Making You Job-Market Ready

Through Custom Career Communications

NETWORKING TIPS AND CHECKLIST

FOR ONE-ON-ONE INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS

Treat it as a business meeting. Have an agenda, even if it’s an informal one in your head, and work through that agenda during the meeting with the goal of accomplishing every item.

Dress appropriately. No need to wear a suit, but you should dress business casual. One caveat: If you’re meeting with someone from one of your target companies, dress up a bit more. Whether you know it or not, you’re in an interview. This is a person who you want to champion you inside the company. You want to make the best impression.

Offer to buy coffee. If you’re unemployed, you don’t have money to buy meals for everyone you network with, so stick with coffee. One caveat: If this is a person who is critical to a job you’ve applied for, think about splurging for lunch.

Be respectful of their time. Thank them for meeting with you and for their willingness to help you in your job search.

It’s a conversation. The meeting isn’t all about you. It should be a conversation, an exchange of ideas and information. It’s not about asking for a job, It’s about establishing or maintaining a relationship and about obtaining information as part of your job market research.

Staring the conversation. Once you’ve thanked them, now what? Here are a few conversation starters to help break the ice:

  • Talk about the weather.
  • Discuss the person who connected the two of you.
  • Ask about where your networking partner works. i.e. what’s it like to work there? What does their role encompass? What’s the culture like? What’s the best thing about working there? What’s their least favorite thing about working there?
  • Ask for feedback on what you know about their company.

Ask about them. How long have they worked at their company? What about family? What do they like to do with their spare time?Talk about common interests. If through your research you’ve found something in common, talk about that. It could be the same hobby, school or charity.

Send a thank you note. Sending a thank you via email is acceptable. Sending a hand-written note sets you apart. Either way, you’ve not only thanked them for their time and help, you’ve put yourself top of mind a second time. Make sure you outline what the person has agreed to do for you and what you’ve agreed to follow up on for them.

NETWORKING CHECKLIST

Have a plan. What do you wish to accomplish in this meeting?

If you don’t know the person you’re meeting, research them. Check out their picture on LinkedIn.

Arrive first. That way you can find a table and watch for their arrival so that you can greet them, taking any guesswork out of the situation for them.

Offer to get them something, such as coffee.

Thank them for meeting with you.

Set expectations. Outline what you wish to accomplish in the meeting so they can frame their conversation accordingly.

Make sure you give them your business card.

Ask how you can help them. Is there anything I can do for you?

Leave behind your marketing sell sheet.

Follow up with a thank-you note.

If possible, include an article related to a topic you discussed during your meeting. Or add a comment about a new restaurant or store that relates to the conversation you had with them.

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