It’s Friday night, there’s a Facebook invite to a networking event, but you’re hesitant. Should you let this fear keep you from going? Not at all. Experts estimate more than 70% of people land jobs through networking. (U.S. News) It’s one of the most common ways to accelerate your career. Beyond launching your career, networking can boost your confidence and advance your skillset. They connect you with inspiring thought leaders and mentors, To help you become more comfortable with networking. Here are some easy do’s and don’ts to keep in mind before heading out the door.
DO prepare yourself with icebreakers
Weather commentary can be a predictable go-to; however, opening with a shared interest stems deeper than a surface intro. Brainstorm topics you’re passionate about on your way there. Maybe it’s a T.V. show you’ve been watching or a band you recently discovered – ask if they’ve been tuning in to the same media. From there, you can deep dive into industry trends and news related to the career you want to pursue.
DO NOT go without knowing why you’re going
Have you ever heard that positivity attracts positivity? The same can be said about motivation. If you know what your career goals are, employers will sense this drive from a mile away. Attend the event with purpose, and before leaving, try to obtain at least five business cards. Following the event will connect with who you met on LinkedIn and You never know where that connection will lead or who they know.
DO come with questions
It’s your chance to ask a room full of both job hunters and employers for any advice they may have. Their experience could be the solution to a fulfilling career path. Do you have questions you would ask a future employer? Practice for your next interview and ask away at the networking event.
Questions to get the ball rolling
- What’s something you wish you knew before starting your career?
- What was your first entry-level job?
- What advice do you have for someone interested in the ___ industry?
DO NOT doubt yourself
Whether it’s through meditation or a mirror pep talk, build yourself up to be excited to attend the event. The innovative skills you possess deserve to be utilized in a fulfilling career. Look at walking into a room full of strangers as a positive – they don’t know who you are. Here’s a fresh-start opportunity to showcase your talents and grow your network.
DO join Revature
From the first day of on-the-job training throughout your Revature career, you will be networking. Whether it’s collaborating with team members, who are equally driven to launch their career or working on-site with our industry-leading clients, there are a variety of opportunities to build connections. Within a few years, you can have a long-lasting, reliable, nationwide network.
Don’t believe us? Hear it for yourself from one of our Revature success stories, Mustafa Nofal:
“Revature helped me with time management, dedication, and focus. You can’t finish the program without learning those traits. I also learned how to network. Networking helped me, especially when I would ask my teammates if they could teach me something I didn’t know.”