A PIECE OF ART: THE MINI GUIDE TO NETWORKING
Networking is comparable to art; the more you practice the better you get at it. However, there are a few moments of times when you can get lucky and a stroke will align perfectly with the bigger picture. You want to find a balance between experience and luck. To ensure that you make the most out of all the networking opportunities at #CORE2017, we have come up with few simple tips that you can use during Day 1 and Day 2.
Tip #1: Have a strong introduction.
As we mentioned previously, a strong introduction is very important. The first seven seconds of impression can very well depict how the rest of the conversation will continue. Here some of the tips we mentioned previously:
1) SMILE and consistently promote a positive attitude
2) Have a firm handshake
3) Maintain eye contact with the representative
4) Maintain a good posture
5) Be engaged and do not appear distracted
Tip #2: Have questions ready!
Before you even approach a representative, have a question ready. This can be a specific question you have about the company or a position, or a simple question like “How was your weekend?”. This starts the conversation and allows you to get a flow going. There’s nothing worse than entering a conversation
and having an awkward silence from the get-go.
Tip #3: Make goals.
Often times it is easy to get overwhelmed or even get stuck in a circle for a long period of time. However, setting a goal like “I must speak to at least 3 people at this event” or “I must say hello to XYZ person” can really help motivate you and keep you on track.
Tip #4: Be facilitative in a circle.
If someone is trying to enter a circle, ensure that they can enter instead of hindering them. Also, try to have conversation with the members of the entire circle and rather than just simply directing your comments to the representative. Representatives notice your attitude towards facilitation and also pick up on how you act around others.
Tip #5: Know when to exit a circle!
Sometimes it’s tough to know when to exit a circle and even tougher to know how to properly exit. The most important thing to remember here is: leave the circle if you do not feel like you are adding any value or you are not receiving any value. If the circle is too big and you aren’t getting the chance to speak, politely thank the representative for their time and tell them you will be making your way around the room. Representatives completely understand this situation. Plus you also don’t want to take too much of their time.
Tip #6: Have Business Cards.
Having business cards is very important. Often times companies will have debriefs after networking sessions to see which students stood out. One way of doing this is counting how many cards a company’s representatives have received from one student. Additionally, if your business card is creative or different from others this can help a recruiter remember you.
Tip #7: Follow-up!
Following-up with representatives is often the most overlooked part of networking. If you asked for a business card or any sort of contact information, ensure you thank the representative for their time and bring up points of your conversation to help them remember who you are. If you have questions that you didn’t have a chance to ask during networking, this is also another chance to do so. Furthermore, seeing your name again reinforces their memory.
We hope that these tips have helped and that you have learned a thing or two! However, if there is one key thing you take away about networking, learn that networking isn’t meant to be scary. It is meant to be a form of communication to get to know people, make connections, and learn about opportunities you may not have know about before.
Happy networking, legacy-makers!
Love,
- CSRSociety
