Do you find yourself standing awkwardly at networking events asking yourself “HOW do I network effectively?” It may feel like everyone around you got a memo that you missed.
Here at Resource, we know networking can be intimidating. That’s why we started our networking seminar, where clients can come and learn about how and why we network. Here are the top 5 tips we recommend when networking:
Remember that no one knows what they’re doing
- It’s easy to get caught up in the feeling that you’re the only one who doesn’t know how to network. But here’s the secret: there is no one way to network! So, face your fears and say hi to someone new. You never know who they might know!
Focus on building relationships
- When introducing yourself, keep in mind you are not asking people for a job, even when that’s what you really want. You may be hoping they know someone who can help you in your search, but it is always first and foremost a conversation! Remember to keep an open mind and to be curious.
Always be ready with your elevator pitch
- First impressions matter, and so does keeping people’s attention. By having a well-practiced elevator pitch, you can make sure you get the important information out so that the people you talk to know exactly what you want them to know about you.
Make sure to follow up on an introduction
- The people you talk to may forget to reach out if you don’t
Keep in mind that up 70% of jobs are found through networking, so it’s important to practice ... If you want to get some more practice networking and writing your elevator pitch, reach out to us and get signed up for our next networking seminar!