This past week we discussed advice on how to effectively build a network. President Tigerlily Cooley began the presentation discussing how she likes view networking more so as "professional relationship building", because we want you to create and maintain real relationships. But how do you begin the process of networking? Here are some tips!
The Five P's
1. Personal Priorities
To begin the process of professional relationship building, you have to know what you want? What do you want to achieve? What are your goals? If you have an interest try joining clubs and organizations that help you further understand, and eventually achieve, your goals.
2. Pursuit of Passion
Try to learn what you are passionate about! Being confident in your passions will make you stand out and help you fulfill your goals. If you don't know what your passion is, don't worry. Try to new things, take chances, be daring. Ask yourself "If I had to read 500 books on one topic, what would that topic be?"
3. Professional Development
Having many different kinds of people in your network is important and can help you achieve your goals.
- Experts: People with skills who are in a career that you would like to be in one day.
-Posse: People you can go to for advice.
- Regenerative Crowd: Close friends who can keep you going and energized.
- Big-Idea Crowd: People who are different from you who will provide you with new ideas and perspectives.
4. Positive Perspective
Whether it be in an informational meeting or a networking event, your attitude is key. Be positive and remember to smile. When you go to interviews be prepared and have questions planned. Be an active listener and make people feel that you are not talking to them purely for a chance of getting a job. Being confident and kind will take you far.
5. Power of Now
Be present in the world and be aware of what opportunities are in front of you. Take chances and go outside of your comfort zone, it will help you find your way.
So how do you start?
Go to conferences, seek new internships, ask other members of Girl Boss! There are sources everywhere for you to start meeting people.
When you are at a networking event you will want to have a quick and concise way to introduce yourself to people. This is called an Elevator Pitch.
Elevator Pitch
- Name
-Title (Student at Fordham university works!)
- What you do
Extracurriculars
Roles
Major / Area of study
Remember to be confident and know that your pitch will always change and never truly be perfect. Practice is key!
After making connections with people, be sure to follow up! Ask them for an informational interview, remember interesting things about them, keep up with their careers, show them that you are interested in making a relationship with them.
Informational Interview
- Articulate your Elevator Pitch and let them know why you are seeking their expertise.
- Research them, their company, and their industry. Don't ask questions you can answer with a google search!
- Bring a list of questions, a notebook, and your resume.
- Dress in business casual attire.
- Arrive early and turn your phone off.
- Firmly shake their hand when you enter and exit the meeting.
-Offer to buy them a drink.
- Follow up with 24-48 hours thanking them for their time and let them know when you land a position.
Be sure to remember the difference between Sponsors and Mentors! While they both can help you achieve your goals, they will approach this in different ways. It is important to have both of these types of people.
- Sponsors: People who will advocate for you in the workplace as well as give you advice.
- Mentors: People who will give you guidance and advice but won't necessarily advocate for you.
When you approach networking remember to be confident and kind, and once you make connections be sure to effectively maintain those relationships. Networking allows you to meet people who can help you discover new ways to achieve your goals and help you find your way. Click the link below to access this week's PowerPoint presentation!
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1nb9bikVd569brIxNO2NobpelvchDXGZEg6zSX6Ej1I0/edit#slide=id.g437fd2c8fc_2_315
-Gabriella Boresi
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