Networking 101

Before The Event

• If possible, take a look at an RSVP list in order to get an idea of who is attending.  Is there anyone in particular you would like to meet?
• Practice your ‘elevator speech.’  For students, your goal is to articulate your career goals, how that ties in to your current major, where you see yourself after graduation or summer internship.  At the event I always think you should be specific on your career goals.

At the Event

• Introduce yourself.  Networking events & mixers can become extremely awkward if most people avoid eye contact, and don’t plan on meeting people.  You can eliminate this awkwardness by being the one to walk straight up to people, simply saying hello and introducing yourself.
• Don’t just talk to people you know, make it a point to speak with people that you’ve never met with before. 
• Use a buddy system.  I’ve always found that it can be effective if you have a “partner in crime.”  Someone that you can meet other people with, and since you know each other it can keep the conversation flowing smoother when meeting someone new.
• Stay away from groups.  If you find yourself talking in a group of people that you already know, take a moment to walk away to freshen up your drink, etc.  It will give you an opportunity to avoid getting stuck with this same group all night. 
• Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions.  This is absolutely one of the best ways to differentiate yourself, believe it or not.  Use this opportunity to learn as much as you can about the person you’re meeting.  Some sample questions might be:
• How long have you been with your current company?  What do you like about it?  What attracted you to the position when you joined?
• How did you get started in your career?  How have you progressed from your first position to where you are now?
• What advice would you give to someone that was interested in a career like yours?
• What brought you to the event tonight? 
• Exchange information.  If you have a good conversation with them, ask them for their card, and be able to provide them with your information.

After the Event

• Email a ‘nice to meet’ you email, or connect via LinkedIn with a note expressing an interest in keeping in touch.
• Explore the option of meeting someone for coffee, or asking for an informational meeting to learn more about their business.  People love sharing information and would be happy to do this with you if you ask.

Phone Interview Checklist

The majority of job openings that are posted today are highly competitive, so many companies that are looking to hire someone will first start with a phone screen of candidates as a way to narrow down their search prior to in-person interviews.  I see this as the first step in the interview process on over 75% of the positions that I recruit on, so if you are looking for a new job opportunity, then you should prepare and plan to shine in your phone interview in order to advance to the next step in the process.

Here are a few basic things that you should have in mind before every phone screen:

• When asked for availability of a phone screen, always give several options of times and dates that you are available.  Always reply with the best contact phone number that the interviewer can reach you at.  Will they be calling you, or are you expected to dial them?

• Be available and expecting their call at the agreed upon time.  Many companies schedule phone interviews as frequently as 15 minutes apart, so if you miss the call and have trouble getting a hold of them when you call back, the interviewer might already be on to preparing for the next call.

• Use a landline phone whenever possible.  Cell phones are the norm these days, but most don’t have perfect reception.

• If no landline is available, test out a location that you know you get good cell reception.

• Don’t act surprised when the interviewer calls you.  You’re expecting and prepared for their call so there is no reason to pretend like you’re not.

• Make sure it is a quiet place where you can speak freely and not have to whisper or talk softly.

• Allocate enough time for your phone interview.  If it’s going well it might last longer than 15-20 minutes.  You don’t want to be the one to end a good conversation due to time constraints, so book it for a time period when you have plenty of time (after work, or during your lunch break perhaps?)

• Treat a phone interview like it’s an interview.  Prepare as you would for a standard interview, where you’ve done your research on the industry, company, and position details.  Have your questions prepared and written down.

The thing is, phone screens are hard!  You’re not able to see the person you’re meeting with, so you can’t read the expressions of the interviewer, and they can’t see your expressions or body language.  Most phone interviews are brief, and you’ll get off the phone without a real feel for how it went.
My experience is that most employers want to get a quick feel for your personality, and if you are able to articulate and back up the things written on your resume.  By following these steps you will help give them confidence enough to bring you in to meet with them, which is where you would like to be!