Networking 101

>> Networking could be a daunting task. Putting yourself out there, meeting new people -- it can be scary. But when it comes to your career, it's essential to your success. [ Music ] Let's first start with the purpose of networking. Even though the end goal is for us to improve our own opportunities, you can't approach it like that. The most successful networkers meet someone and say, "What can I do for that person?" Not "What can that person do for me?" >> I think it affords you great opportunity to learn about other people, other businesses, other industries. And networking doesn't have to be strictly about job searching; it could be really about just building relationships. I think people unfortunately think of networking as, "I need to meet new people and they're going to find me a new job." There's so much more to it than just finding that new job. >> The worst thing you can do is go into a networking event completely blind. If there's an attendee list, you want to do a little research. See who's going to be there. What is their business? Who might you want to talk to? >> If you know you're going to a networking event and you have an idea of who's going to be there, see if you can do some homework on that. You may want to Google them. Do some homework. See if there's any information that's provided by the event organizer so that you're not walking in cold. >> Also, you want to stay up to date on current events. You want to make sure you have some talking points ready when the conversation starts. During the event, you want to have some preset goals. Whether you meet three people or 20 people, having goals will keep you focused. >> My goal for people in the room is not to leave with a stack of business cards, but to have five or maybe six conversations that are deep and meaningful and to do something powerful with them after the fact. So the quick, you know, meet and greet is just a start. >> I think that if you're going to a networking session, you should already have a goal in mind. "My goal is I want to find out about opportunities that I could get in my major," or "I'm just exploring careers; I want to talk to people about what they do, what they like about work, because I'm just in the early exploration stage." >> Don't monopolize the conversation, and don't come on too strong. Even though it's tempting to brag about yourself and all that you've accomplished, remember that the most successful networkers focus on what they can do for the people they meet, not what those people can do for them. >> When you network with people, making sure that you're looking out for them, however that might be, as much as you may want them to look out for you. So, kind of the -- when you exchange business cards, maybe you exchange, "Hey, can I have two of yours in case I want to give yours out to somebody else?" Things like that. So, making sure that you sort of give as much as you get. >> Here's a tip: you want to make sure you always keep one hand free, because you never know when you're going to have to greet someone with a handshake. Oopsies! [ Music ] The most effective networkers know that the real work begins when they get home. After the event, jot down some notes about who you talked to and what was discussed. The back of the business card is a great place to do that. Promptly reach out within a few days, saying it was nice to meet them and that you'd like to discuss ways that you might work together moving forward. >> Personal touch, the human touch, emotional intelligence is, I would say, more important than it ever has been and that's why networking is so important. You really have to figure out how to meet folks, not just through LinkedIn. That's important too, but you have to get out there and get into the fray and get in front of people, face-time, up, close and personal. That's very important. >> Keep an open mind, and don't write anyone off as irrelevant. One of the most exciting things about networking is you never know who you might meet and what wonderful connections might be made. [ Music ]