Networking is an essential aspect of business and building a career. However, the term “networking” can stir up different emotions for people and can lead to reluctance to network, even after knowing how crucial it is to guaranteeing success. The “hidden job market” exists beyond Career Fairs, recruiting events, or finding the hiring manager on LinkedIn. Hear from one of W. P. Carey’s incredible MSBA alumni, Meghana Sridhar, as she shares her perspective and advice on the art of networking and the success she’s found beyond landing the job.
Here is what she shared:
The biggest thing I’m grateful for in my business school experience at W. P. Carey is being placed in rooms of opportunity. Opportunity not to show an impeccable profile and a promising career ahead but a mere chance to show I could have a pleasant conversation with someone and be remembered for it!
W. P. Carey, being ranked so high in the country for its Supply Chain department, was a platform for the richest of academic and corporate networking events. From every single conference, career fair, alumni mixer, & brown bag I’ve attended, I have an anecdote or two to share. It’s because I met people who shaped the way I think about careers and networking today that I will continue to remember them. I’m so grateful that the only way I can give back is by paying it forward to anyone who reads the following advice I have to share.
- Refuse to think you’re any ‘less’
Own your story. Every single person I’ve met, from the highest stature in a company or business school has instilled confidence within me. They’ve taught me that no matter where you come from, what matters is who you are, where you go, and how you make the best of what you’ve got to get there.
In a school structure, it gets very easy to compare ourselves with people around us but in the long run, it’s not going to help anybody. Be inspired, not intimidated. Look up to peers instead and learn from them – you have one thing AT LEAST to learn from the peers around you. Find a way to work together and push each other up. Remember, it’s collaboration at the top, competition at the bottom.
- Show up
You never know who you could bump into at the coffee counter! A little banter around why the vanilla creamer is missing could lead up to a whole conversation about how they made VP after a noteworthy career of a decade at your dream company.
Absorbing trends & happenings from diverse types of events always helps. From serving as fodder for your next ice-breaker, to making you a very well-rounded and knowledgeable professional, it can really be the cherry on top to your business school pursuits!
Keep in mind 3 important things:
- Initiate conversations with the intent of learning something from the person you’re talking to, and also leaving an impression with your story.
- Give them something to take back, too. Let your passion for the company or the industry or the work that you’re doing, speak for itself.
- There is an art of knowing who to talk to and how to start a conversation around a common interest. Know the profiles of the people speaking at events before-hand. Note their relevance to you and try to find common connections and interests. Find out if they’re connected to anybody else you want to be connected to, so that you can ask for it when the conversation happens.
- Master the art that is an elevator pitch.
Think of all the impact you’ve made in a company before and lead with that. If you’re a student with more academic experience than corporate, lead with the project that aligns best with the theme of the event or the position of the person you’re talking to.
Always, always mention what you want to do next, and what you want your career trajectory to look like. If you don’t know that yet, have a list of steps you’re taking to figure it out.
Either way, your drive to put one foot in front of the other to move forward will stand out.
- Always have a Call To Action
If you think the person you’re talking to has more relevant information to share with you, be respectful of their limited time at such an event and politely ask if you could speak to them over a coffee chat. Ask for their email or the best way to reach them. Don’t be pushy; your intent is to make a potential friend!
If you’ve spoken about your career goals or overall dreams, add a little drama by saying “One day, you’ll see me doing XYZ in this world” – saying something like this with a strong conviction goes a long way in leaving an impression on somebody – and ends up instilling a sense of confidence in you!
- Know what to ask / talk about
In this tight job market, the whole world understands that we need referrals. But it’s not polite for this to be the conversation starter. It can come in organically. Remember, these are industry leaders giving you time out of their busy day.
Here’s a tiny list to keep in mind:
- Be genuinely curious about their journey. Ask questions about how they got somewhere, how they navigated a hurdle that you’re currently facing, their company culture, and more. If you listen patiently to their story, they are going to do that for you too.
- Find topics of common interest. If they’re your school alum, that’s a great place to start! If they made a speech at the event you’re attending, take notes and point out something interesting from that in your conversation. These little details help!
- Take interest in the causes they stand for. See what they’re trying to change in the industry or in their company and give your two cents on that. This adds to the things they take back from you!
- Ask to be connected with different folks in their industry or company, in case their information is of less relevance to you. It’s always a good thing to ask, never be shy about it.
- If time and situation permits, strike a conversation around both your personal interests too – you never know how that might make you stand out, yet again! If you’re a marathon runner, chances are, they could ask you which is the best location to run at, and conversations could continue from there.
- Know that you need these 2: Mentor & Advocate
- Mentors advise you based on their past experiences since they have walked the path before you
- Advocates put their social capital on the line and bring up your name in a room of opportunity
Everyone starts out to be a mentor to you. It takes time and effort to sustain that relationship and take it till the point they become advocates. When they do, you know you have promised value to them.
Remember, networking is a two-way street. It’s going to be a hit or a miss, but you at least practiced your elevator pitch if it was a miss. You at least gained more confidence to start a conversation with a stranger. It’s really the stuff of legends, so pat yourself on the back, anyway!
What’s the worst that could happen? People say no; people move on, but you’re on the right path and an appropriate opportunity will present itself sooner than later.
If it’s a hit, you’re going to need more hits, so keep the conversation going over the right mediums and bring up more things to talk about. Ask more inquisitive questions about their company, how they hire and so on. Ask them for honest feedback on your profile and how you could fit in their company. More importantly, navigate the idea of how much more value you can keep giving them.
Meghana Sridhar, MSBA ‘23
