The first time I attended a large financial institution’s information session at my university, I showed up in casual clothing and stood in the back of a sea of blue and black suits.
After an introduction speech all the employees spread around the room and crowds of students formed around them.
The room became remarkably loud and I had no idea what people were discussing. I felt so out of place.
Since then, I have participated in many more of these corporate social sessions and developed the following list of tips that can help in networking, happy hours, and corporate events.
Preparation
Good luck is when opportunity and preparation combine, and so before attending a networking session, it is important to be prepared. Here are three tips to keep in mind.
1. Research Key People
A little preparation can go a long way by giving you the ability to engage in deeper conversations and empowering you with a feeling of being prepared for the session. Prior to the networking session, use LinkedIn to learn about employees of the firm that you expect to meet. Take note of employees with whom you can easily establish common ground: similar backgrounds, majors, extra-curriculars, club affiliations, or other on-campus involvements. These kinds of similarities can be a great starting point for conversation, and instantly set you apart from the swarms of other students. This also gives you a clearer focus of a few analysts to target during the networking session.
2. Learn About the Firm
The purpose of an information session is to learn about a specific firm. However, this process can start before you arrive. Take some time to research the company, check out their website, and read a few business articles. Networking sessions are a great time to learn more about a company beyond what is already publicly available.
If you have done your research, you will be able to ask better questions and follow up questions. Here are a few general questions you might ask to get the conversation started:
- What do you do at the company?
- Walk me through a day in your life?
- What’s the most challenging part of your role?
- What is something unique to the firm’s culture that you will not find anywhere else?
- Why did you choose this firm over others?
3. Take a Nap Beforehand
Let’s be real. Social engagements require your full attention and energy. You do not want to be tired, yawning, and disengaged mid-conversation.
One strong piece of advice I was given was to take a 20-minute power nap before a networking session in order to feel fully rested and awake for the session. By following this simple step you will feel refreshed and pumped to chat with new people.
Meeting Employees
Once you are at a networking session, it is important to make the most of your time and to make a positive impression on the people you meet. Here are four tips to help you make the most of things.
1. Have a Firm Handshake
A firm handshake starts the conversation on a great note. It helps you create a memorable impression with the person you are chatting with. Practice with a roommate or friend to make sure you have a solid handshake.
2. Maintain Eye Contact
Networking rooms are busy. There are lots of on-going conversations, people moving around, and maybe some familiar faces. It is easy to get distracted by looking around the room, but it is very important that you focus your attention on whoever you are in conversation with. When your eyes wander during a conversation, you signal to the employee that you are not interested in what they are saying. As a result, they will be less engaged in the conversation, less forthcoming with valuable information, and much less willing to recommend you for an interview.
3. 1:1 time versus Clusters
It boggles my mind when students cluster around one employee when there are other analysts who are completely available. I have noticed a bit of a follower mentality at networking sessions where students simply crowd around certain analysts. This could be because they are closer to the entrance, or closer to the snacks. It could also be because students lack confidence, and feel more comfortable following the crowd. In this context, you need to remember the purpose of the networking session. You are there to learn more about the firm and form genuine connections with employees at the firm. That is why you should absolutely explore outside the main clusters of students. Oftentimes the analysts with smaller crowds, or no crowds, are simply enjoying a snack, and so you could easily strike up a conversation.
4. Hopping Around Conversations
The purpose of these sessions is to meet multiple employees at the company. It is perfectly okay if you leave a clustered conversation after chatting for a while. You can politely excuse yourself by saying “Thank you so much for answering my questions, excuse me I’m going to hop around to chat with another analyst.” People at the networking session will generally understand.
The bottom line
It is very easy to be overwhelmed by networking sessions. So many new faces in an environment that is formal and unlike what you may have experienced before.
Go to the session, even if you are nervous about attending.
If you need a goal, aim to form just one genuine connection at the event.
Zuhair Imaduddin is a labor relations student at Cornell University. He was a Product Management Intern at PNC Bank and is an incoming Innovation Development Summer Analyst at JPMorgan Chase.
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