One of the biggest fears amongst business students is the process of networking. This ranges from questions to ask, how to shake hands, and even what to wear. These were all things that I have thought about and was happy to have them addressed in the Business Career Passport Workshop: Networking and Business Etiquette. The main themes I got out of this workshop were to: learn why you should network, identify ways of networking, communicating your story, and present yourself professionally.
Learn why you should network, did just as its title suggests. In pairs we brainstormed reasons why it would be important to network and then shared our answers with the group afterwards. There were the more obvious reasons such as building relationships and contacts or impressing potential employers, however; there were also reasons less apparent, like learning more about a company in order to see if it is a good fit for you.
Prior to the workshop I thought my network was very limited, but identifying ways of networking helped me realize how wide my network already was and how to continue growing it. Specifically, I learned that employers are increasingly interested in a person’s online presence. A simple yet effective method for building a network is through LinkedIn, as it allows you to display your achievements and connect with those you meet in a professional environment. However, I learned that it is more important to form quality connections rather than having many weak connections.
One of the challenges with networking is the ability to stand out in the crowd and be heard. Communicating your story helps to build your “elevator pitch” so you have the opportunity to differentiate yourself. After creating our story we introduced ourselves to a stranger and practiced our pitch. With this activity we not only practiced communicating our story, but we also learned how to shake hands properly and how to merge into an already existing conversation.
Presenting yourself professionally is another important feature in networking. Wearing the proper attire is crucial, but so is your attitude. This workshop taught me that being scared or nervous would only hinder your abilities to network successfully. Instead, smiling and having a friendly demeanor will encourage others to socialize with you.
I found the workshop was not only fun and engaging but it also taught me how to network effectively and make a positive first impression.
You can visit Beedie Community to register for an upcoming Passport Workshop: https://beedie.sfu.ca/bba/career/help/workshops.php
Martina is a fourth year Marketing and International Business student at the Beedie School of Business. She is currently on her second co-op work term as the Social Media and Marketing Intern at Beedie, and previously completed a co-op work term at a Vancouver start-up as a Marketing Intern. Martina is also the Public Relations Coordinator for the Student Marketing Association’s Marketers’ Night 2015, one of the largest student-run networking events of its kind, allowing for students and professionals to mingle. When she isn’t working you can find her either watching hockey, practicing yoga, or drinking tea.