Elevator pitches provide the structure to be compelling, clear and efficient. Sharing a compelling elevator speech will mobilize others’ to surface career connections and opportunities.
The best way to become comfortable in networking situations is to practice. You may feel awkward at first but, like exercising a muscle, over time, it will become easier, and networking will cease to be a daunting task.
Remember, if you’re not networking, you’re not working. Continue to build strong credibility, expand your current list of contacts, and build relationships.
Research meetings occur in your networking journey when you are seeking information about a specific job, industry, or profession. These types of meetings are ideal if you’re a recent college graduate deciding which career direction you want to pursue or if you’ve decided to change careers and need more information before (and while) you take the plunge.
At this point in your journey, you’ll be initiating advice meetings. These sorts of meetings are good to do always, and they are especially important if you are looking for a job, or thinking of switching careers or industries.
The art of networking is not about asking people for jobs, but rather gathering advice, information, and outside contacts from people with more experience than you or who are in the same field you’re interested in.
