Don’t approach industry members with a large group
Don’t cut into someone’s conversation but rather find a way to join the conversation
Take the initiative to walk up and say hello – people are there to talk to you
Dress in proper business attire
Avoid strong perfume or cologne (less is better; none is best)
If there is food at the event, do not approach anyone while you are eating
Approach with a greeting and start the conversation with a friendly introduction
Save time and approach the people who you want to target
Be prepared for your conversations – have questions ready that are relevant to the people you are speaking with
Always make sure to find out the proper pronunciation of the individual’s name
Stand with proper posture, have a firm handshake and an inviting smile
Keep phones off or on silent – don’t check your phone during the event
When Building Rapport
Rapport is built by learning about the individual and that requires attentive listening
Be prepared to speak about who you are, your experiences (both at school and outside of school) and what direction you plan to go in once you have finished school
Current events and news may be a great way to get a conversation going, so be sure to research current events in specific industries before the gathering
Learn as much as you can about the industry member and take notes – the notes will be useful for future meetings
If you are in a group setting, make sure to keep the industry professional as a part of the conversation
You can’t build rapport by monopolizing a person’s time
When you talk to an industry member, try to talk about information you feel is relevant to the other individual
Be genuine and sincere – people connect better when they feel someone is being honest
Try to add value to the conversation. To do this, you must listen well! For example, the industry member may mention that they don’t know how to use a certain app – offer advice or help! Offer insights into questions the individual may have.
Always remember networking is a two way relationship!
The Ask: Gaining Value from the Interaction
You can move on to discussing your goal (ie, an interview, etc.) only once you have established rapport, so you should not talk business first
Never ask for a job when you first meet
Never give your resume when you first meet
Feel free to ask for a business card
Try to establish the best way to follow up and perhaps even when to follow up
Don’t get ‘cornered’ – if you feel uncomfortable in a conversation, find a polite way to excuse yourself
When Following Up
Try to follow up on the terms that have been established during the conversation
Start the follow up with a thank you
Wait at least 12 hours to follow up and try to follow up during standard work hours
