NTFB Guide: Networking for Students Part V

It is never to early to start networking. If you are a student and haven’t already started practising your networking skills you should definitely be looking into getting involved in networking activities particularly if you are planning to go into a professional or business position after graduating.

Networking can be an important tool for students, as it allows you to build relationships with people in your field of study or career interests.

What to do after a networking event:

01. Take notes:

Ideally, you would want to take notes immediately after the networking event while everything is fresh in your mind. Note down any advice or responses you gain from questions and conversations. It is also useful to jot down names of contacts you make.

02. Follow up:

The next day, go through the notes you have made and any names you have written down from conversations you had at the event and any business cards. Take these names and use LinkedIn to send connection invites, make sure to write a note on the invitation explaining that you met the individual at X networking event, that you had an interesting conversation about Y and that you would be grateful to keep in contact with them.

If you got given a business card you can either choose to follow up on LinkedIn or via email.

03. Follow up on any leads or opportunities:

If you learned about any leads or opportunities at the event, be sure to follow up on them. This could involve sending a resume or cover letter, setting up an informational interview, or applying for a job or internship.

04. Reflect on the event:

Take some time to reflect on the event and think about what you learned and any new connections you made. This can help you identify areas for improvement and plan for future networking events.

05. Stay engaged:

Keep an eye out for future networking events or opportunities that might be relevant to your interests or goals. Make an effort to stay engaged with your new contacts and continue to build relationships.

Remember, networking is all about building relationships and making connections. Be genuine, be yourself, and don’t be afraid to reach out to people and ask for advice or help.