Networking
 
Firstly you have to ask yourself, why are you networking? What do you hope to get out it? Once you have a gameplan of what you arelooking for, it makes it easier to do.More than anything networkers need to be good with people, to be able to judge what others are looking for and to present themselves in a coherent and interesting way.
 
Another key skill is judgement and patience – you’ll inevitably meet many people who (after a few drinks) will give the impression that they have wonderful prospects for you. Good networkers will have the patience to seek out the real opportunities and judge people on specific criteria.
 
A few tips here: don’t bore people; be a good listener as this will help your judgement and will create a good impression; don’t get drunk as this will damage your credibility; and finally, enjoy it. It’s equally important to be bright and breezy, not seeing the event as hard sales pitch or as a chore.
 
Language Skills

In the last ten years, many publications have outlined the benefits of language learning. The reason that has been most highlighted in these publications has been that of career opportunity and employability for graduates, in other words skills that language graduates (specialist language learners) and other graduates (non-specialist language learners) develop which are of benefit to employers.

It is recognised that language learning makes our graduates truly open to other cultures, more marketable, flexible and adaptable. Furthermore, language learning is viewed as developing communicative competence, and requires language learners to develop a wide range of skills and competences from linguistic skills to sociolinguistic, cognitive, semantic, functional and strategic abilities. Such attributes, all of which are associated with the language learning process have been identified as among the key attributes which employers look for in graduates.

Negotiating with Employers
 
There are all kinds of situations in which you might want to negotiate with a potential or current employer. An inconvenient interview time? Being pressured for an early decision as to whether to take a job offer? Salary too low? These are common problems, and negotiating with employers about them is not always easy. It is worth remembering that employers are looking for the right people just as much as you are looking for the right job. This is a mutual process and it is acceptable to negotiate to reach a win-win position.
 
General tips
 
Decide what you want out of any negotiations before you start, eg:

 - what would be the best outcome you could reasonably aspire to?

 - what do you realistically expect?

 - what is your absolute bottom line?

- which issues are ‘nice to have’ and which are essential?

- when applying Should I accept an interview at an inconvenient time?

Don’t be afraid to ask if the interview can be changed. It may not be possible but you will not be penalized for asking. The Code of Best Practice states that employers should be willing to offer alternative dates where interviews clash with exams and other important academic demands.

When should I discuss taking a year out after graduation?

You could test the water in an informal or anonymous way by asking about their policy on deferral at their recruitment presentation, by calling their recruitment helpline or by checking the information available at the Careers Service. When you do raise the issue with employers, allow room for discussion and negotiation. Be ready to talk about how you intend spending your time out and how the experience will add value to your contribution as an employee.
 
I’ve no idea what salary to ask for – how should I handle this?

Many job advertisements include the salary. Some may give a range, but the exact salary may be determined by your qualifications or experience. It is best to leave negotiating salary until you are absolutely sure an employer wants to recruit you. However, you should investigate the range of salaries for similar roles as part of your interview preparation.
 
I feel I need more information before making a decision.
 
Never be afraid to ask for this. If necessary, ask if you can revisit the employer. Many will be happy to arrange this – sometimes at their own expense – but check whether they will pay before you commit yourself to major expenditure on travel or hotels.
 
How long do I have to consider the offer?

Employers will often indicate the date by which they will expect you to make a decision about an offer. How much time they will give you depends largely upon the employer in question and the time of year. If necessary, ask for more time – you certainly will not be penalised for asking.
 
What should I do if the offer is subject to conditions?

If you could fail to meet the conditions – for example, a particular degree classification – you can accept subject to fulfilling them and consider lower offers. However, it is only fair to the organization making the lower offer to explain that you will only accept if you do not get the job with the higher offer.
 
Can I ask for a higher salary than I’ve been offered?
 
If you have a higher offer from another employer, or you know of other people being paid more for similar jobs, you can try to negotiate with the employer. Consider the total package. How soon will your salary be reviewed? What else is included? Is the job a particularly interesting opportunity that will give you valuable experience? What are these things worth to you? Be clear about your position and at what point you are willing to walk away from the offer.
 
How can I negotiate a deferral until the following year?
 
Hopefully you will already have discussed the possibility of deferring. When the employer makes an offer, say that you definitely want to work there but would like to defer. Before you start negotiating, be clear about how far you are prepared to compromise. Some employers have two starting dates — would you be prepared to start at the later one? If the employer agrees to defer the offer, make sure you get the revised offer in writing.
 
I accepted an offer, but I’ve had second thoughts – what can I do?

Most graduate recruiters would like to be told as soon as possible, while they still have time to find other candidates. Of course they will be disappointed, but most would rather you withdraw before they have incurred additional expense in training you. Don’t do this more than once – after all, graduate recruiters frequently talk to one another. You don’t want to be labeled as an applicant who backs out.
 
I have failed to meet the offer’s conditions. What can I do?
 
First, try to get your result reviewed – speak to your tutors and student union. Contact the employer as soon as possible and explain the position, and any extenuating circumstances. If you are starting postgraduate study, you’ll have to check your position with both the university and your funding body.
 
Is it ever possible to go back to an employer I have turned down?
 
You have nothing to lose, and if one of the employer’s candidates has failed to meet the
conditions of their offer, the firm may be very glad to hear from you. This sort of situation
illustrates why you should always treat employers politely and professionally.
 
The employer has withdrawn an offer
.
This happens very rarely. There is generally little room for negotiation on the terms of
withdrawal, but there may be some scope for negotiating the compensation you receive.
 
IT Essentials
 
Being cooped up inside a computer suite may not seem terribly fun, but more and more employers nowadays are looking for something more from recruits than the mere ability to punch numbers into Excel. A couple of hours a week spent staring at a screen is a small price to pay for a lifetime of more rewarding employment. The European Computer Driving Licence certifies your IT skills against an international standard which is recognised worldwide. There is a small cost for registration with the British Computer Society and assessed online exams resulting in the certificate. Oxford University Computing Services offer this as an option for all registered members of the University with both online training and face-to-face training throughout the year. If you’re after something a little less taxing (but useful nonetheless), the computing departments at both Oxford and Cambridge offer regular training sessions for software.

In any type of business, personal recommendations and informal conversations are more successful for new business than formal (or ‘cold’) approaches. Face to face meetings allow networkers to understand quickly whether the other person has something they are looking for in their business. Networking allows people to get a genuine ‘feel’ as to another person’s ability and personality whilst giving them the opportunity to question them in more detail.