Networking is a crucial part of making connections and finding success in job opportunities. Learning and applying strong networking skills will greatly help you to secure job and internship opportunities in your field of study and learning about various career paths in general.
So, how can we effectively work on building our networking skills?
Do your Research and Prepare. Ensuring you researched the company and employers you will be speaking with is extremely helpful in the networking process. For example, if you are attending the Career Fair and plan to meet with 10 different companies, you should research each company, explore what their mission is, and research the employer’s overall achievements. Once you’ve done your research, you’ll be able to not only discuss those key findings, but also to prove to employers that you are knowledgeable about the companies’ work and goals.
Focus on building numerous connections. When you are attending either the Career Fair, a networking event, an interview, an information session, or any other career event, you always want to make sure you are engaging in many conversations with a wide array of employers. The more employers you engage with, the more you can add to your network for future endeavors and consultation.
Engage with conversations. When meeting and having conversations with employees, you want to be engaged in the conversation and make sure you are attentive while the employer is speaking. This is important because proving to the employers that you’re engaged and focused on the conversation will show your genuine interest in the company and its opportunities. Another key aspect to remember when engaging with employers is to have a positive attitude and mindset. Holding a positive attitude will improve your confidence and strengthen your professional presence. Remember not to bad-mouth former coworkers or employers when networking, as that shows a lack of respect and reflects on you negatively.
Follow-up via LinkedIn and email. After networking, it’s very important to follow up with those connections. Whether that’s by connecting with them on LinkedIn, or sending them a follow-up email, it is crucial to follow up with employers because it shows your interest in their work and them as a person. When sending a follow-up email, it is impressive when you talk about something specific that you and that employer discussed. In doing so, the employer will be more likely to remember who you are and the conversation you held.
Researching companies and employers ahead of time and focusing on building strong connections are two vital networking skills that will greatly benefit your success. When paired with engaging conversations, active listening, and sending follow-ups communications, you will have a recipe for absolute success while building your professional network.
— CCA Ashlyn
