The 2014 Connections Events are happening this week (San Francisco and Chicago) and next week (Washington DC, New York and Boston). These events happen every other year, so the next one will be in 2016 and for half of you that means this is your last chance to attend as a current student. (Need to register? Do that here!)
You should go! There is something for everyone. Networking is not about begging people for a job or internship. In fact, that style of networking is counter-productive. Instead, successful networking is about building some professional relationships that will strengthen your network. The opportunities will fall in to place later.
Here are some tips for successful networking. We have an “official” guide on this topic, too, which may be of handy reference.
-Explore/Discover: Interview people about what they are doing, how they like it, and how they got there. Listen to the different stories and paths people have taken. Ask them if they have advice for you as a student. Is there anything they regret doing (or not doing) as a student… or if there is something they are happy they did when they were at Bowdoin. Create a list of questions. Ask everyone the same questions.
-Find a mentor: For those beyond the exploration stage of career development who have determined a target industry, company or job that they want to jump in to after graduation, find someone to look up to and seek advice. Ask similar questions to the ones above, but also focus on how they find success in the workplace. Exchange contact information, ask if they are willing to review your resume, introduce you to colleagues or periodically contact to continue the conversation.
-Learn about lifestyle: Your job won’t be your life. In fact, believe it or not there are going to be large chunks of time when you are not working. Scientists have started calling this phenomenon one’s “personal life”. Ask people how they like the city. Where is their work located? How do they get there? What neighborhood are they in? Do they like it? What do they do for fun? These are all things that will help you envision your own lifestyle in that city, or with a particular company.
-Listen: The golden rule in networking, as a job seeker, is to be an active listener. When you talk, you give information. The best way to receive information is to listen. Obviously, you should respond to questions and talk about yourself naturally in the course of a conversation, but don’t dominate the conversation. Actively listen and respond to what someone is saying. Not only will you absorb more information this way, the person will feel a positive connection to you. It is remarkable how often I will see two people talking at each other with neither party absorbing anything the other is saying. Avoid the “pull string” effect where you essentially have boiler plate responses to everything. Be genuine.
-Work the room: Speaking of dominating a conversation, don’t dominate someone’s time! Have a good sense of when a conversation has run its course and move on. Everyone is there to meet multiple people. It is perfectly acceptable to excuse yourself from a conversation, or in a lull shake hands, thank them for their time, and move on.
Most importantly: relax. Attend these events with an open mind, intending only to go in to the room to meet people and talk. You will be surprised with the positive experience that ensues. If you go in to the room expecting job/internship offers, or to even find someone currently hiring, you will likely find the results disappointing.
A networking reception is not a job fair.
Best of luck! I’ll see you in Boston and New York. If you are in San Francisco, Chicago, or DC check in with Todd, he’ll be representing the Career Planning Center.