Networking Tips for Students and Young Professionals
By Laura M. Pennino

Networking?

What does networking mean? Why does it matter? How does it work? Why should you do it? How do you start? Why bother? How will you know when you're "getting it?"

Wow! Is your head spinning and your stomach nauseated just thinking about the idea of meeting and interacting with men and women you don't know who have years more life and work experience than you do?

Probably so. That's understandable.

Networking in the context of what students and young professionals care about basically means "to interact with others for mutual assistance or support." Now, that's not so intimidating, is it?

Networking is active, not passive, and takes many forms, the most common of which are:

1. Calling, writing and visiting working professionals, instructors and professors, retirees, relatives, or long-time family friends and neighbors and telling them what skills and personal attributes you have to offer and what kinds of jobs interest you. Likewise, it means learning from them and listening to what they have to say, even if you don't necessarily agree.
2. Attending and being fully engaged (that is, being attentive and "on") at receptions, mixers, seminars and lectures, workshops, and social events to circulate and meet new people or to renew acquaintances. These are excellent opportunities to expose your talents, personality and attitude so make sure you sparkle and shine, with an appearance that is inviting to future employers.

So here are a few tips to help you become an excellent networker and future wonderful employee:

1. Before connecting with anyone who can help you with a job in any way, be sure your resume is current, with phone numbers and email addresses listed at the top, and with first class and supportable words and actions to back up everything on the resume.

For example: Make sure your voice mail message sounds professional, like something you'd hear if you were already gainfully employed in your dream job. "Hello, this is Future Great Employee [insert first and last name]. Thank you for your call. Please leave your name, number and a detailed message and I'll return your call as soon as possible" is much much better than "Hey, it's me. You know what to do. So do it!"

Use an email address that you are proud to give out and that is similar to one used in a business or professional organization versus hotandsexyguy@yahoo.com or sweetbabygirl@aol.com. No kidding, I've seen emails similar to these from students seeking jobs.

Ask permission in advance of listing references and include three to five of them on your resume, with names, titles, phone numbers and email addresses. Great candidates for references include current and past faculty and staff members, past or current employers in part-time or full-time jobs, or past or current associates who can vouch for your character and work ethic [i.e., family friends, relatives, or volunteer coordinators].

Be sure you have printed and electronic versions of your resume readily available, wherever you go. If you have examples of work you've done, package them in ways that are attractive (i.e., in a portfolio or in PDF format).

2. Look, act and sound your very best at all times. Every contact is valuable so collect business cards, names, phone numbers, physical addresses and email addresses, hang on to them and use them.

Make sure your attitude is open, friendly and eager, but not desperate. Stay positive always, even if you had a car wreck hours before attending a major function, which happened to me recently. Wear the best clothing and accessories you can afford everywhere you go. Be careful about exposing too many piercings, tattoos or avant-garde hair colors and styles to potential employers too soon, even if you are pursuing a position in an artistic or technical field that embraces individuality. Remember to dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Don't have a job? The point is to appear as self-assured as if you already had a job. (Be confident, but not arrogant. Confidence is attractive while arrogance is repulsive.)

Rehearse potential conversations in advance and be prepared to engage in "small talk" about current news or sporting events, community issues, or industry trends. Ask for leads and connections, share ideas and goals, explain skills and interests without being pushy or too chatty.

Remember to listen well and ask others questions so you can learn something. Sample questions include: How long have you been a lawyer? What was the best experience of your legal career? What advice would you give someone like me starting out? What firms are hiring clerks right now?

3. Follow up and follow through to stay "top-of-mind" and visible among those who can open doors to interviews and eventually job or money-making opportunities. This is what's called "closing the loop" or "connecting the dots."

Be gracious and appreciative always. Thank everyone for his or her time, support and any contacts he or she is willing to share.

Remember to use the telephone and to write and send personal notes via email and regular mail. Do not be overly dependent upon email.

Check in periodically with men and women whom you trust or with whom you made a solid connection, even if he or she doesn't have a job opening for you in the near-term He or she might know someone who does and is likely to be impressed with your tenacity.

Remember that persistence pays off and adopt the attitude of being a "friendly pest."

About the Author

Laura M. Pennino, chief executive officer of Pennino and Partners, has 25 years of journalism and public relations experience. She is a regular guest speaker for the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University, her alma mater, on the topic of careers in public relations and marketing. She is writing a book to help students and young professionals succeed in entry level public relations careers that will be published in later 2005 or early 2006. Pennino and Partners ranks among the top 20 public relations firms in Houston. For additional counseling on careers and more information on Pennino and Partners, please visit www.penninoandpartners.com or call 281/286 9398.

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