How can you start networking?
While some people find networking intuitive, most of us find it extremely hard. And it is normal. Frameworks are a great way to build your confidence and can help you to get out there, try things, and hone your skills. But remember: they are guides, not hard rules!
Main objectives of a networking meeting
1. Gather information
A networking meeting is your chance to ask a few questions, which will help you understand a sector, company, or job a bit better. This will be key in your other meetings, interviews, or even future jobs!
2. Gain an evangelist
Evangelists are people who are willing to help you, for example by referring you for a job, putting you in contact with a hiring manager, or reviewing your CV. Evangelists will also keep you in mind for future opportunities they may come accross.
3. Grow your network
If you make a good impression, most people will be willing to share a few contacts to help you out. This will help you grow your network exponentially! Just remember to ask nicely, openly, and without putting pressure on the other person.
How to prepare for your meeting
Research, research, research
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Make sure you know who you will be talking to and that you understand their path. This will save time in the meeting as you will be able to focus on very specific questions. No need to ask"can you tell me about your background?", you should already know everything about it.
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A couple things you can do
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Read their LinkedIn profile in detail, including the achievements they list for each job, any links they included, their skills, the courses they took, and any projects they added
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Check out their LinkedIn activity: likes, comments, posts, who they follow...
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Make sure you understand what their past and current companies do by looking at their websites
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Google their name to see what comes up: publications, portfolio, website, webinar...
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Keep it professional
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You don't want to come across as a stalker, so if you find something personal, don't focus on it and don't mention it in the meeting.
How to run your meeting
While you should not constrain yourself to rigid structures, it does help to follow some high-level guidelines. Here is a short summary of a framework described in "The 20min networking interview". If you want more detail, examples, and guidelines, go check out the book in our resources section!