Amina

My first networking event in the big girl world was, well, a lot of things.  No one offered me a job, few of the contacts I sent my information to have followed up with me since, and many of my fellow networkers made promises they fully didn’t intend to keep.  Reminiscent of a middle school kickball game, I opted out of the 'pick me pick me' strategy  (despite my 2 hour early arrival) deciding to go with the 'I don’t really care, only because I want you to think that I don’t really care, even though I do really care, because maybe then you’ll care enough to pick me' semblance of a smile.

I had just left my first job and was invited as a favor—you know one of those friend of a friend of a friend of a distant cousin’s brother-in-law kind of things?  I had selected my outfit several days earlier (all of which was entirely lost on the Chicago winter) and gingerly placed the leather portfolio I had received as a graduation gift into an otherwise empty briefcase. Thus I took my place at a nearly empty table hoping to appear important, or, at the very least, competent.  Needless to say, this isn’t another story of overwhelming amateurish success.  I didn’t take the crowd by storm with a strategic interjection covering the premise of my thesis.  No one was blown away by the semester I spent studying in southern Spain (seeing as though the majority of them had made the trek themselves).  I was just another 22 year old hoping to make it in the big leagues… one of four to be exact.  

7.10.TW.2

In fact, it wasn’t until the third speaker of the afternoon made his way to the podium that I even mustered up the confidence to stop pretend writing in the loose-leaf notepad I had brought along as a plus one:

'Who in this room has no professional experience in the industry?'  I sheepishly raised my hand after seeing that a poor soul in the front row had selflessly opened herself up to the initial onset of stares and whispers.

“Thank you for having the courage to show up.”  

Thank you for showing up?

Thank you for showing up.

Thank you for showing up!

Yes, the more I repeated it to myself the better it got, part of which may or may not of have taken place out loud.  Nonetheless, it was in this moment that my perspective on networking was inevitably altered.  Because in that very moment, I realized that even as an inexperienced, twenty something hopeful, I was of use to someone in that room.  From iPhone help to public service in the form of perhaps the most detailed directions to the bathroom anyone has ever received, someone in that very room was going to gain some potential benefit by engaging in a conversation with me. 

The remainder of his presentation, to be perfectly honest, was a complete blur.  And yet, those words have never failed me in the fearless world of networking and ultimately job seeking. Networking is a game of big risks and even bigger gains, so if you’re still standing on the sidelines wondering how 'showing up' can really make that big of a difference, try these tips out at your next young professional social (if you don’t have one on the books already, find one stat!) and put your networking game on the fast track:

1) Lay it all on the line. 

Let’s face it, we’ve all fallen victim to the humble bragger at a party or two.  Word of advice?  Don’t be that person!  Be upfront and honest about where you are in your career, what you’re looking for, and what advice you’re seeking.  At the end of the day, people respond to people, that and no one wants play the role of the human ATM. Always remember, the end goal of a networking event isn’t a job it’s the network, the people, the connections.  And as is true with any relationship—honesty is always a good place to start.

2) Check your shame at the door.

As a recent graduate it’s easy to devalue your potential in the work place.  You’ve got minimal experience under your belt and you’re still attempting to balance a 9 to 5 with Trivia Thursdays at the local Bar and Grille.  But hey, you’ve got to start somewhere.  You may not have all of the answers but your early career is about proving that you have the capacity to find them.  At my first networking event, I was unemployed and instead of a business card, I figured I’d write down my information on small pieces of loose-leaf paper (that is, if anyone was interested enough to ask). Well, they did, again and again and again. Not because I was overly qualified but because networking is about selling your brand just as much as it is about buying into someone else’s.

3) Market your knowledge not your a$$ets.

Sure, Gatsby’s got it good…that is, until the end of the book (no, not the film the book)!  At any given networking event you’ve got, at best, 5 minutes to win over your audience.  So fill in that space with solid conversation.  Market your experience.  Yes, experiences outside of work matter too!  Networking is all about the continuous flow of knowledge so focus on making your knowledge indispensable to someone else’s brand in the least amount of time possible, a kind of speed dating for the business savvy. Instead of leading off with 'are you hiring?' (trust me there’s no coy way to slip that into a conversation) be the chick on everyone’s call back list because you’re into world traveling, trying out the latest trendy restaurants, and just completed your third marathon on the road to self discovery.

4) Count your success in cards not offers.

Throughout my college experience, most networking events, which come to think if it were really just alumni reunions, were characterized as a kind of job exchange.  I tell you what I study, you offer me a job.  After even just a short period of time in the work force, I have come to realize that many of my superiors both inside and outside of my industry use networking quite regularly as a tool to expand and reinforce the success of their businesses.  In fact, networking is just as beneficial for individuals who have jobs as it is for those knee deep in the job search.  And why not?  Every business card you receive is an opportunity to expand your network the size of an entire company. That’s like 100 connections on your LinkedIn page…okay, or 90 new likes for your shameless Facebook posts.  However you spin it, it’s a win with or without the offer.  In short, treat those cards kindly. Find a safe place to store them such as a business card book (I got mine from CVS) or a desk drawer.  Follow up with connections immediately following the event and every three months throughout the year to keep your connections up and running! 

Smart Tip:  Try writing descriptions of the people you meet or quotes from your conversations on each corresponding business card. A follow up email is to be expected, but a personalized message can go a long way!  Show that you value the person just as much as their business.

Yes, networking, just like any other new experience, can take some getting used to. But just like any playground, there’s always another recess to be had. And while the kid who shows up everyday may not always be first choice, she’s got a far better chance of making the cut than the kid who takes herself out of the mix altogether.  So if and when you decide to 'show up,' do me a favor?  Be the one in the room who isn’t afraid to lose…I’d love to have someone like that on my team!

 

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