General tips on networking

The following tips might help you with your networking.

• Set the tone for each interaction. Helpful approaches include politeness, appreciation of the time provided to you, and being prepared and thorough.
• Remember, everyone within an organisation has a circle of influence, so be ready to interact effectively with each person you encounter, including secretarial and support staff.
• Build ongoing relationships. While sometimes a contact may not be able to help immediately, a day or two later they may make a contact that would be useful to you and refer you to that person.
• Always leave an informational interview with the names of at least two more people who can help you get the information or job that you are seeking. Don’t be shy about asking for additional contacts; networking is all about increasing the number of people who are aware of you and your goals.
• As you talk with different people and get answers to the questions that you pose, you may be given conflicting information or suggestions. Your job is to listen to these “experts” and decide what information and which suggestions will help you to achieve your goals.