Networking- a word we hear over and over again as business students. Its importance is stressed to us by our professors and peers, but ways to do so are not always explained. I decided to interview my mom, Andrea Riggs, for this article. Andrea is currently a Senior Strategic Account Executive at Akamai, a company that provides security performance enhancements to top brands. After just one year, her sales performance ranked in the top three of the entire company. With 25+ years of experience as a woman in the business world, she has some key tips to help our members network better.
1. Perfect your LinkedIn profile
Networking on this site is all about making sure you have a complete profile. This means including everything from your personal interests to your past internships. There’s nothing too small to put on there because you never know who it could connect you to.
2. The Common Denominator
When networking, be careful to avoid simply bragging about your accomplishments. Instead, explain how those accomplishments supported a personal goal or interest, so that way people can relate to you. When people search on LinkedIn, you want them to be able to relate to you in one way or another: using common denominators.
3. Use Job Expos and Career Fairs to Your Advantage
There are so many opportunities available to young people entering the business world. So soak it up! Get out there and meet people; you can only gain from these experiences. You truly never know who you’re talking to, so introduce yourself and you’ll be surprised to the doors that end up opening.
4. Connect with Alumni
Andrea went to the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and still to this day networks with fellow alumni. As an alumna, she is always more than happy to guide or help out any UNH student. So reach out to your Hokie alumni! You have such a vast and supportive network right at your fingertips, so go ahead and email CWIB alumni. I’m sure they’ll be excited to hear from you!
5. Know Your Stuff
With your internships this summer, do your research beforehand. If you happen to run into someone important in the company on your lunch break or at an event, you’ll want to know what they look like and what the company stands for. Don’t just be there to boost your resume or earn money; take the time to really educate yourself and be invested in the company. This will give you a leg up and will truly create a lasting impression on people you encounter.
So there you have it CWIB! These were just a few tips, but hopefully they have you feeling prepared as you engage in different business opportunities throughout your college career and professional life afterwards.