By: Shay White 

You may have noticed Leading Talent’s social media was abuzz last Wednesday as we held one of the first #LTCWebinars where we learned how to “Master the Art of Networking” with Emily Dupuy!*  

If you missed the webinar, have no fear! We’ve got a quick 3 point summary right here, so read on to find out what you can do right now to become a networking master! 

• Change Your Frame of Mind When Networking 

Sometimes networking can feel, as Emily put it, “shmoozy” and “salesy” because it feels as though you are basically asking for a job. Because of this, many people only network when they are actively looking for a job and spend hours doing it.   

This is not what networking should feel like or be! Changing your frame of mind is key to getting more enjoyment out of networking. Rather than think about getting something from the other person, think about how you can provide value to that person. Think of it as an exchange of services – you have something to provide to that person and they have something to give you (experience, a job, a friend)!  

So stop thinking about it from your perspective – think about networking from your contact’s point of view! 

• Get Prepared! 

Many people think that networking is something you can’t prepare for. This. Is. False!  

Think of it as a pre-interview and do your research – on the company, person, industry, everything. Doing so will allow you to gather a clear idea of what you want out of the networking session. Plus, knowing more about the people you want to talk with is going to make finding conversation starters WAYYYYY easier. 

Don’t forget to prepare yourself for yourself! Know your 30 second elevator pitch inside and out. If you can’t even tell them what you have to offer, they are not going to be interested in listening to what you have to say afterwards.  

Stuck on coming up with an elevator pitch? Think about your background and story, your credentials and how that can help your contact!  

• Follow Up 

Too often, people forget to follow up with their contact afterwards. Remember – this is a pre-interview. If you want the interview later, you need to remind them that you exist and enjoyed your time speaking with them! As Emily listed in her presentation, use the following guidelines to know when you should follow up:  

• If it’s a new person or networking meeting – 24 hours 
• If it’s a referral – 5-7 days 

Once you and your contact have established a relationship, following up once every 3 months is a great way to continue that connection. 

 And there you have it! You are now a networking master!  

 If you would like a copy of Emily’s full presentation, we’ve uploaded it right here for you to check out! We also encourage you to read the 20 Minute Networking Meeting, as Emily suggested, by Marcia Bellinger and Nathan A. Perez as it goes into this topic much further.  

Now get out there and become the #boss networker we know you are!  

* Emily Dupuy is currently a Transition Specialist and a Delivery Leader for Canadian Operations at RiseSmart. She has had over 8 years experience in HR and Recruiting and is “passionate about maximizing career potential.” Connect with her here today!