Networking for Success

Networking for Success

On Thursday January 26^th 2012 hundreds of students and a number of businesses from the London area will converge on the London Convention Centre for the Student-2-Business Networking Conference hosted by the London Economic Development Corporation.

This is a unique one day conference aimed at preparing students for life after school and hopefully building connections between students and local businesses in the hopes of retaining their talent in the London Area.

Students will be provided with opportunities to hear about Resume “Do’s and Don’ts”, personal branding in terms of image and etiquette and the state of the local economy  and what that can mean for their future. Following these sessions students will meet with local professionals in a networking setting to make connections and gain experience building professional relationships.

As a student you might be wondering, is this really worth it? Well in short, yes!

I attended this conference as a student and I still remember a number of the individuals that I met and they have become connections that have helped me to get to where I am today.

Life after school can be overwhelming and for some it can even be a struggle. A conference like this can give you valuable tools and connections that will make the transition from student to professional easier and trust me, take all of the help, constructive feedback and insight you can get.

I (Sarah) am not far removed from student life and I still remember a number of the tips offered to me as I was entering the professional world and I would like to offer some of those to you through this blog (in no particular order).

1) Have business cards. This was hammered into me as a student. Not everyone will keep your card, but someone might and they could become a valuable connection. So what do you do with business cards?  I was told to not give away cards for the sake of giving away cards; trade cards with people you feel like you built a connection with and want to stay in touch with.

2) Follow up. If you meet someone, connect and get their business card, take a moment to contact them with a brief message saying it was nice to meet them and talk to them about *whatever you talked about* or thank them for their time. This is something little that can make a lasting impression that will help people remember who you are.  

3) Manage your Social Media. Companies are looking, so put social media security and sharing features to use and limit who can see what pictures and what posts. Use Social Media to showcase the best and most genuine version of yourself.  Also use Social Media to discover, establish and build relationships, you would be amazed what you can accomplish with Social Media. 

4) Have a professional eMail Address. It is time to have an email address that has your name (or some variation) in it. A separate professional email account is also a good idea, so that you don’t accidentally include a prospective employer on a personal email, inadvertently send them a virus or have their message trapped by junk mail.

5) Join Professional Organization or Group.  Here is a little secret (or not really) about London, there are a number of groups that cost you nothing to participate in and there are other groups that have minimal fees. Challenge yourself to join one new group in the year; if it is not a good fit, try another. These groups provide you with great opportunities to network and build relationships with people who might know someone, who knows someone, who could use someone like you. 

6) Use your skills. After being in school for 15+ years, you are probably read for a well deserved break. It is okay to take a breather, but try to use your skills every now and then so that they stay fresh while you are looking for your first job.

7) Talk to someone about your resume and cover letter. Take the time to talk to someone about your resume and cover letter; find out how yours stacks up. If you are using the same resume you used through high school and university or college, it is likely time for a rewrite. Services like these are often offered to students and alumni through your school’s career services, so check it out.

8) Be positive! Sometimes staying positive can be an uphill battle while you’re searching for your first real job. I encourage you to make a decision to stay positive and not let negativity get the best of you. It is okay to get frustrated, just try to rebound and focus on something positive; your positive, can-do attitude will impress and people will want to help you in any way they can.

9) Information Interviews. A lot of students don’t know what an information interview is, but it was something an alumnus from my program introduced me to and it is a highly valuable tool. Find a company that you are interested in and find an appropriate contact there (can be someone from HR, management or someone with a job similar to one you hope to get). Contact them and ask them for a coffee or 20 minutes of their time. Let them know that you are just starting out and would appreciate a small amount of time to pick their brain (not everyone will be willing, but there is no harm in asking). This is not a job interview or a sales pitch. Go to the meeting with a list of questions that can help you land the job you want. “What kind of skills or experience does it take to get *specific job*”, “I have a hard time with interviews, what can I do to have better interviews?” “What resources are best for someone hoping to get into this field (publications, websites etc.)” If your meeting goes well you may also be able to ask them if they would be willing to read over your resume and give you some honest and constructive feedback ; having someone from your industry critique your resume can help you develop a resume that will stand out.

10) Be Yourself! You are your best asset! Believe in yourself and be confident in what you have to offer. Realize that while you are going to be a new graduate who is ready to conquer the world, you are still learning and that is something that will never change no matter how long you are out of school. Own who you are and constantly strive to become an even better version of yourself. Know that you will succeed and you will find your place; it just may take some time and hard work.

What is on your mind as you think about graduating and starting your career? We would appreciate hearing your thoughts.

If you are a business reading this, do you have any tips for students as they begin their careers? We would love to hear any tips and tricks you have discovered over the years.

Also if you haven’t already, check out the video the London Economic Development Centre developed for the S2B Conference explaining why it is important and valuable for businesses to take part.