Networking is more that just meeting new people. It’s also about maintaining existing relationships. This involves staying in touch with contacts, sharing updates on your work, and offering support and assistance when needed. This all supports your career growth and development.
Here are three questions you can ask at your next event to start to grow you professional network.
- Start by asking where they did their undergrad
- Reply to show you know something about the school or the area.
- Using humour can be a great way to get the conversation rolling.
- Try gently poking fun (any other school in Canada will have worse weather than UVic!)
- Next, ask for some advice: What can I do in my first few years after school to succeed?
- This is where you can tap into someone’s enthusiasm for their field
- Follow their lead and start to build rapport
- Thank them for the great advice
- Conclude by asking “Do you mind if I keep in touch with how things go?”
- When you use that great advice you got, let them know that they saved you time, you learned so much.
- This will continue to build the relationship over time.
- As this camaraderie grows, the network of people you can call on when you are looking for your next opportunity will expand as well.