You’ve likely heard it before: “It’s not about what you know, it’s who you know.” When it comes to finding jobs and internships, there’s a lot of truth to that. Building and maintaining relationships in your areas of interest gives you a professional support system — people who can share insider knowledge about industries and organizations, offer advice from their own success in the field, refer you early when they’re hiring, and help you feel at ease in professional settings. In fact, as many as 80% of jobs are filled through networking connections. Sometimes the best opportunities come from a conversation, not an application.
So now that you know it’s important, how can you prepare for a networking opportunity? Whether it’s a big event or a one-on-one conversation, a little prep goes a long way. Here are five tips to help you show up ready.
1.
Decide what your goals are
What type of information or advice are you hoping to gain from attending the networking event, or having a networking conversation? For introverts, networking doesn’t have to happen at a big event, it can just be a one-on-one conversation with someone whose career you admire. Either way, having a clear goal, or goals, in mind will help you plan your approach and stay focused on what you came for.
Do you want to learn more about the next steps to advance in a particular career path? Do you want to build relationships with hiring managers at specific companies? Just want to practice networking to get more confident with it? Learn what job openings are coming up? Get feedback on how to become a stronger candidate? Pick one or two to focus on, and let them guide the rest of your prep.
2.
Research the organizations and people you’ll meet
Once you know who you’ll be meeting, or who will be attending the event, visit their organization’s website and review their purpose, mission, and values. To gain more background knowledge ahead of time, scan the news and social media for any recent mentions of their name or organization in articles, reports, projects, announcements, events, etc. LinkedIn is also a great place to look at personal profiles and work histories. As you read, jot down a few thoughtful questions to bring with you.
3.
Practice your elevator pitch
Have a professional elevator pitch ready so that you can introduce yourself concisely and leave a great first impression. Take time to practice delivering the essentials about yourself in under a minute. Who are you? Start with your name, school, major, and year. What makes you unique? Think about your skills, strengths, experiences, and achievements. And going back to tip No. 1, what are your goals for the event or conversation? Maybe you’re looking for information, advice, an internship, or a job. When you can introduce yourself with ease, you’ll feel more confident walking up to someone new.
4.
Listen, then ask
One of the best ways to make an impression is to remember names. When someone introduces themselves, repeat their name right away while looking at their face to help it stick: “Great to meet you, Shirley! I’m…”
Active listening and thoughtful questions also go a long way. Pay careful attention to what they’re saying, pick up on what they care about, and ask follow-up questions. Notice what you’re curious about or don’t quite understand, and ask about that, too. Curiosity is the name of the game!
Keep follow-up questions open-ended, rather than yes or no questions, like, “Tell me more about that,” “How does that work in your organization?” “Why do you think that is?” or “What’s your take on…” If you’re nervous about holding professional conversations, check out the conversation starters on page 6 of our Networking Resource Guide. The more genuinely interested you are, the more memorable you’ll be.
5.
End on a strong note
At a networking event, you’ll want to take advantage of the opportunity to meet multiple people, without monopolizing any one person’s time. When you feel things winding down and you’ve gotten most of your questions answered, wrap up cleanly and confidently.
Smile, say thank you (mentioning something specific you learned), and make a plan to stay in touch. Don’t skip that last step, since it’s the reason you came! Exchange contact information, whether that means connecting on LinkedIn, asking for a business card, or swapping email addresses, and let them know when they can expect to hear from you.
Bonus
To get started with your networking practice, register for the Networking Dinner on November 18th! This is a great opportunity to meet professionals in a range of industries and learn about their experiences in the workforce, all in a familiar, low-stakes environment. The event is open to all students, free to attend, and mocktails and dinner will be provided. We’ll see you there!
