Networking Tips for Senior Year

If you're going into this school year as a senior, like myself, then your top priority- aside from finishing your academic career strong- is to land a job. For aspiring PR professionals, the best way to do so is through networking.

Here are a few tips from prdaily.com to help you get the most out of formal and informal networking opportunities this academic year:

Dos

• Give them a compliment: At a formal networking event you can sometimes feel awkward starting a conversation with a total stranger, so an honest compliment is a good way to break the ice.

• Go with the flow: Whether it's a formal or informal networking situation, keeping with the context of the conversation will make things run much smoother. For example, if you're at a conference you might want to ask them about what they thought of the keynote speaker or if they've attended this event in the past. Doing so will show that you are genuinely interested in getting to know them, instead of just looking for a job.

• Find common ground: Establishing commonalities with people you meet in informal and formal networking situations is a great way to build a connection with them. If you realize that you're both interested in rock climbing, talk about that. The more you can build a connection with them, the more likely they will remember and keep in touch after initially meeting you.

Don'ts

• Get Egotistical: Although you want to share your past successes and experience with the people you meet at networking events, don't do it in a boastful manner. No one will think of you as someone they'd recommend to an employer if you seem self-centered.

• Forget to get their business card: After you've given someone your card at a networking event, don't forget to get theirs in return. Follow up with them two weeks to a month later and make reference of something interesting you two spoke about. Don't use it as a time to beg for a job, at most try to get an informational interview with them.

• Beg for a job: Perhaps the cardinal sin of networking, aside from staying on your cell phone the entire time at a networking event, is to ask for a job. Remember the best networking is done when you make the conversation mostly about the other person. If you show a genuine interest in getting to know the person they will do the same for you. And, they will be more likely to think of you the next time they hear about a job opening.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Shari DaCosta