Networking: A Guide For Students and Those Who Suck At It
So, you’ve heard that you should be networking right? Networking is crucial to a successful career and cracking the hidden job market but you’d rather try sober up David Hasslehoff than be forced to network.
Well have I got the solution for you!
- I’m only a student and have nothing to offer to the conversation
- I’m an inexperienced practitioner with no stories to tell
- I hate meeting new people and would rather paint the toes of my mother-in-law than go to a networking event
What you may not realize is that your student status, your inexperience and your fear are levers that will enable you to become a master networker. People love nothing more than to share their story and if you can sneak in the fact that you are new to the profession or a student it will make them even more excited as they get a chance to shape tomorrow’s leaders.
Pareto Principle for Networking
Listen = 80% Talk = 20%
Strike with a Confident Hand
Over time you will build up your own library of stories and you can start to part your wisdom but, until, then I urge you to attend, strike with a confident shake of the hand and listen like you’ve never listened before.
Damon is our Women of HR Featured Contributor this week. Click over to meet him and see what he has to say about himself, his career, and his views on the workplace and the women in it.
4 Responses to “Networking: A Guide For Students and Those Who Suck At It”
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Andrea, completely agree that students who can network differentiate themself straight away!
I think in some ways this post is a part 1. on the introduction to networking. Part 2. would be about how to maximise your impact during your 20% talking time and asking the right questions and asking questions that reflects upon what they are saying.
You also hit another great point which could make a 3rd post which is about the reciprocity of networking. Show how you can add value and ask if you can help them and then your time will come and your shoulder will be tapped. Just have to be patient.
Asking for jobs and contacts at a networking event is a bit like starting your resume with your career objective. Straight away you are listing of your demands to potential employers. I start of showing them what problems I can solve for them. If you really want to impress them then solve a problem that they didn’t even know was a problem yet!
Thanks for your comment Micaela! Hope the tips help you in your networking adventures!
Damon, Thanks for this post. I go to a lot of college recruiting events and am always impressed by the students who know how to network. They approach me and ask things like “What is your experience like on our campus? How do our students/classes/clubs compare to other schools where you recruit? What can we do to make campus recruiting a better experience for you? How can I help you spread the word about your company to my classmates and professors?” Great questions that lead to a great conversation. Compare that to “Hi. I’m looking for a job. Are you hiring anyone?” What a difference!
Micaela Amabile says: Some great tips there Damon! Networking doesn’t sound so daunting when you break it down to the art of listening more ad talking less. I’ll definitely be taking you up on these tips and hope to hear plenty more.
Andrea, completely agree that students who can network differentiate themself straight away!
I think in some ways this post is a part 1. on the introduction to networking. Part 2. would be about how to maximise your impact during your 20% talking time and asking the right questions and asking questions that reflects upon what they are saying.
You also hit another great point which could make a 3rd post which is about the reciprocity of networking. Show how you can add value and ask if you can help them and then your time will come and your shoulder will be tapped. Just have to be patient.
Asking for jobs and contacts at a networking event is a bit like starting your resume with your career objective. Straight away you are listing of your demands to potential employers. I start of showing them what problems I can solve for them. If you really want to impress them then solve a problem that they didn’t even know was a problem yet!
Thanks for your comment Micaela! Hope the tips help you in your networking adventures!
Damon, Thanks for this post. I go to a lot of college recruiting events and am always impressed by the students who know how to network. They approach me and ask things like “What is your experience like on our campus? How do our students/classes/clubs compare to other schools where you recruit? What can we do to make campus recruiting a better experience for you? How can I help you spread the word about your company to my classmates and professors?” Great questions that lead to a great conversation. Compare that to “Hi. I’m looking for a job. Are you hiring anyone?” What a difference!
Some great tips there Damon! Networking doesn’t sound so daunting when you break it down to the art of listening more ad talking less. I’ll definitely be taking you up on these tips and hope to hear plenty more.