Networking
can
be
a
scary
experience,
and
you
might
be
putting
a
lot
of
pressure
on
yourself
because
you
think
you
need
it
to
find
a
job
or
to
advance
your
career.
The
truth
is
you
can
approach
networking
in
a
fun
and
lighthearted
way
to
get
the
most
out
of
it.
Here
are
my
three
tips
that
I
found
made
networking
more
enjoyable:
1. Be genuine and show interest
Be yourself and show an interest in the person you are networking with. You are more likely to click with somebody if there is a real connection. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, find some common ground, and have conversations about topics that genuinely interest you and the person you are networking with.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask some personal questions
While it’s important to remain professional when networking, don’t be afraid to throw in a few personal questions to help create a more genuine connection. However, it’s important to stay away from sensitive topics and keep the conversation fun. Here are examples of some good personal questions to break the ice:
- With what you know now, what advice would you give to your university self?
- What are your hobbies or interests outside of work/school?
- What led you to choose this career/pathway?
- What are your favourite memories from university/school?
3. Follow up with the person you networked with
Once your chat/meeting is over, reach out and thank the person you networked with for their time. Be sure to follow up and eventually find time to chat again. Following up helps develop your relationship with the person and foster a stronger connection.
Overall, it can take some time to build this skill, but try a few of these tips out and see what works best for you!