Going to network events may sound like something you do after you graduate, once you start your professional career. However, learning how to network while you are still a student can be very worthwhile; it’ll give you valuable skills that will come in handy when you start looking for a job, and in the best-case scenario, the people in your network may even help you land one! Think of events like Business Days Twente and Career Café, during which you can meet people and companies in the field of your interest. Before going though, you might want to do some preparations. Here are our tips!
1. Check the guestlist
Before going to a networking or career event, it’s helpful to research who is going to be there and who you would like to speak to. Especially at big events, like the Business Days Career Fair, it can be pretty overwhelming to decide on the spot which companies interest you and with whom you want to have a chat. By checking the guestlist, you can already make a selection of participants that pique your interest and even do a quick LinkedIn search to get some background information, which might help you start up a conversation.
2. Update your LinkedIn profile
Just like you are checking people’s LinkedIn profiles before and after a networking event, others will do the same. So, make sure your profile is up-to-date and recognisable, with at least a proper photo of yourself and a tagline stating your main activities and interests. Also note that your online presence goes further than just your LinkedIn profile; you don’t want potential connections and employers to find crazy, eight-year old Facebook photos of you at a party. If there ever was a time to professionalise your online presence – the time is now.
3. Do some preliminary reading
Are you going to a network event centred around a specific topic or related to a certain industry that you are not yet (or only partially) familiar with? Then it’s helpful to do some quick, preliminary reading. You really don’t have to do an entire deep-dive and become an expert on the topic – as long as you have some basic knowledge and gain an understanding of what the attendees could be working on, you’re good.
4. Prepare your introduction
When at a networking event, you don’t want to be caught off guard when someone asks you what it is that you do or what you’re interested in. And no – that does not mean that you need to prepare a full-on elevator pitch to introduce yourself (luckily), but a little thought on your introduction beforehand goes a long way. Make sure not to only mention what you study, but also what fields interest you the most, what you are looking for in the future, and any relevant extracurricular activities.
5. Reflect on what you have to offer
A big part of building valuable connections is helping each other out. Therefore, it’s important to consider beforehand what it is that you have to offer. Maybe you have specific knowledge that a company or person is looking for, and they can offer to introduce you to a hiring manager, for example. So, before going to the event, reflect on what you are good at and how you can use that to help others and make new, useful connections.
6. Prepare some conversation starters
Starting up a conversation with a stranger can be a bit scary. That’s why it can be helpful to think of some conversation starters that go beyond just “Hi, how are you?”, ensuring you won’t be having the exact same conversation ten times in a row. Don’t overdo the preparations though. Striking up a spontaneous chat feels less stiff and more natural, but it never hurts to have some interesting talking points in mind for when you need them.
7. Find an outfit you feel comfortable in
The right clothes can make you feel confident, and that’s exactly what you need when you attend a network event for the first time. Go for something that looks professional (no sweatpants, sorry) and you, above all, feel comfortable in. Whether that means going for a full-blown suit or a good-quality jeans with a blouse or dress shirt, is up to you. As long as you feel good wearing it!
8. Reflect on your goals
Going to a network event does not mean you have to have secured your very first job after graduation by the end of the first three conversations. It could very well be that you attend an event just to orientate on your future possibilities, or to talk to field experts who can inspire you to explore a certain career path. Or maybe you want to make new connections because you are working on a promising project that you feel like needs the right people to take it to the next level.
Whatever you want to get out of a network event – it’s always valuable to reflect on your goals beforehand. What do you want to achieve by going to this event, and more importantly, what do you need to do to help you get there? Thinking about this will help you feel more grounded and directed at a big networking event, which can be pretty overwhelming in itself.
9. Ask your friends to join
Even though networking is a skill that you need to train on your own, it can be really helpful to do this together with friends or study mates who are in the same boat. You’ll still have to talk to people yourself, but being able to arrive together and have a little breather with your friends in between can make going to a networking event a lot less daunting and more fun. Besides, it’ll give you the chance to debunk together afterwards, which can help you reflect on all the new connections you’ve built.
Yes, going to a networking event can be a big step, but it’s also very valuable. Besides, it can also be a lot of fun, especially when you are starting to become more natural at striking up professional conversations. The key is to just get started, manage your expectations and try to have fun with it! With these tips, we know you’ll be rocking that upcoming network event. Good luck!
