How Do You Network?

​Having someone vouch for you can make all the difference in getting you in the door. How do you develop this essential network?

1. Offer something up. How? Send informative articles or friendly emails. Stay in touch. Offer to help with research or an important cause. Do not just hit people up when you need a favor. Serving as a resource can keep interactions authentic and positive, and keep you from feeling like a brown noser.
2. Participate in communities, e.g., a law foundation, ethnic bar, alumni association, or professional group. People can get to know you through these interactions and judge how you work. Before you go to any events, think about what companies would be a great fit with you and learn the names of employees there in your space. Seek them out and know what you want to say to them beforehand. (See #4 below.)
3. Social media. Get on LinkedIn at the very least. Put up an attractive professional picture. No casual shots. This picture can set the first impression someone might have of you.
4. Know yourself and your audience, and then craft an on-point elevator pitch. When someone talks to you, can you summarize yourself and make it relevant to him/her? Articulate your competitive advantage humbly.
5. Do things regularly. You cannot just pop up from a season of working hard and expect a network to be there. You need to circulate or reach out daily, weekly, monthly. If you do ask for advice or work on a project with someone, do follow up with thanks and update the person with how things went!
6. Remember: people on paper (profiles, resumes) can all look the same. Personal connections set you apart and determine whether a prospective employer wants to talk to you!