"10 Tips to Help You Network Like a Pro"​

1. Talk to new people at networking events
   Making new contacts can expand your network and increase your chances of receiving a new opportunity.
   When you attend a new event, set a goal of talking to at least 3 people. Talk about basic topics (e.g., your professions or hobbies) and see if you can create a common connection to follow up with them after the event.
    

2. Attend new events
   If you go to the same type of networking events, you may already know many of the attendees. Try to participate in other events, where you can meet new people and diversify your interests. There are many sources for finding new networking events (e.g. online, your community social media page, a school alumni website).
    

3. Create authentic relationships
   Creating a few quality connections may be more beneficial than engaging in multiple quick conversations. Try to find shared goals and interests that could extend a meaningful conversation. 
    

4. Bring a memorable business card
   Most people who attend a networking event will bring business cards to exchange. To stand out, you might consider creating unique business cards that relate to your industry or your profession. 
    

5. Be confident
   When preparing for a networking event, rehearse responses to common questions you might encounter when you speak to new people, such as, “Tell me about yourself,” or “How long have you been in the industry?” Having an answer ready will ensure your delivery is smooth. Show your confidence with nonverbal communication e.g. Initiate conversations, offer a firm handshake if appropriate, stand up straight and maintain eye contact throughout the conversation. 
    

6. Stay connected
   Once you have a new relationship, it is important to continue to build and strengthen the foundation. You can call, text or email a new contact a few days after the networking event to express your pleasure in meeting them. 
    

7. Help others in your network
   Part of networking is offering help to your connections, which can show you are generous and dependable. You may be able to help them by acting as a reference, or providing them contact information of a potential intern or customer.
    

8. Revisit older connections
   Maintaining your connections is an important part of networking, try to reconnect with them every few months by emailing an interesting article or industry-related news. You can ask for updates on their career or if they’d like to meet in person to reconnect. 
    

9. Find new connections online
   If you have a professional profile on a social media platform, you could add colleagues in other departments, individuals you met in networking events and even experts in your field. If they posts content regularly, you may learn valuable information that you can apply to your work. If you want to make a more personal connection, try sending them a private message with a question that relates to your industry or a comment about how you admire their work.
    

10. Form your own networking group
    When you form connections at an event, try inviting a small group to meet again at a later date. Consider planning fun activities that can help people feel more comfortable. 

​

"Learn to Love Networking"

1. Focus on Learning
   See networking as an opportunity for discovery and learning rather than a chore.
   Concentrate on the positives—how it’s going to help you boost the knowledge and skills that are needed in your job—and the activity will begin to seem much more worthwhile.
    

2.  Identify Common Interests
   The next step in making networking more palatable is to think about how your interests and goals align with those of people you meet and how that can help you forge meaningful working relationships. If possible, try to find out more about the people you will greet and find common interests before meeting them. When your networking is driven by substantive, shared interests you’ve identified through serious research, it will feel more authentic and meaningful and is more likely to lead to relationships that have those qualities too.
    

3. Think Broadly About What You Can Give
   Even when you do not share an interest with someone, you can probably find something valuable to offer by thinking beyond the obvious. People who feel powerless—because they are junior in their organizations, because they belong to a minority, or for other reasons—often believe they have too little to give and are therefore the least likely to engage in networking, even though they’re the ones who will probably derive the most benefit from it. When people believe they have a lot to offer others, such as wise advice, mentorship, access, and resources, networking feels easier and less selfish.
   People tend to think too narrowly about the resources they have that others might value. They focus on tangible, task-related things such as money, social connections, technical support, and information, while ignoring less obvious assets such as gratitude, recognition, and enhanced reputation. People also appreciate those who understand their values and identities and make them feel included. 
   You might also have unique insights or knowledge that could be useful to those with whom you’re networking. For example, junior people are often better informed than their senior colleagues about generational trends and new markets and technologies. When you think more about what you can give to others than what you can get from them, networking will seem less self-promotional and more selfless—and therefore more worthy of your time.
    

4. Find a Higher Purpose
   Another factor that affects people’s interest in and effectiveness at networking is the primary purpose they have in mind when they do it. Focusing on the collective benefits of making connections (“support my firm” and “help my clients”) rather than on personal ones (“support or help my career”) feel more authentic and more likely to network.