13 replies to this topic

[Valderino]

I'm not sure how old most of you are, I'm personally 18 (though still in school) and I just set up my LinkedIn profile. (Oh god, this looks so much like spam. xD) Anyhow, it's basically facebook but for business and networking. Even though there are so many blank spaces on my page (Aka, JOB EXPERIENCE. xD) it feels really cool to have a page that I can go back to and edit and update. It's also pretty awesome to see other professionals... Who knows, I might just get hired by one of them!

I've also heard of Foursquare, but apart from the two, those are the main networking platforms I know of.

Do you guys network? Tell me about it!

[Cript]

LinkedIn and Twitter for professional life. Facebook and different Twitter acct for personal.

[Futurama]

I should eventually make a Linkdin...almost have my bachelors....

[Random]

Professional LinkedIn. Should make a professional Twitter.

[Melchoire]

Once you get to university there will be networking events left and right. Find one you're interested in and attend it. As for me, I hate having to forcefully talk to people so I've never been. But it really opens doors for people.

[Random]

Once you get to university there will be networking events left and right. Find one you're interested in and attend it. As for me, I hate having to forcefully talk to people so I've never been. But it really opens doors for people.

Have two fingers of whiskey before your event

[ShadowLink64]

Once you get to university there will be networking events left and right. Find one you're interested in and attend it. As for me, I hate having to forcefully talk to people so I've never been. But it really opens doors for people.

Does it? In my experience, professionals at networking events are very guarded, due to being bombarded with lots of requests about the potential of being hired. Resumes and business cards are thrust upon them at every opportunity, which are probably later thrown out. They are there to keep appearances, but unless someone is absolutely exceptional, they won't make much headway in an atmosphere like this. It is probably far better to go to the events where resumes and business cards are not allowed (or expected to be there) and learn more from the professionals in a low-pressure environment. Rest assured, if they're impressed, they will want your contact information somehow. If not, you still managed to learn a thing or two about the industry.

This ties into psychology a bit: The most successful relationships with people involve an information/skill exchange of some sort. Both people need to have a mutual interest and/or something to gain in order for a strong "network" between them to be established. This is true for networking with friends, classmates, and the CEO of a big company. Simply knowing an influential person's name will not get you anywhere, but being memorable in some way will greatly increase your chances. This is why you see people being hired at companies simply because an employee knows them well enough to bypass HR and refer them directly to the hiring manager.

Personally, I came to this revelation recently and have since been looking for various opportunities to have these information exchanges. I get the idea now that conferences, workshops, and extracurricular activites that tie into your career somehow are all good candidates for making this impression.

Some examples of these information exchanges:

• One of the students in a class I was lab instructor in was an engineer at General Electric, who was doing some academic upgrading. Maybe they will remember me in a good light and refer me to someone higher up, if I'm ever looking for a career opportunity at GE.

• While at an astronomy event, I met an engineering professional who used to work at SED Systems, and started their own company here in the city I live in. He learned a bit about astronomy, and I got some valuable information from him in a low-pressure environment, though I wasn't looking for a job and didn't push anything.

[Frizzle]

I have no need for networking so keep it all to a minimum. Which is a good thing considering how much I hate people.

[Melchoire]

Does it? In my experience, professionals at networking events are very guarded, due to being bombarded with lots of requests about the potential of being hired. Resumes and business cards are thrust upon them at every opportunity, which are probably later thrown out. They are there to keep appearances, but unless someone is absolutely exceptional, they won't make much headway in an atmosphere like this. It is probably far better to go to the events where resumes and business cards are not allowed (or expected to be there) and learn more from the professionals in a low-pressure environment. Rest assured, if they're impressed, they will want your contact information somehow. If not, you still managed to learn a thing or two about the industry.

This ties into psychology a bit: The most successful relationships with people involve an information/skill exchange of some sort. Both people need to have a mutual interest and/or something to gain in order for a strong "network" between them to be established. This is true for networking with friends, classmates, and the CEO of a big company. Simply knowing an influential person's name will not get you anywhere, but being memorable in some way will greatly increase your chances. This is why you see people being hired at companies simply because an employee knows them well enough to bypass HR and refer them directly to the hiring manager.

Personally, I came to this revelation recently and have since been looking for various opportunities to have these information exchanges. I get the idea now that conferences, workshops, and extracurricular activites that tie into your career somehow are all good candidates for making this impression.

Some examples of these information exchanges:

• One of the students in a class I was lab instructor in was an engineer at General Electric, who was doing some academic upgrading. Maybe they will remember me in a good light and refer me to someone higher up, if I'm ever looking for a career opportunity at GE.

• While at an astronomy event, I met an engineering professional who used to work at SED Systems, and started their own company here in the city I live in. He learned a bit about astronomy, and I got some valuable information from him in a low-pressure environment, though I wasn't looking for a job and didn't push anything.

I was more or less parrotting what every advisor has been teling us for the past 3 years. But what you said makes sense too and if I ever do attend something like that I'd probably just keep a business card on me and only offer it if they ask. But I probably won't, my plan for now is to make a good impression at my jobs so I have a place to go when I graduate.

[Bone]

I don't think Foursquare is for professional networking, if that's what you were getting at. It's more like Facebook meets Yelp.

[Kenderson]

I have lots of fun with Foursquare. It's fun earning new badges. Since I'm not really a professional / haven't entered the working world yet I just have a facebook and a personal twitter.

[idontknow951]

I don't think Foursquare is for professional networking, if that's what you were getting at. It's more like Facebook meets Yelp.

I thought foursquare died off along with all those other pseudo social networks.

[NapisaurusRex]

I have a LinkedIn for strictly professional stuff. My facebook is very small and very private, but there still isn't anything on there I wouldn't want my employers to see. My blog would be categorized as a 'mommy' blog. My twitter is pretty much Facebook and blog mixed together. Not strictly professional, but not embarrassing.

The networking I've found that really works for me is to make sure people know my name and face and then listen to the things they have to say. Like really listen to them. They aren't used to it (so it makes you memorable) and it also makes you look like you can focus and learn quickly. I've found a lot of internet networking is basically for employers to use to make sure you aren't a total idiot/alcoholic and for people going into specialized fields.