3 Hacks to Build Your Professional Network Before Graduation
New year, new network. If you’re like most students, outside of the basics like interning and joining student organizations, there’s just not enough time to dedicate to developing the networking craft. You might have jobs, friends, class, and that new Netflix show all pulling at you for your attention. Maybe you even know that you should spend more time meeting new people in our industry and building beneficial relationships, but you’re too busy; thinking about life after graduation can be a luxury.
But with more qualified candidates looking to enter the workforce each semester, time spent networking could be the difference between finding the work you’re most passionate about or settling for what’s available. To help you build the relationships that get you that desired future position, I’ve put together three networking hacks that will work with your busy schedule.
1. Become an Internet Sleuth
Social media can be your gateway to a professional opportunity. You can start with LinkedIn; according to a Statista report, there are more than 106 million active users on the platform. You can find an industry influencer in your area easily.
But instead of reaching out right away, you must first research their passions and areas of expertise. Start by asking yourself the following:
- Do they have a blog or a personal website?
- What organizations are they part of?
- What’s the last article they shared?
The questions below could help focus your networking efforts and start a meaningful conversation.
2. Network Wherever You Are
An article by the Wall Street Journal states 80% of all available jobs aren’t listed publicly. It’s more likely that your post-graduation gig will come from the occasional random stranger or friend-of-a-friend who knows someone in your field before it comes from a blindly filled-out online job posting.
Because of your schedule, you may not always find yourself at an industry luncheon or internship fair. So it’s essential to network with those from many industries when given the opportunity, like a football tailgate. Be prepared for these interactions. They come quickly and without notice.
3. Win Every Conversation
The art of conversation can take you far places. When amid a networking event, you should make it a goal to make a great first impression with as many individuals as possible. This tip is often overlooked by most — or over-analyzed. Here’s a few tips on how to be memorable as you are working the room:
- Give compliments—these encourage conversation.
- Be inclusive: if you’re standing in a circle of people, take notice if someone is trying to join in. Then take a half-step backward to open the ring up.
- Prepare a seven-to-nine-second introduction about yourself.
- Learn these four little magic words: “And how about you?”
- When in doubt, talk about food.
No matter what, though, don’t force it. Be yourself; be genuine.
4. Play the Student Card to Employers
Remember this: you’re a student, which means that when you’re reaching out, it’s not necessarily for a job, but to learn and gain first-hand experience. This reality makes you automatically more approachable to companies, top executives, and professors than anyone that graduated six months ago and is still frantically job hunting.
Play the student card to your advantage. Ask for an informational interview or spend a day in the office — or telecommuting — to shadow the person who has your dream job.
The truth is a day, week, or month can be more comfortable for a company to accommodate than a semester-long internship. You can also take advantage of days that you have off that companies may not receive, such as:
- Long weekends
- MLK Day
- Presidents’ Day
- Spring Break
- Summer break
These next-level hacks can give you the advantage you seek during the job hunt when paired with the networking basics. It’s also a good measure to ask for business cards or LinkedIn connections and follow-up with your contact monthly.
Cheers to your job hunt. If you land that big gig with these tips, let me know!
Sources:
Take Your Search for a Job Offline (2013) by Dennis Nishi (Article)
19 Tips To Impress Literally Everyone You Meet (2014) by Carolyn Kylstra (Article)
Take Your Search for a Job Offline (2013) by Dennis Nishi (Article)