Are you pursuing your bachelor’s degree? If yes, then it is high time to start making efforts to expand your horizon through networking. Needless to say, networking is no longer an optional tool for students and job seekers- rather it has become an essential aspect to ensure career (both academic and professional) growth and development.
Did you know a high percentage of job posts are filled via networking nowadays? In addition, jobs achieved via networking are high-paying and fulfilling in most cases. Moreover, professionals with high-level networking skills can expect to take their careers to the next level easily and quickly.
Some Easy-to-Implement Career Networking Strategies for College Students
Needless to say, networking might seem to be a cumbersome or daunting task for first-timers or introverts. However, the following strategies can make this difficult task easy for everyone.
Never consider networking as a strategy to make someone refer you for a job or do some favours for you. Instead, it should be seen as a golden opportunity to make strong relationships with some of the best minds in your industry.
Leverage the power of Networking Events:
One of the best ways to expand your network is by taking part in various networking events based on your interests and preferences. As a result, you can expect to reach out to and interact with various professionals in your domain.
Do not forget to participate in the extracurricular activities in your college to get in touch with the alumni of your institution. You can also leverage the power of various meetups or networking platforms online to find out whether any activities are available based on your interests or not.
If your institution hosts any special classes for the betterment of students, go for enrolment if it meets your requirements. You can also join campus clubs to interact with like-minded people and boost your social skills.
Take part in Conversation:
Introverts often find it difficult to socialize and improve their network. Are you facing the same issue? However, one of the easiest ways to get out of your comfort zone and start interacting with your peers is to start asking questions and listening to others.
Always try to ask open-ended questions to start a conversation. In essence, you need to aim at building long-lasting and meaningful relationships instead of only expanding your contact list.
When people would notice that you are an active listener and are giving your best effort in participating in the conversation, they would be interested in interacting with you.
Don’t hesitate to ask for Advice or Suggestion:
It is crucial to strengthen your presence in your network by taking part in interactions or conversations. Nonetheless, another excellent way to do that is to ask for help, advice, or suggestion whenever needed. Most people are happy to help others in their network, as it implies the importance of their opinion.
Do not forget to stay in touch with your network from time to time to improve your relationships with your peers and other professionals.
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