What should you tell professionals when networking?

Hi,

Here it is some tips:

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  You don’t need to attend group networking events. In fact, one-on-one networking can be even more productive for building a relationship. Start by identifying people you want to meet with. If you don’t have a lot of experience, begin with friends, family and people you know well. These contacts are more likely to help by sharing information and offering referral names. Practicing with them will build your confidence and prepare you for higher-stake conversations with people who don't know you.

  
  


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  Asking for a meeting is pretty simple, yet many people dread it. All you're requesting is to have a 20 to 30 minute meeting to get advice or ask for an opinion. Be specific about the type of information you're looking for. Your request to meet with someone should always be done on an individual basis, and should be made by phone, although email will work too.

  
  


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  Compile a dossier on the person you will be meeting with. It might include Internet search results, his or her LinkedIn profile, publications, news releases, speaking engagements or other news articles in which they have been mentioned. Conduct the same type of research to learn about the company he or she works for. There are two benefits to this: First, it will help you feel more comfortable during the meeting, and second, it allows you to develop questions to ask during the meeting.

  
  


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  Your questions will be unique to your situation, but here are some sample questions from a Come Recommended article by Julie Gamache, "25 Questions to Ask In An Informational Interview:"

  
  


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  How did you land your current job? How did you get to where you are?

  
  


• What do you do during a typical day/week? (If he or she says every day is different, ask him or her to describe a recent day.)


• What parts of your job do you find most challenging?


• What do find most enjoyable?


• What do you like most about your company?


• How is your company different from similar ones?


• What do you wish you knew when you were in my position?


• What hard skills are important for your job?


• What soft skills make someone excel in this industry?


• How do you stay updated on industry trends?

As a final preparatory step, jot down an agenda. You should do this even if you are meeting with a good friend, because it's good practice and will help ensure you cover all the important topics and get your questions answered. Your agenda might flow something like this: the meeting's purpose, your pitch or introduction, your questions and your closing, which should include your request for additional people to speak with.

More tips and information in:

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2014/03/26/how-to-plan-a-one-on-one-networking-meeting

Good luck in your achievements!

Hi,

I would suggest getting curious about what these professionals do, how they got to where they are now. I believe that getting insight from their different experiences can be insipiring sometimes and can eventually help you with a bit with whatever you want to pursue.
Networking can be tricky sometimes, you don't wanna stand there awkwardly. I would highly recommend preparing few questions that interest you and casually approach the person. Remember, the first 6 seconds are the most important to make a positive impression, prepare these 6 seconds, deliver a good presentation of who you are and what you do. Then ask the questions you intended to ask.

Good luck :)