Cocktails in castles; cheese in design houses; gluten-free pancakes: networking events in Victoria are never a bore. Whatever your academic major or personal interests, there is something out there for you.
All you need are these six tips to get the most out of the networking experience.
1. Prepare an elevator pitch about yourself: roughly 30 seconds, containing your name, your academic program and major, your background, and what you’re interested in doing after graduation.
2. Dress professional, but appropriate. A three-piece suit that looks smart at a Chamber of Commerce event may look silly at an informal cafe breakfast.
3. Never disappear from a conversation. You’re not trying to top Houdini. Always leave by saying something along the lines of, “Nice talking to you,” and shake hands.
4. Ask for a business card. The point of a networking event is to make connections. You can end your conversation with, “I’d love to hear more about how you built your marketing plan,” or “I’d like to discuss this further,” and then follow with, “Do you have a business card?”
5. Be yourself: it sounds like advice from a big purple dinosaur on a Saturday morning cartoon, but it’s probably the best piece of advice you’ll ever get.
6. Follow up. Try to contact people within two to three days after an event. Remember, these are industry professionals who possess invaluable knowledge and experience. Creating a contact means creating an opportunity.