How does networking... work?
A few months ago I went to a job fair and I was just as bad at it as I was in parties in high school. I stood in corners and I didn’t talk to anyone about anything. I ended up only giving my resume to one company and they never called. I know they say “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” so how do I get better at networking?
I think it’s a good idea to start with the people you already have in your network. Surely you have some friends or family who are working or know people who are working in a field that interests you? Ask them for help. Maybe they can introduce you to someone who can talk to you about their experiences and give you their advice? Kind of like a real life in person version of jobcase haha
I found that volunteering helped me a lot with those skills. It was a great way to gain experience when I was unemployed, and make connections. And meeting new people was a normal thing, so it made me more comfortable with introducing myself to strangers and making friends.
I think at a job fair most people are probably as uncomfortable or nervous as you are. Have you tried striking up conversations with other attendees about random things? Like asking them what booths they’ve been to and what they recommend? This might be a great way to find a job fair buddy!
Get better at networking? First, accept that the people at the job fairs WANT TO MEET YOU!! No lie! They WANT you to come and talk to them- that's why they're there! I've worked a ton of job fairs and I can tell you that if I'm standing at my table alone, I'm feeling just as lonely as you are if you're holding up the wall. (And there's nothing better for a recruiter than to meet a terrific candidate - it literally makes my whole day... just ask my colleagues.)
Second, for better or worse, you need to PRACTICE. The good news is that you've already begun to improve your skills by attending the job fair. Keep doing that.
So practice your handshake, get yourself to the next job fair, be prepared to say, "Hi, my name is ... and I think I am a good match for your company because I've ......" and step right up to the booth.
And trust me, the more you do it, the easier it gets. Take names/numbers/business cards. Follow up with an email and/or call and explain again why you're going to be a great match for their job/company. Soon you'll have lots of connections and feel much more comfortable.
Let us know if you have other questions. Now go meet some people! :) Best, Marijoy
I often treat networking like time travel -- I go and I contact former bosses and coworkers to see if they can help me in my search. Sometimes you have to stretch way back. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes you really do have to face your worst fears and talk to strangers. The good news is that everybody in the room is there for the same reason - either they're hiring or they want to get hired. This isn't the high school dance, nobody's going to point and laugh and tell their friends can you BELIEVE that he actually thought he could TALK TO ME??? and make you want to crawl in a hole and die. They want to get a conversation going.
It's a shame that you had a "stand in the corner" experience because there had to be lots of people at a job fair whose job is to reach out and talk to people exactly in your situation and make you feel comfortable. Maybe inch your way closer to some tables or pockets of conversation? It really only takes one smiling person to make eye contact with you and start talking for the networking to begin. It's only painful in your head. Half the time these folks are going to want you to talk about you, and in a situation like that you should be your own favorite subject. You're what you know best, after all, and none of them know anything about the subject. It can be fun, if you let it.