How to approach networking opportunities as a development consultant

Shorter-term consulting gigs can be a great way to get your foot in the door with the big development institutions and learn the ins and outs of that organization, especially if you are transitioning from another sector. In order to find out about consulting gigs, many of which are not advertised externally, networking and professional engagement is critical. But learning about new opportunities is just one of the many reasons consultants need to consistently connect and engage with relevant figures and organizations in the sector, as Roberto Amorosino, a former senior HR specialist at the World Bank and an expert career coach, explained during the second of our three-part globaldev consulting skills event series. “It's very difficult to demonstrate interest in a position [or] anything that we have a passion for or a professional interest [in] without being connected,” Amorosino said. Here are a few more key insights Amorosino offered during the event, which can be viewed in full below. Connect as a professional, not a candidate The focus of networking and engagement efforts should be to share your expertise with like-minded individuals, not just when you are actively searching for new job opportunities, but any “day when we have an opportunity to talk about what we care [about],” Amorosino said. The key is to be “visible, not as a candidate, but as a professional,” he said. “That's the best way to demonstrate that I can be a resource,” which is ultimately what you want to get across to a contact or organization that you ultimately have an interest in working with. “The best time to network is when you don't really need to network,” Amorosino added. More about them, less about you There’s a natural instinct to talk about ourselves when networking opportunities come up, but the key is to first show that you are in tune with your target audience’s work, and then demonstrate how you might fit into it in terms of a potential working relationship. By doing so, “me, as a reviewer, as a listener, I value that you have done research, that you know what I'm doing, Amorosino said,” referring to his experience as a recruiter. Keep the conversation going Whether it’s a chat over LinkedIn, and email thread, or a phone conversation, “the most important thing to do right away is to agree on how to keep the conversation going,” Amorosino said. It’s usually as simple as asking your contact if it would be fine to keep in touch. When you do follow up, try to keep the focus on how you can continue to demonstrate your professional value rather than asking them for any particular updates. Maye it’s “an update about the project that we just spoke [about] … [or an] invite for a conference … whatever you think can be given, shared, and contributed is something that we need to offer,” he said.