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What is the best way to make connections with others ie: networking?

Many jobs ask for multiple recommendations, what is the best way to find people to be these recommendations ? #networking

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Valerie’s Answer

This is a fabulous question! Networking is really important no matter your profession. To do this, make sure you have a LinkedIn profile and make connections there. Also, carry around business cards because you never know who you will meet. Be open to talking to anyone and everyone because it's actually a very small world. I have met some pretty incredible connections in the back of Uber Pools by just drumming up a conversation. Also, join groups of things that interest you whether it's a running club or a book club. You will be really surprised with all the type of people with different backgrounds that you meet! Sky is the limit with networking.
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yoonji’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team

Hi Maxwell! Great question. On my first day of grad school, a counselor said think of networking as just making friends. It's such a simple way of thinking about networking, but it definitely took a lot of the pressure off. Think of networking as a way to connect with people.

Find points of synergy such as similar areas of expertise, career field, university, hometown, etc. If you know the names of the guest speakers or attendees, you can do some research on LinkedIn prior to the event so you have some more background info to work in your conversations. (Make sure your LinkedIn is up to date.) You may also come across people who you initially may not have a lot in common. This is great too because it's an opportunity to learn from them whether it's about a different field of work, what their day-to-day experience is like at their job, or anything else! Remember, you can ALWAYS learn something from someone.

If you can offer any introductions, advice, or tips to the person you meet, make sure to follow up and follow through! Remember, networking is a way to begin a relationship with that person. Try not to just take from this person and offer to give some help if you are able to.

I'll leave you with two final tips. First is remember to smile; a smile is welcoming and will go a long way in opening conversations. Second, if you have a business card, remember to bring them! Even as a student you can buy business cards off sites like Moo. Giving out your business card is a good way to get the other person's card as well.

Best of luck!

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Chetan’s Answer

  • Joining clubs, teams in School
  • working with others in projects
  • https://www.meetup.com/
  • connecting people over linkedIn

Chetan recommends the following next steps:

Go to https://www.meetup.com/ and create an account
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