If youre interested in a career in business, youll need to learn more than economics, marketing, and management techniques you need to learn how to network. What is business networking? Its simply making connections that can nurture your career, and theres an art form to it. Whether you end up meeting a possible hiring manager or an entrepreneurial partner, every connection you make holds possibility.
Some people are natural networkers, but for others, its an acquired skill. The good news is the more you do it, the easier it gets and if youre driven to succeed in business, youll be doing a lot of it.
Weve compiled some best practices and networking tips for students, so you know what to do andequally importantwhat not to do. Use this primer of business networking dos and donts to get ready to put yourself out there.
DO: Start Early
Its never too soon to start networking. Even on your first day of your first year of business school, start building relationships at every opportunity. Look for like-minded peers and foster relationships. Accept every opportunity to meet with people in your chosen profession. Put out the word to friends and family, create student groups, and get to know your professors.
As you prepare for networking, you should start by building your personal brand. Think about what sets you apart and what you have to offer, be it a special skill, a cultural perspective, or just a great idea. Practice your elevator pitch, or a 30-second speech for selling yourself and your qualifications for a particular job or opportunity.
DONT: Only Network With Higher-Ups
Good networkers know how to play the long game. Not every person you meet is a job offer waiting to happen yet. You want to build connections that will benefit you throughout your career, and often that comes from creating relationships that may not have an immediate professional payoff.
That classmate might be the next big disrupter with a hot tech property or become an SVP of a big brand. Find people you respect now, and stay in touch for later.
DO: Create a LinkedIn Profile
Make it a priority to get your LinkedIn profile up and running. LinkedIn is the professional network, and youll be expected to have a presence. Its not just pervasively used by recruiters seeking talent, but its also a turnkey tool for job hunting and building out a wider network.
For a crash course in getting your LinkedIn going, we have a whole post on LinkedIn profile tips.
DONT: Be a Stalker
People need professional space in the same way they need personal space. When you follow up (and you should), do it through contact information youve been given directly, or find the person on LinkedIn. If youre looking for points of common interest, you can take a peek at someones other social media, but dont make it weird. Bringing up someones kids or commenting on their vacation destinations can be intrusive and off-putting.
DO: Request an Introduction
Know somebody who knows somebody? Dont be shy about asking for an introduction. Connections in common are great professional capital use them!
Networking through your existing personal network can get you access you wouldnt have on your own, and being vouched for is a priceless shortcut to making a great first impression. Remember to thank whoever does the introducing.
DONT: Get Too Personal
Avoid a common error many people make in professional conversations: dont get too personal or overshare. When you network, remember this is a professional relationship youre pursuing. Even if you really hit it off with someone, dont let the conversation get too familiar. This doesnt mean you cant make small talk about the weather or share an anecdote about a recent trip. Just use your instincts in conversation and observe personal space.
DO: Be an Active Listener
A good rule of thumb the first time you meet someone is to listen more than you speak. Not only does this demonstrate courtesy, but you learn more about a potential connection. Yes, youll want to sell yourself and present your pitch, but make sure thats all couched in two-way conversation.
Practice being present when youre talking to someone new. And if youre not good with names or faces, teach yourself how to use memory techniques like mnemonic devices. People are flattered when you remember them, and often turned off when you dont.
DONT: Be a Stranger
When someone becomes successful, lapsed friends and colleagues tend to come out of the woodwork. People notice if they only hear from you when you want something, or when their ship has come in. Dont be a fair-weather friend; make sure to keep in loose touch not just when theres something you need, but also when you have something to offer, even if thats just a no-strings-attached congratulations on someones promotion or achievement.
DO: Network Everywhere
Yes, you should attend networking events, but elbows can be rubbed in almost any setting. In fact, making a connection outside of an event may help you stand out from the sea of hand-shakers at an organized meet-and-greet.
So next time youre on a cross-country flight or waiting at the DMV, strike up a conversation. You never know who might be sitting right next to you. And even if its not a professional connection, its great practice for your people skills.
DONT: Get Discouraged
We mentioned networking is a long game, and it sometimes requires patience. Its also, to some degree, about volume. Meet as many people as often as you reasonably can. If you havent seen practical returns on all your networking efforts yet, hang in there. Keep at it, and keep in touch with those youve met so far. Someone you met a year ago might pop up in your inbox tomorrow, or someone you meet next week might be an instant click.
DO: Pay It Forward
If youve been offered opportunities by others, make sure you do the same when youre in the position to do so. This applies even before youre established; for example, lets say one of your connections has an opportunity youre not quite right for, but you know someone who is. Help them bot out with a referral. People in business have long memories for favors, and a reputation as a generous colleague will pay for itself.
DONT: Lie About Your Background
Play up your experience, but dont make up your experience. This is for your own good. As you start to network over time, your connections will begin to overlap. If you have been lying or exaggerating about past jobs or education, eventually youll get caught. Someone will know someone who worked at the same company or went to the same school, and youll be left with a broken connection and a damaged reputation.
DO: Follow Up
When a networking opportunity leads to an exchange of contact information, consider it an invitation to follow up. A follow-up is often expected, so dont squander the opening. Reach out within a few days to reconnect and continue the conversation. Remember to keep your outreach friendly, brief, and reference what you discussed when you first met.
Now Get Yourself Out There!
The biggest DO in networking is, well, doing it. Now that you have your etiquette down, start making those connections. Use every channel available, from LinkedIn to networking events to Friendsgiving dinner. Be brave, be bold, stand out. And stick with it!
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.
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