Career Corner: Networking tips that every college student should follow
Pat Brown
Issue date: 2/24/10 Section: News
In today's society the ability to network can go a long way. Networking can give you the edge over other candidates when entering into the job market. If you want to improve your networking abilities and make the most of your time then simply follow the four steps below and watch your network build.
Create a Personal Pitch: When networking you should always begin with a simple pitch that explains the who, what, when, where, and why of your personal career. This pitch should be about the time it takes to ride in an elevator; no more than a sentence or two. Everyone should have their own personal pitch available at all times to describe themselves.
Follow the Rule of 80/20: The key to building strong relationships in a short period of time is conversation skills. When meeting someone for the first time you want them to feel important and honored by managing your conversation. In doing so try to allow them to speak for eighty percent of the time and listen, then you may speak the other twenty percent. This will show that you are engaged and attentive to what they have to say, thus gaining a mutual respect.
Remember Names: When meeting someone make it a point to remember their name. The next time you meet they will be impressed if you address them by name and thus improve your relationship. Also this builds your memory skills which can be important as well.
Ask Open-ended Questions: Asking questions will allow you to follow the 80/20 rule and also learn from the other person. From this you will gain more knowledge of the other person's interests or profession and thus gain some second hand experience.
The ability to network through face-to-face interactions is now being carried over into the innovative use of technology. Social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook are opening up new possibilities when it comes to branching out to the rest of the world. Yet this new-aged networking technique must coincide with the traditional approach to job searching and meeting new references in order to be effective. Here are some quick dos and don'ts when using these social networking sites:
Create a Personal Pitch: When networking you should always begin with a simple pitch that explains the who, what, when, where, and why of your personal career. This pitch should be about the time it takes to ride in an elevator; no more than a sentence or two. Everyone should have their own personal pitch available at all times to describe themselves.
Follow the Rule of 80/20: The key to building strong relationships in a short period of time is conversation skills. When meeting someone for the first time you want them to feel important and honored by managing your conversation. In doing so try to allow them to speak for eighty percent of the time and listen, then you may speak the other twenty percent. This will show that you are engaged and attentive to what they have to say, thus gaining a mutual respect.
Remember Names: When meeting someone make it a point to remember their name. The next time you meet they will be impressed if you address them by name and thus improve your relationship. Also this builds your memory skills which can be important as well.
Ask Open-ended Questions: Asking questions will allow you to follow the 80/20 rule and also learn from the other person. From this you will gain more knowledge of the other person's interests or profession and thus gain some second hand experience.
The ability to network through face-to-face interactions is now being carried over into the innovative use of technology. Social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook are opening up new possibilities when it comes to branching out to the rest of the world. Yet this new-aged networking technique must coincide with the traditional approach to job searching and meeting new references in order to be effective. Here are some quick dos and don'ts when using these social networking sites:
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