Five Notes on Networking

Networking. It’s a buzz word for students and professionals alike. It’s a word that gets thrown around in college classrooms, career centers, coffee shops and conference rooms. It’s inescapable, but it’s important and necessary. So what exactly is it? How do you actually apply it to real life? Read on to see my top five notes on the ever-present topic of networking.

1. It’s about meeting people. Plain and simple. You can’t meet people if you don’t seek them out, though; you have to put yourself in a position to make these connections. Register for that event. Send that message. Don’t be afraid to go somewhere alone and challenge yourself to meet people in a new setting.

2. It’s not enough to just show up. You actually have to talk to people once you’re there. The easiest way to start is by giving someone a compliment. If you’re familiar with their work or have a mutual connection of some kind, start there. But even if you know nothing about them, start with something superficial, like their style–you never know who you might meet!

3. It’s equally important to be a good listener and a good conversationalist. Listen well to what they have to say; it will help you find topics on which to continue building the conversation. When you’re the one talking, be curious and engaging. Ask them questions about themselves and their work and display a genuine interest in wanting to know the answers.

TIP: Think about taking an improv class. Improv is all about responding in the moment. It’s a fun and engaging way to learn some of the most important skills of networking.

4. It’s crucial to follow up. If you take someone’s number or email, be sure to circle back with a “nice to meet you” message and acknowledge your interaction. Send them a LinkedIn request with a personal message referencing something about when you met (as a reminder of who you are!) and pursue the connection further.

5. It’s your turn to invite them. This one applies to friendships, too! Don’t always be the person who gets invited; you need to do some inviting of your own. The invitation doesn’t have to be something big. It could be as simple as taking a walk after work, going out for a coffee or grabbing a bite to eat–just reach out and let someone know that you can initiate things as well!

The people you keep around you are a reflection of yourself and your values, so get out there and meet and connect with awesome people that bring out the best qualities in you.

The success of the GlamourGals program is built on several networks, especially our network of volunteer supporters. To find out how you can join the GlamourGals network, check out our upcoming opportunities to get involved at https://www.glamourgals.org/ggevents.