How to Start Networking During and After University

Meeting new people is usually a scary thing for most people… but what if the new people you’re meeting have the potential to make or break the momentum of your entire career? No pressure, right? Okay, maybe it’s not that intense, but it’s food for thought. 

What is Networking?

Networking at its core is just the people you know, and what they know about you. Word of mouth is one of the best forms of advertisement, same goes for advertising yourself. We form relationships throughout our entire lives, so if you’re interested in networking- good news, you’ve already been doing it. 

We have some sort of relationship with every single person we’ve encountered. This could be the girl you see in the hall every morning, even if you’ve never spoken, you still technically have a relationship. Say you see her carrying a water bottle and a yoga mat, some assumptions can be made about her. It’s likely she’s noticed things about you, and has also made her own assumptions. It’s important to be mindful of how these micro-relationships can add up over time and contribute to your overall reputation. 

Getting Started

Beyond that, we get to the real work- getting your name out there and shaking some hands. This part can be so awkward at the beginning, but once you get a little practice it will be second nature to you. This can happen anywhere in class, in public, parties, networking events, like really, wherever people are. Don’t feel like you have to approach people out of the blue and shake their hand and introduce yourself, in the wrong setting, you could come across too forward and it won’t make a very good impression. 

A generally good way to meet new people is through people you already know. They can introduce you (this is a great way to practice your handshake) and if the conversation goes astray, they can jump in to keep it going. Be strategic about the person you’re going with and the place they’re taking you to. Consider the people they surround themselves with and ask yourself if these types of people align with whatever your goals for networking are. And if you don’t know, it’s still worth going because you always need to know how to handle yourself in unique situations. 

Building Your Network from the Ground Up

Now this is how to get started from scratch. Say you moved cities, started at a new school or job, or you need a job in a new area, you need to start networking ASAP. Before you jump right in, start online. There are so many local online groups that could give you a little insight on what’s going on around you. This is a great way to find out about local events that could be the perfect grounds for networking. Another great online resource is a local chamber of commerce website. Most cities should have one, and this is one of the best ways to meet professionals in your area. Give them a call and let them know about your situation and your goals, or check their calendar for events open to the public. 

Networking at actual networking events is probably the next least awkward thing, next to having a mutual friend. The whole point is to meet someone new. It will be totally expected for you to jet your hand out in front of someone and say hello! Don’t forget your manners though, be sure to not interrupt conversations and don’t be too overbearing in your approach. Oftentimes, there will be people sitting alone, these are other’s who likely don’t know anybody. Walk up, say hello, introduce yourself and be prepared to answer a few questions. They may ask things like:

• What do you do for a living?
• Are you local to the area? 
• Have you been to this event before?
• Would you tell me a little bit about yourself?

It’s that last question you need to have prepared. Seems easy enough, but you need a clear and concise elevator pitch that only shares what people need to know about you right off the bat. You don’t want to be caught going into way too much detail about some hobby you really like or about how your pets are your “fur babies”. People don’t need to know these details right off the bat, in fact, they probably don’t want to know. 

A good elevator pitch should include your name, where you live (maybe also where you’re from), your profession (or major), and your goal for being at said event. Here’s an example

“I’m Sally Field, I live here locally and attend XYZ University. I’m majoring in marketing and my goal is to one day work in social media marketing. I’m looking to meet new people in a similar career field and learn more about the profession.”

In some cases, more personal details are fine, such as if you have a spouse/ children or maybe how many pets you have, but no more detail than that. Nobody cares that you have a 5 year old named Timmy who just started school or how cute he looked on the first day. 

Don’t Forget Your Manners

When it comes to approaching a group of people talking, always be sure to read the situation. If people are apparently having some sort of emotional, or intense conversation, it would be best to steer clear. It’s just not a situation you should insert yourself in, doing so will appear rude and tactless. Rather, seek out friendly faces who are just having casual conversation. It can be intimidating to chirp in, and you don’t always have to. Approach the group, hope someone notices you, give a smile and hello and attentively listen to whoever is speaking. It really all depends on the subject matter how comfortable you feel joining in, or maybe making a little comment to the person next you. Other times, you’ll realize you know nothing about the conversation and it may be best to quietly slip out of the group. Say you stay in the group though- you’ve been an active listener even if you haven’t spoken up- the group disperses- THIS is the time where you choose a person to introduce yourself to. Patience is a virtue and it’s best to not rush or force relationships. 

It’s Go Time

So, when’s the best time to start networking? The time is now! Do a little online research, join some online groups, put your game face on and make a plan. Happy mingling!