Networking Tips

Think positively.

Large events such as career fairs or networking dinners can often be intimidating or seem highly competitive, but going with a positive attitude can make a major impact. Avoid thinking about how many other people in your situation will be there, and focus more on what you are bringing to the event. If you attend an event with the mindset that you are a capable and intelligent person who has something to offer, you will be starting off on the right foot.

Know how to steer a conversation.

Everyone wants to avoid awkward silences or inappropriate conversations, so it’s best to keep these rules in mind when attending a networking event.

• Ask someone about themselves; people enjoy talking about themselves, so it’s a good starting point for a conversation.
• Ask about the organization that they work for; people are flattered by sincere interest and will often reciprocate if you seem genuine.
• Pay attention to the conversation and search for shared backgrounds or interests.

The best introductions are unambiguous and smooth. Also, keep your introduction short; no longer than 10 seconds.

Example: Hi, my name is Jane Smith. I’m a finance major and I’m interested in learning about how I would fit in at your organization.

Accept rejection as part of the process and move on.

Unfortunately, rejection is part of networking. It is inevitable, so when it happens, don’t take it personally. Instead, use rejections as ways to learn how to better market yourself to potential employers and think about what you could do differently. It is also good to keep in mind that you may not need to change anything at all; just use it as a learning experience. Another very important part of rejection is to be gracious and polite; you never know when you will have to interact with that person or organization again.

SOURCE: UC Berkeley Career Website