Whether at an industry networking event, a career fair, or a professional organization, networking helps a young professional shape their future. As a major economic hub, Dallas is rich with networking events accommodating young adults. If you are a young professional in the Dallas area, make sure you take advantage of these events by arriving confident and prepared. Read on for networking tips that can help you put your best foot forward.
How to Approach Networking
Before going to a networking event, it’s essential that you work on your elevator pitch. This is a summary of your personal aptitude, strengths, and skills within a 30-60 second timeframe. Include who you are, what you do, and how you do it. Feel free to include your impact at work or unique aspects of your background.
Then, write down your intentions for this event. Is your goal to meet other professionals in your area of expertise? Are you looking to meet a few specific people or meet new people in your area? Are you trying to connect with a wide range of people? By answering these questions, you will be able to strategize before the event and assess your success after the event.
How to Carry Yourself During the Event
It’s not just you: Networking is overwhelming for many people. Relax, be yourself, and have confidence when you join a conversation. Remember the elevator pitch you created? You know you have so much to offer!
The timing of joining a conversation is essential. Join when there is a natural break in the small talk, and remember to be assertive. Once you introduce yourself, shake hands with members of the group. Make sure to take an interest in what others reveal about themselves, their careers, or their industry by actively listening and asking meaningful questions. If you find you have resonated with each other, feel free to ask to exchange contact information. An engaging conversation could be the start of a productive professional connection.
How to Be Prepared for the Event
A career fair is a great place to get in front of employers and network with other professionals like yourself. These fairs allow you to learn about different companies in your field and make a positive first impression with recruiters. Make sure to have questions similar to these ready:
- What does the hiring process look like?
- What has been the highlight of your experience at the company?
- What do growth and development opportunities at the company look like?
- How can you stay in touch?
You could also ask deeper questions about the company’s products, services, or recent news that cannot be answered with a cursory scan of the company’s website. Asking about culture is another question that is best answered by another person in real time. Think about what excites you about the company and generate your own questions.
Why Networking Is Important
As mentioned, Dallas has no shortage of networking events. These are often hosted by industry networking groups or other professional organizations. By joining these organizations, you can access exclusive opportunities to grow your skills and expand your network. Attend online or in-person events to meet new people with similar jobs or interests. Your new connections can introduce you to others in their network, and so on. If your organization is a state or local chapter to a larger organization, this network effect could introduce you to new states or even countries!
How to Follow Up and Make The Most of Your Experience
After meeting someone new, sending a follow-up or thank-you note is a nice gesture. Connect with your contact on LinkedIn after meeting at an event, or email them a quick “thank you.” Make sure to take notes of something memorable you talked about so you can mention this, and they’ll remember you. Also, remember to follow up on any promises made during the conversation, such as making an introduction to a colleague. Your new connection will be pleasantly surprised when you come through.
Don’t just reach out to contacts when you need something; send them something valuable, too. It could be as simple as a relevant news article or as impactful as an introduction to a potential client or partner. Relationships become highly beneficial when they are a two-way street.
Conclusion
Dallas is a vibrant place for networking, especially for young adults. Whether you pursue networking opportunities in Dallas or elsewhere, including online, make sure to incorporate the best practices detailed above: Know your value and goals, be kind, and follow up. By making these simple changes, you can stand out to potential employers, clients, or co-founders when networking.
For more information, check out Best Networking Practices.
Dallas Junior Chamber 