CCA Skills Series: Day 4 - Networking Day
Published by: Claudia Wong
Source: CCA - Fumi in the networking process
Image by Claudia Wong
So far, Fumi has perfected the resume, nailed the behavioural interview, and aced the technical interview! What comes next? Why, the first of many networking events of Fumi’s career, of course, starting with one hosted by Monash University alumni!
Naturally, Fumi is nervous on how to approach and start conversations with fellow industry professionals in networking sessions. Fumi is aware that in many industries today, job opportunities are often sought out and landed through one’s personal network, and that it is important to establish strong connections with others working in fields that Fumi is interested in. However, what Fumi doesn’t realise is that networking extends much further past initial conversations and impressions…
Source: Tijaarat Raabehah - From Handshakes to LinkedIn
Before the Event - Personal Brand and Research
DON’TS
● Show up to the networking event unprepared - A common mistake new graduates can make is to underestimate the value of networking and making a critical first impression.
● Not knowing what you want - Beyond forming a network, think about what you would like to get out of the networking event. Perhaps finding others with a similar interest in startups? Getting advice on ways to improve your project portfolio? Tips for standing out in interviews? Having a main goal in mind can help you find the individuals that you will have the most engaging conversation with. Without having a clear vision, you may waste precious time discussing unimportant topics with other parties.
DO’S
● Establish a personal brand - Consider your career goals and where you wish to see yourself in the future. What image of yourself do you want to present to potential employers that will help you get to where you want to be?
● Do research beforehand - If you know that certain industry professionals will be attending the same event, do some research that you can use to establish common ground. This could include shared interests in a field or sharing the same education background. Being able to bond over a commonality with the other party can ease the tension and be the catalyst for memorable conversations.
● Fumi’s tips: Utilise tools such as LinkedIn or X!
During the Event - First Impressions and Conversations
DON'TS
● Only talking about yourself - While it is important to present and market your personal brand, failure to show any interest in the other party will likely lead to a dead end conversation.
● Oversharing and going overtime - A consequence of being underprepared for an event could be finding yourself improvising and rambling on about irrelevant topics to extend the conversation, only to have a derailed exchange with no meaningful takeaway. Just like a captivating hook for a viral video, it is much better to have a short, intense, memorable interaction than a long-winded discussion.
DO’S
● Make it easy for the other party - Utilise the research that you did before the event. Bringing up your shared connections can be a great way to start the conversation on the right foot. Keep the other party engaged through showing interest in their career journey and asking questions about themselves. Most importantly, pay attention!
● The right mentality - Instead of only focusing on “What can this person do for me?”, try approaching the conversation with a “What can I do for them?” mentality. When people approach networking from a transactional perspective, they often tend to feel guilty and exploitative, resulting in a negative experience for both parties. Thinking about what you can bring to the table to help others can make the experience more engaging and pleasant, and the other party will be more inclined to help you too!
● Fumi’s tips: Add value to your engagements by expressing gratitude, interest, and a willingness to give!
Source: UCI Field Study - Networking
After the Event - Playing the Long Game
DON'TS
● Not putting in effort to maintain newly established connections - Remember, networking doesn’t end when the event does. Gaining a new connection is just the first step!
● Asking for large favours too quickly - While it is a good idea to follow up a previous conversation with an email or message, asking for big favours shortly after meeting a new person can be off-putting and awkward. Without a strong relationship foundation and hard work put into maintaining a connection, bridges can be burned very easily.
DO’S
● Continuously engaging - Updating your LinkedIn profile frequently, commenting on posts from people in your network, and asking questions are all great, small ways to keep yourself fresh and memorable in other’s minds.
● Fumi’s tips: Small gestures go a long way!
It’s Your Turn!
Networking has immeasurable benefits: it provides useful industry connections and can lead to unlimited new career prospects. Keep in mind that the core of networking isn’t to find as many contacts as possible, it’s to identify which ones matter and build personal relationships with the ones that do. Through our ever evolving connections, networking may lead us to fresh career prospects, which brings Fumi’s journey to an end, and back full circle to Fumi’s resume screening day!
For further information on networking opportunities with Monash, check out the link below!
Networking with Career Connect
Be sure to follow our social media accounts to stay up to date on our amazing networking events and opportunities!
· Website
This article is published by CCA, a student association affiliated with Monash University. Opinions published are not necessarily those of the publishers. CCA and Monash University do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of information contained in the publication.