Networking Tips

[kitten chick]

My graduation reception is coming up and I'm one of the few career changers in my program. Most of the people are already working in the field and have connections. I want a new job (still looking) so I thought this would be a good opportunity to network.

 

So hit me with your best networking tips! Please

Also please keep in mind that I'm a social nightmare.

[jerbear]

Since you are a lady, offer to shake hands. Depends on the group. The "older" boys club would prefer a lady extend her hand for a hand shake as opposed to offering their own.

 

If it was a younger guy, doesn't really matter; offer a hand shake; state your name and go from there. If it is someone you aleady know, you can even use the two handed shake. Shake your hand then put the other hand over it; wish them luck etc...

 

Dress professionally and if you have a broach pin, put it on. It can serve as a conversation piece. Carry some business cards. If you have a PDA put your contact information in it so you can either email it or beam it to them.

 

What careers are you looking into before I go further?

[kitten chick]

I'm trying to move from conservative corporate (finance) to a non-profit in the science field. The new field are not likely to have PDAs and the like. It would be a more casual community as far as gadgets and dress are concerned. Going to class after work, I was always the only one in a suit. I'm ok on dress, I just don't know how to hit people up for jobs properly. I think they know that I'm looking to make a career change though.

[alphamale]

So hit me with your best networking tips! Please

for women? short skirts and fake tits work quite well...

[Pyro]

for women? short skirts and fake tits work quite well...

 

Perfect for a woman with an I.Q. less than 50, but I believe that K.C. does not qualify for that.

 

My only advice: look sharp, have confidence in yourself, eye contact, and know your shyt.

[jerbear]

Is this graduate, undergrad, cert, or something else?

 

There are alumni networks you can join and call to talk.

 

How I got my current job was I flat out asked if there are any job openings.

 

Best cases are when they casually mention that they have openings. Sometimes you just have to ask. I've heard cases of men taking advantage so that is sign of a future work environment. I'm a guy and even use it as a test of the organizational structure and culture.

 

If you have a guest list you can do some research on the person's company and hobbies. Strike up convesations and they might open up. Everyone knows it is an networking event so once they open up. ask a little about how to apply.

[jerbear]

for women? short skirts and fake tits work quite well...

 

:lmao:

[bab]

Ask your professors to introduce you to people they know. If there is a conference, go. And better yet, go out for beers with everyone after the talks have ended.

 

Go up to one of these people ask about their work, tell them what you've studied and ask if they know of any job openings. Just flat out say, I'm graduating this year, and I would really like to work with you.

 

That's what I did, and I had some of those guys go to bat for me, and I got a job. You need someone in your corner.

 

Does this non-profit place have anything set up for volunteers? If so, do the obvious and volunteer.

[kitten chick]

I may be neurotic but I have a brain and I'd rather show that than my boobs. I don't really care which is more likely to get me the job, I don't roll that way.

 

My program was a consortium of 5 organizations, including my university, so a good majority of the graduates are working for one of the organizations. I know enough about each. This is a highly intellectual group and most of their lives revolve around the sets of issues that we were studying so I will admit that I do find it somewhat intimidating but I also find the people and conversations a pleasure to be involved with.

 

You might be right jerbear, I may just have to flat out ask.

[Bogun]

for women? short skirts and fake tits work quite well...

You do this, I'll give you a job straight away.

 

Also please keep in mind that I'm a social nightmare.

Care to explain what you get up to?

[lindya]

So hit me with your best networking tips! Please

Also please keep in mind that I'm a social nightmare.

 

If I'm at some sort of event where I don't know anyone, I'll tend to look for a group of people who seem like most like my type. Then go over and hover on the outskirts of their conversation, smile briefly at any of them who turn and look at me, then focus my attention on whoever's speaking. They'll start adjusting their body language to include me in the conversation, and if or when I have anything that seems worth contributing I'll say it (as briefly as possible) followed up with a "sorry, I should introduce myself - I'm..."

 

Next, it's about preventing the group from disintegrating - as it will if the conversation becomes all about you (as the new arrival to the group) and you start focusing your whole attention on one person. You never want to be that person whose presence broke the group up. Volunteer information about yourself - in a concise but friendly manner -when it's requested. For every bit of information you give about yourself, show reciprocal interest in your questioner. If you sense someone else in the group is trying to get a word in, giving them an opening and your attention. Just generally be interested in everyone who's part of that group.

 

Pay a reasonable amount of attention to the person you're speaking to. If at any point you see them stifle a yawn or steal a quick glance at their watch, quickly wrap up what you were saying, tell them it was nice meeting them and move on.

 

These things are a bit of an ordeal for lots of people. The worst that will happen is that you'll encounter someone who finds it more of an ordeal than you do, and end up stuck in a corner of the room with them for the entire duration of the event and missing out on opportunities to network. That might be fine at a party, but this is a career networking event, so you need to be out there meeting prospective employers and colleagues.

 

Don't feel, when you've met someone who seems interested in employing you that you should spend the whole event talking to them. If they seem interested, give them your card and get theirs.

[kitten chick]

Thanks lindya. That was excellent advice. Hopefully I can follow through with it. I'm usually ok (I think) once I've been introduced or the conversation is started with me, it's approaching that I have difficulty with. I'm most likely that person that would end up in the corner but I'm going to try. I've found most of my classmates are pretty nice people, most likely due to the cause/studies. I'm pretty sure this event will mostly be made up of my peers rather than employers but my peers do work for organizations that I would be interested in. Maybe one of them will have a lead for me.

[StrivingtoSucceed]

I'm in sales and have to travel to trade shows quite a bit. Sometimes with a group of people, sometimes by myself. My job is to sell my company, so I had to learn to go up to people and start the conversation. Hard at first, definitely.

 

Some people think that you have to be a people person in order to do this, but that isn't true. While I generally get along with everybody, I don't like going up to complete strangers and initiating the conversation. However, it is my job and I do it extremelly well.

 

One thing I have learned is that it is much easier to start talking with people that are sitting down at a table (breakfast, lunch, dinner, receptions, parties, etc.). Bring your plate/drink over to where there is one or two empty chairs, ask if anyone is sitting there, when they say no which will probably be the case (in 13 years, I have never had someone say the chair is taken ... if they are there is a coat, purse, drink, napkin across chair, chair is tilted into the table, etc.), then they will probably start the conversation. If not, say thank you/hello and introduce yourself. Ask them what they do. They, in turn, will ask you. When you tell them about yourself be open ... tell them you love what you have been doing and are actively searching for a position that will allow you to continue. If they know anyone looking they will let you know. One note of caution ... if you plan to use a specific function as an actual networking tool - it wouldn't be a good idea to load up your plate as you won't have time to do a lot of eating.

 

Be honest and yourself ... it will all fall into place. Good luck!

[kitten chick]

Thanks StrivingtoSucceed. Those are good tips. I'm not sure what this particular event will be like but I will definitely keep those in mind for the future.