Networking is essential when it comes to finding opportunities. It doesn’t have to be a new job opportunity, but a great way to even build your book of business. Regardless of whether you are networking in person or online, it’s essential to be prepared.
First Time’s the Charm
For in-person networking, practice your introduction at home, and be sure to pronounce your name clearly so others will not mishear it. “Hi, my name is John Smith – I’m a paralegal at Greg & Greg Law Firm.” Be sure to not rush through it, imagine that you only have one chance to introduce yourself. Having a business card readily available is also important as well.
And of course, it’s very important to remember your new connections’ names. Have you ever found yourself having a great conversation with someone, but did not quite get their name memorized? Or perhaps you completely forgot it or misplaced their business card?
The Name Game
A tip to help you memorize names is to associate them with things you can remember. Let’s use the fictional name Audrey Dove. And let’s assume you are a classic Hollywood movie fan. You take the first name Audrey and associate it with the timeless Audrey Hepburn. For Dove, you imagine Dove chocolates. So in your mind, you can visualize Audrey Hepburn eating Dove chocolates. Because of this, you associate this visual with the name, Audrey Dove, making it easier for you to memorize their name. So of course, adjust this method of memorization to whatever works best for you and it will certainly help you remember more names.
Judging a Book by its Cover
Now, it’s absolutely no surprise that first impressions are extremely important! Dress appropriately, you want to dress to impress. You might meet your future employer there – so dress accordingly! And just to be safe, I would recommend bringing an extra change of clothes in the car, just in case you spill a drink on your shirt or rip a seam. It’s not common, but you want to be proactive in these situations.
Body language is everything – exude confidence! Be mindful of your gestures and your posture. Often we can cross our arms in front of ourselves, which can read as stand-offish. This is surely not what you want to be perceived as. So if you have this habit, instead try to have your arms behind your back instead. That way, you appear more open and relaxed than closed off to meeting people.
If you are a recent graduate and feel like a fish out of water, preparation will be your best friend in this scenario. Carry copies of your business card and resume in a sleek portfolio or bag. Make sure you also have a professional looking email address. If your primary email address is still jeffcooldude43@outlook.com – it’s time to create a new one.
Don’t be Afraid of Connecting
Now, regardless if you can attend in-person events or not, online networking is essential. You want to have a strong online presence that is reputable and credits your accomplishments. I highly recommend that you connect with recruiters local to you – even if you’re not actively job searching. You never know when they may connect you with an opportunity. If you are on the hunt for a new job, having a recruiter you can count on will certainly give you an advantage. Be proactive – not reactive.
You want to build and expand your LinkedIn network – so reach out to people. Do NOT fear rejection. Not everyone will accept your request, and that’s okay. As long as your approach is genuine and professional – there is no need to doubt yourself. And of course quality over quantity always. Having the “over 500 connections” call-out on your profile might look neat, but it’s meaningless in the long run if your network is polluted with random connections. You will get there over time, don’t add people for no reason.
As a staffing firm, we are quite big fans of LinkedIn. One of the most powerful spots or real estate on your profile is your headlines. What makes you eye-catching and stand out will go right there. You can put your role and the firm you work at there. You can also put anything else that makes you stand out. Legal Professional, Team Player, Legal Guru, Public Speaker, even a short but impactful quote can be great. You have the ability to truly customize this – so what will make you stand out?
Now, regardless of what your objective for networking is, it’s important to be prepared. I hope you found these in-person and virtual networking preparation tips helpful. Take a step out of your comfort zone and connect with other professionals – your career will benefit from it greatly!