Find your networking groove
By Sophia Dickinson, IABC Victoria Brand Co-Chair
Networking is a professional activity some enjoy more than others, but it’s not exclusively the domain of extroverts. It can be an enjoyable and valuable opportunity for all professionals. It can feel like a chore, especially during Victorian winters when the days are short and the nights are cold, but in my experience, attending a networking event is always worth it. I’ve made long-lasting connections, heard inspiring career journeys and gained valuable knowledge I couldn’t have gotten any other way. For you, it might mean a bit of time to yourself to focus on your career, an opportunity to give back to your professional community by sharing your experience or just a fun evening out to help beat the winter blues.
Whether you’re a seasoned networker or new to the game, I hope the insights below will encourage you to put yourself out there and sign up for a networking opportunity soon!
The benefits of networking – a true story
“It’s not about who you know, it’s who knows you”, Bob Knakal, New York Investment Property Broker.
For communications and corporate affairs professionals, networking isn’t about the hard sell, it’s about building relationships. It’s an opportunity to showcase your values and knowledge and learn from people outside your day-to-day life. You never know who you’ll meet and when you might cross paths with them again.
When I moved to Melbourne eight years ago, I didn’t know anyone except a few cousins who were in different professional fields. I got a job through a recruitment agency but was eager to build professional connections beyond my workplace and maybe even make some friends.
I attended any event that piqued my interest, including a careers night hosted by the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA). There I met Sally Richardson, a solicitor who had been a legal adviser to the Australian diplomatic team serving on the United Nations Security Council in New York. We were both working in the Victorian Public Service at the time, so we ran into each other again at a state government event, and Sal kindly invited me to catch up for coffee. We shared reflections on the Melbourne job market and Sal gave me some encouraging and helpful advice.
We kept in touch on LinkedIn and a few years later, when I was working for an industry association, Sal got an Executive Corporate Affairs role at one of our member organisations. We caught up again and I was able to pass on some industry insights and hear what her organisation wanted to get out of their membership. Our existing rapport made it far less awkward when I had to approach Sal about sponsoring our activities.
More recently, when I attended my first IABC Victoria event, I discovered a community of people with professional skills and experiences similar to mine. It was refreshing to talk shop, exchange war stories and learn about other people’s career paths. It reminded me why I love what I do and how grateful I am to have transferrable skills that are useful in almost any industry!
Some quick tips
Over the years, I’ve built my confidence by going to numerous networking events. Sometimes I’m out every week, other times I need a break; it’s important to be mindful of your needs and manage your time and energy accordingly. Also remember to be kind to yourself – it might feel a little uncomfortable at times, but we’re all our own harshest critics.
Here are a few tricks I’ve found useful:
Be prepared. Do a bit of research about the speakers (if there are any), the host organisation or the industries other attendees work in. This will give you something of shared interest to bring up in your conversations.
Keep it short and sweet. Don’t be afraid to politely wrap up a conversation before it gets awkward.
Have your LinkedIn QR code or business card ready to give to people so they can contact you afterwards.
Fly solo. If you don’t know anyone, find someone who’s standing alone and strike up a conversation with them. Of course, go with a buddy if you’re still building your confidence, but avoid the temptation to keep to yourselves – include others in your conversation or split up to work the room.
Ready to give it a go? At IABC Victoria’s Winter Mingle on 24 July, you’ll find a bunch of friendly, passionate professionals gathered in a relaxed environment. They’ll all be interested in communications and corporate affairs, so come armed with an anecdote about something that’s been in the news recently, insights from your favourite podcast or a work-related question, and you’ll have no trouble striking up a conversation with anyone in the room.
🗓️ Thursday 24 July 2025
⌚5pm to 7.30pm
📍 The Emerald Peacock, 233 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
🎫 This event will be FREE for IABC Victoria members, or $50 for non-members.
Further resources
Networking and the strength of weak ties, This Working Life podcast, 23 May 2025
Networking done right, WNA Trailblazers podcast, 4 September 2022
How professional networking can help your career, SEEK content team, seek.com.au, 8 February 2024
