Networking in London... how?
I moved to London 4 months ago and I'll admit, I'm struggling. I've got no friends or family here and I'm currently freelancing. Though I'm looking for a perm job with an agency, networking would really make things easier. Are there any face-to-face networking events taking place anytime soon or is everything still confined to the likes of Zoom and Google Meet?
This also applies for meeting new people and making friends. I love going out and exploring, reading, eating, learning, seeing and London has it all... apart from people to do it with! Google search reveals there seems to be a big problem with people feeling isolated and alone in the city. How have others tackled this issue?
With the social and work aspect, do any people work for companies who do actually team build together? My first / last workplace in London seemed stunned at the concept of grabbing an afternoon coffee or meeting up on a Friday after hours. In previous jobs, I always enjoyed getting to know people I worked with properly as a way of understanding how they worked beyond the actual work they would output.
Honestly, I don't even know how to categorise this question or who to aim it at!? I guess it's more of a debate / talking point, haha!
Replies7
- I also struggled in the beginning. In October we got a dog, and I've met so many lovely people walking my dog at our local park. Before going freelance in March I worked a job but never made a solid connection with my ex-colleagues.
- Also! Go to Borrow My Doggy and borrow a dog. Dog walkers will nearly always have a chat. brief chats at places like Hampstead Heath etc. Longer chats at more local parks, where local people go every day, you're more likely to find people clumping together for 30 mins or so chatting while the dogs run around/ chase balls etc
- Hi Alexander,yes it took me ages for London to start feeling like home, but it really does now.The meet-up suggestions are great, also Eventbrite has a load of things going on. Subscribe to the Londonist for an update of nice things happening in London every week. Migrateful do cooking classes which are convivial.Classes/ get togethers that depend on people talking to each other are useful - I think 'philosophy walks' are still going, and that depends on everyone discussing preset questions together while you walk. There's probably some film clubs that do the same. Art galleries might have something like that - the late night events are probably quite easy for talking to strangers.I run a film festival called the Shiny Awards, for new directors making a career in commercials. Not quite your tribe but close I expect. We have online Awards every 2 months, which are free and have 20 mins of chat roulette after the screening. We're also back to having real life parties for networking, the first one is at Havas Kings Cross on 23rd September. Tickets are £35. There'll be loads of directors, production companies, reps and of course Havas people there, plus free food and drink. The purpose of the event is easy and friendly networking. If you decide to come, come and find me to say hello, I'll hook you up with people.Good luck, it gets easier, and London + friends (and money from a good job) is just fantasticCaroline :)
- Hi AlexanderGreat ‘networking’ should feel like ‘not working’.Therefore, think about easy options to meet the people you want to and most importantly what you’d like to offer them. This going in mindset is really important.You may, for example, join some social media groups, the Dots or LinkedIn to create something that is of value to the people you want to meet. It might be a paper, a tool, a book recommendation or a meet up.Then, create it and put it out there. It may start small but you’ll quickly meet or find people who connect with what you’re about. And, due to the power of reciprocity, they may well offer you something in return.There are also loads of events put on by industry bodies - creatives, marketing, ad agencies etc. They’re usually low cost to join and sometimes free. Great place to meet likeminded people in chilled environments.Do you have an alumni group in London? Again maybe a starting point.Good luck and Stay Boom!S
- When I first moved to London I attended a lot of MeetUp events, I think most of them are face to face now: https://www.meetup.com/. I found some good friends here. It can be a hit and miss so don't be put off if at the beginning it doesn't work, try new groups.Regarding the workplace, yes. I found it hard too: in Italy I was used to have lunch with the team everyday and sometimes breakfast too (outside the office). I remember once I asked a colleague via email to go out for lunch and she answered "No."..hahaha.I think it depends on the company really, most of them have weekly or monthly social events ans it's quite common, even if I prefer the spontaneous ones.It's also the time we live in: I like doing things by myself and previously I've never felt alone because there was always an opportunity for chatting with someone (talks, exhibitions, random strangers. etc). Now we still keep our distance so, yes, it's different now.
- London is a huge city; of course, the bigger a city, the more the sensation of being mistreated because of the fast pace and the high expensive prices. However, it also offers lots of opportunities. For a graphic designer like me, it is a unique opportunity to being inspired just only walking on the street as the city is as culturally vibrant as few others can be—in the world.One idea I did when I arrived: I enrolled on some photoshoots MeetUp events; it was an awesome way to know interesting London locations while practising in small groups photography in a very cool way. Photoshoots invite to share the experience, and most of the time, the event ends by sharing some beers in a pub.Networking takes time, time to do some research, time to go to places, time to enrol on all kinds of events, and most importantly, patience. I hope it helps.Open to network, and share experiences. Feel free to message me,Best,
- Hello Alex,Very insightful question my personal overview is that Living in London is highly stressful due to high rent and generally being hecticFollowing factors effecting people and why people appear miserable :TFL services and rail services over priced and not adequateinflation making cost of living going upJob wages stagnant for the last 10years which also means a lot of people unable to save effectively and barely surviving due to government policy also poor job opportunitiesSalary under payment but increased workloads and poor work life balance due to workplace policies not effectively implemented to benefit employeesSome women/families with kids unable to afford nursery/childcare also due to government policy as its expensivePoor entry level job opportunities for graduates and masters graduatesProperty ladder and private renting market ineffective and expensive due to government policy alsoIn summarisation men and women in London going through different problems and stresses so sometimes it’s not personal just individuals go through a lot in a working week likely to be mentally and physically drainedOpen to network feel free to message me
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