Networking 101

While abundant resources exist to guide resume building and interview preparation, a crucial preceding step often goes overlooked: capturing the hiring team’s attention with your application. One effective way is to leverage your professional network for referrals. To do this, you’ll need to cultivate a robust network. Let me teach you how:

In my opinion, there are two primary ways to network: in-person and virtual. While virtual networking involves cold emailing or messaging, in-person networking demands social skills and, I believe, is more effective.

Networking In-Person

Attending events such as conferences, seminars, or social gatherings provides opportunities for in-person networking:

• Networking with Attendees: Introduce yourselves to other attendees and let the conversation flow based on your shared backgrounds. Highlight key points about yourself to make a lasting impression. Before moving on to the next person, suggest connecting on LinkedIn. A simple “We should connect on LinkedIn” or “I think we should collaborate on [shared interest]” can suffice. Do this with multiple attendees.
• Networking with Speakers/Guests: Since you know who you want to speak with beforehand, research their background, recent work, and accomplishments. Given the limited time available — often just two minutes or less — make the most of your opportunity. Begin by congratulating them on their work or discussing a specific project. Then, introduce yourself succinctly, highlighting a shared interest or connection. Explain how their work has inspired or influenced you, and express your interest in connecting further. Recognizing that these individuals likely meet many people, follow up with a personalized message or LinkedIn invitation to reinforce your connection. This will help ensure they remember you when you reach out again in the future.
• Networking with Professors, HR Representatives, Employees, or Significant Figures: Be mindful of the time allotted for your interaction. Focus on effectively conveying your qualifications for the desired role. While enthusiasm is important, avoid appearing desperate. Maintain confidence and project an image of yourself as a strong candidate who would be a valuable asset to the team.

Virtual Networking

Virtual networking involves reaching out to individuals via messages or emails. Unfortunately, response rates are typically low, often less than 10%. Mastering the art of crafting effective messages is crucial for increasing your chances of a reply. While there’s no strict word count for emails, strive for conciseness while including essential information such as your introduction, purpose for contacting the individual, and desired outcome.

This is similar to cold emailing and can yield significant results with persistence. Take advantage of the time before sending your message to tailor it to the specific recipient based on their online profile. Rely on your intuition to craft messages that resonate. Importantly, always follow up if you don’t receive a response. Often, people are simply busy and forget to reply promptly.

People often respond to follow-up messages because they appreciate your persistence and want to be respectful of your time.

Remember, this is just a starting point for your networking journey. With experience, you’ll become more adept at guiding conversations and tailoring your messages. The more you practice, the better you’ll become.

Ok, now that you’ve established connections, it’s essential to nurture those relationships before directly asking for referrals.

Here are some strategies:

• Engage with their work: If they’ve published an article or had a research paper accepted, congratulate them. If their work aligns with your interests, delve deeper by sharing specific insights or questions.
• Continue the conversation: Recall topics discussed during your initial interaction and share relevant articles or news. This demonstrates your attentiveness and interest in their field.
• Be supportive: If they seek assistance online, offer help even if you can’t provide a complete solution. Your willingness to assist will strengthen your connection.

People are generally more inclined to help someone they know and like. A positive interaction can significantly increase your chances of receiving a referral.

Good luck!