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Career Networking for the Beginner: What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do

Published: April 13, 2021

Career Networking for the Beginner: What to Do When You Don't Know What to DoCareer coaches have a lot to say to college students about taking the plunge into job fairs and networking events: prepare your resume, dress appropriately, ask thoughtful questions, practice your one-liner elevator speech, and more, much more.

The most memorable networking advice I ever received, however, came not from a career professional, but from my dad. Its simply this: be nice to everyone.

Being nice to everyone gives you something to do when you enter an unfamiliar place to engage with wall-to-wall strangers. It tames your awkward feelings and helps you converse with others, even when a voice deep within tells you to run away from that place like the wind!

In a nutshell, being nice gives you something to do when you dont know what to do, and at a networking event, this is what it looks like:Career Networking for the Beginner: What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do

  • Establishing eye contact and smiling at the person who hands you your nametag and everyone else you encounter thereafter.
  • Making your first partner in conversation feel like the most important person in the room. Once youve succeeded at that, go ahead and do the same in your next conversation and the next.
  • Noticing someone whos sitting alone and engaging that person in conversation. Even a comment like, Wow, this is a great turnout, can lead to an introduction and shared information.
  • Staying sensitive to a conversation that has run its course. Moving on with a sincere thanks, it was so good to talk is perfectly fine.
  • Refraining from asking for a job (thats me centered) even if thats your purpose for attending, but do ask questions about the company, or for advice on breaking into the industry (you centered).

My dad used to say that there is great providence in business and great providence in networking. God works in our availability; He will ensure that the connections we make are the ones that will help further His plan for our life.

Career Networking for the Beginner: What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do

Scott Giffen '99 CFRE, is managing partner of SDG FundRaising. Scott has raised funds for theaters and symphonies nationwide, and is GC's 2009 Outstanding Young Alumnus.

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