24th July, 2017
Why networking is the same as going for an interview
Would you ever show up at a job interview in jeans and a t-shirt with no idea what role you’ve applied for? Of course not! When you’re on your job search, you should treat every networking event with the same level of seriousness as you would a job interview. After all, you never know when a contact you make will lead to an actual interview.
You (hopefully) wouldn’t walk into an interview without doing a lot of preparation beforehand, such as practicing interview questions, looking over the CV and cover letter you sent in, and researching who’s going to be interviewing you and what that company does. Going to a networking event requires the same level of advanced prep. Practice how you’re going to pitch yourself to new contacts, as well your answers to questions about your career goals or job search that someone might ask.
Dress and act appropriately
If you wouldn’t go to a job interview in your oldest longyi that has holes in it, then you shouldn’t wear that to a networking event either. Additionally, you should be careful of your manners, make eye contact, and firmly shake hands when introducing yourself, just like you would with an interviewer. A networking event can be a dress rehearsal for a job interview, so present yourself like you would if you were going to an interview.
You can’t take up all of people’s time
HR managers are busy people who usually have several interviews lined up in one day. Although it would be great to be able to speak to an interviewer for hours, that’s just not possible because they have a lot of other things to do. The same goes for people you meet at a networking event — everyone wants to chat with lots of people, so don’t try to monopolize one person’s time throughout the entire night.
Don’t lie
You should never lie at a job interview about your past experience, and the same is true for networking events. While it might be tempting to try to make yourself sound more important in front of strangers, if anyone finds out the truth, then that could severely hurt your chances if you ever decided to apply for a job at the company where the person you lied to works. Similarly, just because you get people’s contact info at a networking event, that doesn’t mean that they’re now your best friend. Don’t call up the HR manager at that company and say “Person A gave me your name and told me to call.” They will eventually find out that Person A did not tell you to call, and you’ll have burned that bridge.
Follow up afterwards
After you’ve finished an interview, you should always shoot the interviewer an email thanking them for their time and a few short lines about why you’re interested in the position. Similarly, if you get advice and/or contacts from someone at a networking event, then you should always follow up. Whether it’s in a thank-you text, email, or call, let them know that their suggestions were really helpful and that you appreciated them taking the time to talk to you. If you don’t follow up and there comes a time when you need their help (again), then chances are they’ll remember how you just used them the last time you talked.
Don’t be shy
During an interview, you need to sit up straight, make eye contact, and answer the interviewer’s questions with confidence and charm. The same thing is true for networking events. Even if you are naturally a shy person, you need to force yourself to talk to lots of people and make contacts. Don’t wait for people to approach you; go and introduce yourself first. Everyone wants to meet managers and directors with lots of power, which means you need to stand out from the crowd so that they’ll remember you. Don’t act pompous or loud, but be assertive and act like a leader.