The Ins and Outs of Networking

What is networking?
Networking is socializing and creating relationships with other people. The relationships you form can help benefit you and your career as well as benefit the person you formed the relationship with. 



Networking Events
There are many different ways that people network. There are:

• Job Fairs
• College Fairs
• LinkedIn Groups
• Chamber of Commerce Events
• Happy Hour (if you are of age of course)
• College Alumni Programs

How to network

• Don't be afraid of making conversation. 
• Look pleasant and friendly. Greet people warmly and preferably with a firm handshake.
• Have business cards on hand. If you meet someone you really connect with you can just hand them over a business card with all of your information on it. It's simple and faster than writing down all of your info on a piece of paper continuously the whole night.
• Strike up some conversation before asking for a favor. If you just straight up ask for favors it can come off as rude and it makes it seem like you only want to use them instead of having a genuine relationship.
• After leaving with someone's information, be sure to follow up with them! Contact them every once in a while to keep things flowing.

-Naomi Ricketts