Networking – Specifically for students

What is Networking

Process of establishing, cultivating, and maintaining contacts with individuals for current or future mutual interests and benefits is called networking.  It is the process of making connections and building relationships.

Why is Networking needed

These connections can provide you with advice and contacts, which can help you make informed career decisions. Networking can even help you find unadvertised jobs/internships.

Networking can take place in a group or one-on-one setting:

• To learn
• To share/gain business knowledge
• To share/gain technical knowledge
• To share/gain professional knowledge
• To be resourceful
• For job prospecting
• For job preparation

How to do Networking

Starting networking is a methodical and step by step process of identifying contacts and creating and maintaining rapport with them.

• Brainstorm to think about who your connections are and who they might know
• Write down the names of people already in your network.
• Consider people you know from:
  • University professors and staff members
  • Relatives
  • Parents’ friends
  • Classmates and club/organization members
  • Recent alumni
• After creating your list of your current contacts, you can start thinking about who these people can connect you with
• Identify dynamic, knowledgeable family members relevant to your industry
• Ensure to meet and greet them at every opportunity
• Ensure they know:
  • who you are
  • which field you are in
  • what are your future plans
• Do approach some occasionally for guidance on:
  • which fields to select and which subjects to focus etc.
  • which departments to try for coop/internship
  • what are organization look for in coops and interns

At school/college/university

• Identify dynamic and knowledgeable senior students
• Ensure to meet and greet them at every opportunity
• Ensure they know:
  • who you are
  • which department/field you are in
  • what are your future plans
• Do approach them occasionally for guidance on:
  • which fields to select and which subjects to focus etc.
  • which departments to try for coop/internship
  • what are organization look for in coops and interns
  • Ak them about their future plans
• Ensure to know where they work after graduating
• Maintain your contact with them occasionally
• Talk to them or meet them at least once in 3-6 months

Within family

• Identify dynamic, knowledgeable family members relevant to your industry
• Ensure to meet and greet them at every opportunity
• Ensure they know:
  • who you are
  • which field you are in
  • what are your future plans
• Do approach some occasionally for guidance on:
  • which fields to select and which subjects to focus etc.
  • which departments to try for coop/internship
  • what are organization look for in coops and interns

Alumni

• Find out where graduates from your university work
• Try to establish your contact with them
• Ensure they know:
  • who you are
  • which field you are in
  • what are your future plans
• Try to ask for a brief meeting for guidance and to learn:
  • which fields to select and which subjects to focus etc.
  • which departments to try for coop/internship
  • what are organization look for in coops and interns
• Maintain your contact with them occasionally
• Talk to them or meet them at least once in 3-6 months

Industry

• Create a list of better organizations relevant to your area of intertest
• Create a list of professionals relevant to your area of interest, in each of above organizations
• Find position and contact information of each of above professionals
• Try to establish your contact with them
• Ensure they know:
  • who you are
  • which field you are in
  • what are your future plans
• Try to ask for a brief meeting for guidance and to learn:
  • which fields to select and which subjects to focus etc.
  • which departments to try for coop/internship
  • what are organization look for in coops and interns
• Maintain your contact with them occasionally
• Talk to them or meet them at least once in 3-6 months

Professional Associations

• Find out various professional associations relevant to your area of study
• Try to get their membership
• Try to attend their meetings
• Try to periodically review their publications
• Try to establish your contact with key and dynamic members
• Ensure they know:
  • who you are
  • which field you are in
  • what are your future plans
• Try to ask for a brief meeting for guidance
  • which fields to select and which subjects to focus etc.
  • which departments to try for coop/internship
  • what are organization look for in coops and interns
• Maintain your contact with them occasionally
• Talk to them or meet them at least once in 3-6 months

Approaching people for networking can be intimidating, particularly those you don’t know.  But if done correctly can be very rewarding. 

Dos and DONTs of Networking

Once must though consider some Dos and Don’ts for networking:

DOs:

• Prepare conversation starters
• Find valid, non-networking, excuses to initiate conversations to people you already know, such as family and friends, and seniors at school
• Prepare your objectives to describe purpose of your call/meeting for those you don’t know in advance
• Keep a pleasant face and introduce yourself.
• Smile when introducing yourself – Put your best foot forward
• “Elevator Pitch” – Be quick, concise, and accurate when describing your business. Ensure you engage your listener from the get-go and make it memorable.
• Prepare ice breakers – Don’t dive directly into questions about your business—or someone else’s. Instead, ask what someone thought of the presentation just given (or the panel discussion, reading, etc. or some other common topic or current event, other than politics and religion). People generally like being asked their opinion and will usually feel very easy about sharing. When you share your opinion, keep it positive or at least neutral—steer clear of being overly negative, because you don’t know how this person is or isn’t connected to the speaker. If you’re at a luncheon or dinner, you can ask about the food (for example: “Excuse me, do you know if tea is available?”. You can also ask a question, such as “Is that the iPhone 7? How do you like it?”)
• Prepare conversation closers
• Be genuine, polite, and considerate – It’s best to speak honestly and truthfully about your work, your aspirations, what you want from your current job and the profession generally. Before you come to an event make sure that information about you online and across social media is up-to-date and accurate, including photos. Part of being authentic is making sure public information about you is current and in-sync, and that includes your photos, resume and recommendations.
• Let them talk – When you’re engaged in networking conversations you never want to dominate. The tried-and-true rule is to listen 80 percent of the time, ask questions 10 percent and share your own opinion 10 percent. People are often most interested in hearing what they have to say and once they get a chance to do that, are more likely to focus and really hear what you have to say
• Be authentic
• Listen attentively – A good way to wind down a personal conversation is to steer toward business. Questions such as “What attracted you to this industry/field?” “How many subject/locations do you have?” or “I like your shirt/logo design, where did you buy it from/get the idea for it?” When you feel it’s time to move on, make sure to close out the conversation properly, don’t just leave. Exchange business cards or LinkedIn profiles and say something like “Great meeting you. You’ve got an interesting business, maybe I’ll see you next month.”
• Offer whatever you can too – Your help me I help you – You cannot expect to get something without offering anything in return. Offer free help, favors, advice, or reduced cost services.
• Follow up –     Business cards – Make sure you have more than enough with you as they are a great way to exchange details, as well as allowing you a way of reconnecting the following day. One great little tip is to jot on the back of your card the time and place you met, so your new business contact remembers
• Patience is a virtue – Networking is developing strong, long-standing business relationships. Don’t expect to reap the rewards immediately. Good things come to those who wait
• Watch for and respect ques for finishing

DON’Ts

• Keep phone on silent and in the pocket
• Don’t use extreme adjectives in conversation or describing yourself
• Avoid overzealous self-promotion – this tactic is more likely to annoy than build valuable relationships
• At networking events or meetings don’t be timid – and only talk to people you already know Networking isn’t just for the flamboyant big-shots or charismatic colleagues
• Don’t only speak to one person – The more the better.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions – Everyone fears appearing ignorant or stupid but there’s no need. Most people will relish the opportunity to peacock their knowledge and expertise, so make sure you ask as many questions as you can
• Don’t forget to follow up – this is so important, we’re saying it twice
• Don’t overkill

When to start doing Networking

When done correctly networking can help one improve their self-confidence, gain knowledge, gain access to new opportunities, and enjoy good social circle as well.  It is something that helps at every stage of life.  Weather one is at school, college, university, doing a job or running a business, Networking is needed and works at every stage.  So the earlier one starts networking better it is.

Start now!

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Babar Saeed

bsaeed@yahoo.com

September 04, 2022