by Jessica Stevenson, Cathy Greenman, and Kaylin Marcotte

Networking, like investing, is most effective when started early.  Start building your network _before_ you need it. Whether you engage in networking to make new friends when you move to a new city or to forge business connections with other professionals, it can be a huge benefit to your career!

_Keep an eye out for Networking, Round 2 with a bonus networking email in honor of tonight’s Keynote Event with Cindy Cornell!_


*WAYS OF NETWORKING:*

_*Online Social Networking: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter*_
You should have a clean, professional account on each one.  Always remember, whenever you post something on the Internet, anyone can find it.  So it is time to retire that album from Spring Break in Acapulco.  You should be easy to find, and easy to contact – make sure your email address is current and appropriate.  These sites also make it easy to follow up with people you meet while networking.  Vicki Salemi, author and career consultant, says that when you meet a new contact, “it's important to follow up within the next 48 hours via LinkedIn or e-mail so you can continue the conversation.”

_*Off-Campus, In-Person Networking Events*_
These are a great opportunity to grow your network because you are not vying for the attention of a recruiter or particular employer along with every other unemployed student, you are there to make connections with other people who are all there because they are interested in making connections.  Make sure to bring business cards to exchange with others and follow-up via email and a LinkedIn request.  How to find these events?  There are a few great membership-based networks that host in-person events, especially in large, urban areas (like the one you’re in!).  Check out 85Broads.com, which has an awesome NYC chapter with fun, high-class events every month, or Step Up Women’s Network to get started. 

_*Making The Most of Your Network*_
“It's not all about you!  Networking is an awesome way to connect the dots between your new connection and someone in your network.  Not only does it feel good helping other people, but that career karma will come back to help you in the long run.  This will allow your network to grow and can lead to referrals and further connections,” says Vicki Salemi.  Remember – as with all other relationships, networking is a give-and-take.  Be sure to keep your contacts apprised of anything that can be useful or interesting to them to keep the relationship relevant.


*QUICK TIPS:*

1. Wear your name-tag on your right shoulder – the first place where someone’s eyes go when shaking your hand.

2. When at a networking event, focus on getting to know 1 or 2 people well rather than meeting many people superficially.

3. “Give out business cards like candy.  It's quite fun and inexpensive to create your own and feel 'official' as you exchange cards with professionals," says Vicki Salemi.  A good business card includes your name, email address, and phone number.  For inexpensive business cards that you can order online, check out vistaprints.com, moo.com, or printsmadeeasy.com.


_Contributor Vicki Salemi is a career consultant and the author of Big Career in the Big City: Land a Job and Get a Life in New York (available this May) and The ABC's of College Life. She also writes about careers for ForbesWoman, CareerBuilder, and the New York Post._


*FURTHER RESOURCES:*

- Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
- Who's Got Your Back by Keith Ferrazzi
- Keith Ferrazzi's blog: Business is Human. Relationships Power Growth. www.keithferrazzi.com
- The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (Or What Would Jane Austen Do?) by Diane K. Danielson
- 85 Broads: www.85Broads.com
- Step Up Women’s Network: www.suwn.org
- www.vickisalemi.com (especially the speaking section)
- Blog post “The HUGE Mistake People Make with Email, and 7 Tips to Avoid It” by Keith Ferrazzi: https://www.85broads.com/experts/keith-ferrazzi/the-huge-mistake-people-make-with-email-and-7-tips-to-avoid-it


Missed day 1, 2, or 3? View them here: https://www.85broads.com/public/blogs/jessica-l-stevenson/articles

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