networking

1 July 2023

#BeYou | Networking

In today’s working world, networking has become an essential skill for career growth and success.

However, many individuals approach networking with a sense of apprehension or are unsure how to be themselves, with the feeling that they may need to play a role to make the right connections. But what if networking could be a genuine and fulfilling experience – one where you can truly be yourself and build meaningful relationships?

Whether you’re just starting your career, seeking new opportunities, or looking to expand your network, this blog will provide insights and practical tips to help you network with authenticity, integrity, and purpose.

We believe that networking is not about collecting business cards or making superficial connections – it’s about forging genuine relationships based on shared values, interests, and aspirations. By being yourself, you can attract opportunities, collaborate with like-minded professionals, and create a network that supports your personal and professional growth.

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Authentic Conversations

When networking, focus on having genuine and meaningful conversations with others. Instead of trying to impress or fit in, be yourself by sharing your true interests, experiences, and perspectives. Being yourself can help you build stronger connections with like-minded professionals.

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Embrace Your Unique Strengths

Recognise and embrace your unique strengths and skills. Highlighting your qualities can make you stand out and leave a lasting impression on others. Be confident in showcasing what makes you different and valuable in your professional interactions.

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Active Listening

Being yourself also involves being a good listener. Show genuine interest in others by actively listening to their ideas, stories, and experiences. Ask thoughtful questions, provide meaningful feedback, and engage in conversations that showcase your genuine curiosity and respect for others’ perspectives.

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Be Approachable

Make an effort to be approachable and open to meeting new people. Smile, maintain eye contact, and use positive body language. By creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere, you encourage others to feel comfortable being themselves around you.

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Share Your Passions

you can share your passions and hobbies when appropriate in professional networking settings. Authenticity comes from being able to express your interests beyond your professional persona. Your passions can create common ground and help you connect with others on a deeper level.

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Stay True to Your Values

Networking events and professional settings might present various opportunities and challenges. It’s important to stay true to your values and principles. Be selective about the connections you make, ensuring they align with your personal and professional goals. Building a network based on shared values can lead to more meaningful and fulfilling professional relationships.

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Follow-Up with Genuineness

After networking events, try to follow up with the connections you’ve made. Personalise your follow-up messages, referencing specific conversations or topics of interest. By demonstrating that you genuinely remember and value your interactions, you continue to establish authentic connections that can lead to fruitful professional relationships.

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Remember, networking is not about impressing others or putting on a façade – it’s about building genuine relationships. Being yourself in a professional setting is about showcasing your unique personality and staying true to your values.

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Ready to start your job search? Let us help guide you. Start a conversation with our team today by emailing your CV to
info@theonegroup.co.uk
or visit our
jobs
page.

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THE ONE GROUP

Where we're from,
and how we got here

Twenty years of specialist recruitment in the East – and a lot of small decisions that added up.

TOG started in Peterborough in 2004 with a small team and a simple idea: that recruitment is a people business, done best by specialists who stay in their sector long enough to know it properly.

More than two decades on, we've grown into four offices across the East of England and Home Counties. We recruit for finance leaders, HR directors, engineering managers, tech founders, scientists, and the commercial teams that keep businesses running day to day. Between us, we've built up over 258 years of collective recruitment experience across our specialist divisions, and a network of more than 150,000 candidates we've placed, coached, or come to know across two decades in the region.

The founding principle hasn't changed. Recruitment as it should be.

OUR STORY

Key events timeline

2004

Doors open in Peterborough.

Our first office launches with a team of six on Lynch Wood. Cambridge follows the same year, giving us two offices before our first anniversary.

2015

Northampton makes it three.

Our third office opens with a team of five, quickly growing to eleven consultants covering the wider Midlands region.

2017

Peterborough moves across the road.

The team has outgrown the founding office. We move into Arena House on Lynch Wood, big enough for a growing consultant base and the back-office team that supports the whole group.

2018

Cambridge moves too.

Our second office relocates to Cambourne Business Park, giving the growing Cambridge team the space it now needs.

2023

Four offices, three counties, one very good year.

The Hertfordshire & Essex office opens in Potters Bar, extending our footprint into the Home Counties.

In the same year, we're named Business of the Year in Northamptonshire, and Employer of the Year in both Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire at the regional SME Business Awards. Three counties, three panels.

TODAY

Still growing.

Four offices, more than 258 years of collective recruitment experience across our specialist divisions, and a network of over 150,000 candidates.

Same founding principle.

SPECIALISTS BY DESIGN

What we do

We're specialists, not generalists. Every consultant at TOG focuses on one sector and stays in it. Not because it's the only way to do recruitment, but because it's how you build the depth to spot the difference between a strong CV and a strong hire.

It's also why so many of our clients come back to us years, even decades, after a first placement.

01
Accountancy & Finance
→
 02
Human Resources
→
 03
Commercial Office
Administration, customer service, project management and more
→
 04
Technology
→
 05
Engineering & Manufacturing
→
 06
Scientific
→
 07
Sales, Marketing & Creative
→
 08
Executive Search
Across all of the above
→

Beyond the recruitment itself, we produce annual salary guides, regional market reports, and the practical resources our clients and candidates turn to when they want a clearer view of what's happening in their sector.

THE WAY WE WORK

How we work

Four principles show up in every conversation and every process.
01

Be curious.

We stay interested in the market we work in, and in the people who work in it.

02

Keep it human.

We remember your kids' names and know how you take your coffee. That's just how we work here.

03

Make a difference.

We're here to help people build careers they love and businesses they're proud of.

04

Enjoy the ride.

Recruitment is a career, but it should be fun too. If it isn't, we've done something wrong.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Recruitment
as it should be.

Hire with TOG → Looking for a role →
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