Skills for Work

The benefits of networking

How social media can affect your work life

The power of portfolios

The benefits of networking

Networking is a term you’ll probably hear a lot of through your life, and even more so as you begin working towards a career. But what does networking actually mean, and is it really that important? Let's find out what the benefits of networking are and why you should start as soon as possible.

Let’s break it down - what is networking?

Essentially, it’s the building of purposeful relationships - that is, relationships that can add some form of value to your life (outside of socialising).

Networking at high school might seem a bit different than if you’re an already established businessperson, for example. But at the end of the end of the day, it’s pretty similar. Actively seeking out and improving relationships beyond your immediate circle counts as networking, no matter how old you are.

Build social and professional relationships

When people hear "networking", they typically think of a bunch of people in suits meeting in a conference room, shaking hands and swapping business cards. But there really isn't just one way to network - in fact, there are heaps of things that count as networking, even if they don't seem like it.

Connecting with other students outside your friend zone for study groups, mentoring, sports, etc.? That’s networking.
Developing better relationships with others when you need help, would like to volunteer your time, or get experience? That’s networking too.
Working at MacDonald’s for a few hours a week and engaging with other staff members and supervisors? You guessed it - networking.
Volunteering in an organisation and making an effort to interact with other volunteers and staff, as well as clients or customers? You probably know where this is going...it's networking!

Whenever you make new contacts, share information or ideas, or have meaningful conversations about relevant topics, that’s the basic definition of networking. You’re probably already networking, you just might not realise it.

There are plenty of benefits to networking

You might be asking yourself why you should bother networking. After all, it’s an investment of your time and effort, so what do you get out of it?

Ultimately, there’s the possibility that your networking connections could create new opportunities or support you later down the track. For example, one of your links may provide you with:

a great reference
a recommendation for a job
the chance to join a team or project that you’re interested in
an opportunity to learn skills that add value to your resume
the chance to become a more competitive candidate in courses or job applications thanks to the knowledge, ideas, or information you learn from them.

When you’re looking for work, from internships to promotions, many positions are filled internally (that is, they don't even advertise the role to the public). Having strong connections could mean that you’ll be the one to benefit in those situations.

Over the course of your career, if you stay focused and keep networking, you’ll end up with a large circle of acquaintances. They’ll be a great source of knowledge, provide you with up-to-date and relevant information, or might even send new clients and customers your way.

What skills can you learn from networking?

If these benefits aren't enough, maybe knowing that networking can help you build some valuable skills will give you the push you need to start.

Communication: Building relationships and sharing knowledge requires speaking. Learning to communicate with people from different walks of life is a very valuable tool.
Active listening: This is important too - concentrating on what you’re being told, not interrupting, responding thoughtfully, and remembering what was said.
Non-verbal communication: Recognising and understanding unspoken communication such as facial expressions, eye contact, and body language is useful in nearly any career.
Public speaking: Mastering this early could put you at an advantage during interviews and other meetings where making a good and lasting impression is important.
Professionalism: Particularly in a career context, looking the part is key to successful networking. So is being polite, friendly, and thoughtful.
Patience: Just like making new friends, building connections can take time. Even if you're not successful right away, the more effort you put in, the more you'll get in return.

It’s never too early to start networking

If you’re still at high school, don’t be shy. Here’s a few simple ideas on how you could start networking, or expanding your existing network, right away.

Join clubs: Find those that reflect your areas of interest or subject choices, or consider signing up to ones that could teach you important skills. This includes anything from sporting clubs and study groups to focused project groups and community groups.
Chat with your parents’ friends and parents of your friends: They are a gold mine of information, with lots of knowledge about careers and educational pathways, amongst other things. They’ll also have connections of their own, which could possibly help you find work experience, a paid job, and more.
Maximise opportunities: Think things like work experience placements, unpaid and volunteer work, or internships. Be professional, interested, and enthusiastic, and take every opportunity to learn from and chat to others in the organisation. You never know where it could lead.
Put your social media to good use: Consider joining LinkedIn, an online platform made especially for networking. Think about connections you’d like to make and businesses you’d like to follow. Don't be afraid to interact with people you admire or want to learn more about. Just make sure you keep an eye on what you post (or your post history).

By the time you leave high school or graduate from university, you might be surprised at how large your network is.

One thing to remember

Networking is a two-way street - people won’t include you in their circle if you don’t contribute your own ideas and information. Volunteering your services, introducing people to others who might be helpful, or recommending connections and services are all ways you can add value to your relationships.

How social media can affect your work life

Let's face it, most of us love social media. And even if you don't love it, you probably use it. It can be a great way of keeping in touch with friends and family, finding news and events, or even just entertaining ourselves. But as social media becomes even more a part of our lives and identity, there's something else we need to consider - does it affect our work life? Let's find out.

How employers use social media

According to a research from Zippia in 2023, 67% of organisations use social media to research potential employees - so when you apply for a job, there's a high chance the person deciding whether or not to hire you will see what you've been posting.

And that's not all. What you post on the internet could potentially be seen by anyone, whether it's employers, co-workers, or customers. With more and more organisations introducing social media policies that staff need to follow, there could be serious consequences to what you post.

But don't start stressing yet - we're here to explain the dos and don'ts of social media so you can maintain a good reputation online while still enjoying the benefits on offer.

What counts as social media?

What can be defined as "social media" is actually quite broad, and includes more sites than you'd think.

It's not just Facebook and Instagram - in fact, almost any online platform where content can be shared could be considered social media. Some common examples include:

Social networking platforms (Facebook, Twitter, WEChat, WhatsApp, etc.)
Professional networking platforms (LinkedIn, etc.)
Discussion forums (Reddit, Whirlpool, etc.)
Media sharing platforms (YouTube, TikTok, Flickr, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.)
Content production and blogs (Tumblr, WordPress, etc.)
Wikis (Wikipedia, wiki.gg, etc.)
Gaming platforms and environments (online games, Discord, Steam, etc.)

While many of these sites and platforms allow you to post under a username or anonymously, it's likely that it can still be tracked back to you in some way.

Take this as a general rule of thumb: if you're putting something on the internet, always think twice before you hit post.

What's good social media conduct?

While rules and policies can vary, there are some basics most people tend to follow. Even if the place you work or study has no specific social media policy, these are some good guidelines to follow to make sure your online presence doesn't cause any conflict.

Appropriate behaviour

This one's fairly obvious: make sure you behave appropriately online. There are real people behind the screens, so treat people online like you would treat them in person. And maybe think twice before letting your mate post those embarrassing photos.

Other things that could get you in hot water include:

Cyberbullying and harassing others online
Posting obscene or offensive things
Spreading information that is false, misleading, or deceptive

Can I post about my job?

Be extremely careful if you make any sort of post or reference about your job (even if it's to say something nice).

If you're posting a photo or video wearing a company uniform or on work premises, make sure this is OK according to your workplace's policy.

And if you're unhappy with something that's happened with work, don't vent about it online; we know it can be tempting to badmouth your annoying colleague or a frustrating customer experience, but this can get you in a lot of trouble. Your workplace should have an appropriate channel you can take these concerns, like talking to your manager.

There are even some cases where posting about your job on personal social media sites is not allowed at all - you'll see more about this below.

Can I post about my school?

Remember, policies and rules surrounding social media aren't just for workers to follow.

Universities, schools, and other education providers usually also have rules about what you post that might be associated with them as well. Your behaviour online could potentially lead to some serious consequences, like having your enrollment cancelled.

If you'd like to take a look at an example, here's Bond University's Social Media Policy - it applies to both staff and students at Bond.

Social media: Are there profession-specific rules?

As well as the general rules above, specific professions also have rules employees must follow in regards to social media. We're going to cover some common ones, but even if your dream job doesn't appear below, you might want to do some extra research just in case.

Healthcare professionals

This includes almost everyone working in health, including doctors, nurses, midwives, carers, support workers, administrative staff, and more.

One of the big things to consider as a healthcare professional is privacy and patient confidentiality. You need to be really careful not to post any identifying details about one of your patients. An example includes uploading pictures that might have things in the background, like scans and reports, that could potentially contain confidential information.

As a healthcare worker, your views and opinions on some matters can also be influential. Be careful when expressing opinions about social issues online. Maintaining appropriate boundaries and relationships with patients online is very important too.

You can see the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency's guide to social media for healthcare professionals here.

Police officers

As a police officer, your reputation (as well as the reputation of the force as a whole) is taken extremely seriously. So it's not surprising that they have some pretty strict rules when it comes to social media.

Common things include not sharing confidential information (such as information about ongoing investigations), making comments about the police force or government, and even posting pictures of yourself in uniform on private social media.

If you want to dive a bit deeper, take a look at QLD Police's social media policy here.

Defence Force

Similar to the police, the Defence Force also has clear and enforceable guidelines when it comes to personnel posting information on social media. Again, it's mostly concerned with protecting confidential information and upholding the reputation of the Defence Force.

An interesting thing to keep in mind is that these rules apply to young people as well, whether you're participating in a Cadet program or Defence Work Experience.

Read the ADF's policy on social media use here.

Teachers

Teachers need to be careful when posting on social media, particularly around matters relating to students. They're advised to not post anything work-related to personal accounts, particularly if it contains any identifying information about students or other staff.

It is also very important that teachers should never interact with students on social media, other than through official school accounts.

See more about how teachers at public schools in NSW are advised to use social media in the Department of Education's guide here.

Lawyers

Once you finish your studies and want to become a practicing lawyer, there are certain things other than your education that can affect your hopes of being admitted. One consideration is that you are a "fit and proper person" to practice. In the days of social media, what you post can be one of the things used to determine your fitness to practice.

As with many of the other professions above, client confidentiality is also incredibly important. Lawyers must make sure not to reveal any information about a client or case.

Using social media to find work - Be professional

Social media can be a useful tool to put yourself out there to potential employers. These days, it's becoming more and more common for people to find work through social media channels, so making a good impression is always important.

So, what's the long and short of it? If you're going to use social media, privately or professionally, make sure you use it the right way. Be considerate, positive, and mindful of what you put out there and the way you interact with the online world - it matters more than you might think.

The power of portfolios

When applying for jobs or university courses, you might find you're asked to submit a portfolio alongside (or instead of) a resume or your academic results. But what exactly is a portfolio, and why does it matter? In this blog, we'll explore everything you need to know about portfolios, and provide some tips so you can start building your own right away.

What is a portfolio?

In simple terms, it's a collection of your best work and achievement - a showcase of your skills, accomplishments, and experiences that allows others to gain insights into your abilities.

Why are portfolios useful?

Portfolios are great because they provide a broader understanding of your capabilities beyond traditional grades and test scores. They allow universities and potential employers to assess your potential based on real work you've undertaken.

Different types of portfolios

Portfolios come in two primary forms: physical and digital, and each has its advantages.

Physical portfolios

As you might have guessed, these are tangible collections of your work and achievements. They can take the form of a physical binder, folder, or even a custom-made presentation book. They're well-suited for artistic and industrial disciplines, where the physical presence of your work matters, such as fine art, architecture, or fashion.

Digital portfolios

Digital portfolios, on the other hand, are virtual collections of your work and accomplishments, presented through online platforms or websites. They allow you to showcase multimedia content, including documents, images, videos, and interactive elements. They're highly versatile and are particularly valuable for fields that emphasise technology and digital skills, such as web development, graphic design, or digital marketing.

Which one should I choose?

The decision to create a physical or digital portfolio depends on your goals and the industry you're targeting. Physical portfolios can create a lasting impact in visual and hands-on fields, where the tactile experience matters. On the other hand, digital portfolios offer convenience and accessibility, making them ideal for showcasing tech-savvy skills and reaching a broader audience online.

And there's nothing wrong with having one of each either!

Who might ask for a portfolio?

Portfolios are sometimes requested by universities during the admissions process, especially for creative or specialised programs, or for alternative entry pathways (including early entry).

In the professional world, industries such as design, marketing, media, technology, and engineering may require them when evaluating candidates for roles. And even if not explicitly asked for, having one can make you a more attractive candidate and set you apart from the competition.

What to include in a portfolio

To create an impactful portfolio, regardless of its form, you should try to include the following elements:

Your best work: Choose samples that showcase your skills and achievements most effectively.
Reflections: Add brief explanations or reflections on each piece, highlighting what you learned or gained from the experience.
Recommendations: If possible, include letters of recommendation from teachers, supervisors, or mentors.
Resume: Attach a resume that outlines your experiences and accomplishments.

When selecting work samples for your portfolio, consider the specific requirements and expectations of the job or course you're pursuing. For example, if you're applying for a graphic design position, focus on showcasing your design projects, visual communication skills, and proficiency with design software.

Start building your portfolio

If you're in high school and want to start building your portfolio, you can follow these steps:

Identify your passions: Determine your interests and strengths to create a portfolio that aligns with your goals.
Gather your work: Collect your best pieces, certificates, and awards that showcase your skills and achievements.
Seek feedback: Share it with teachers, mentors, or friends to gain valuable insights and improve your presentation.
Keep updating: As you progress, continue adding new accomplishments and works.

Building a portfolio is an ongoing process of growth and refinement. As you gain new skills, finish new projects, or receive feedback, continuously update and improve it. Regularly reassess the relevancy and impact of your work samples and make adjustments as needed.