Unlocking the Networking Game

By Jody Bell

Let's address the elephant in the room: networking can be scary. I remember my first Girls With Impact networking event in high school – it was a one minute elevator pitch followed by networking with local professionals. With all the practice I did, the thought of pitching on a stage in front of a crowded room honestly didn’t scare me. Yet, the thought of shaking hands with strangers while trying not to spill coffee on my blouse was enough to make me reconsider a career in the corporate world.

All of the Girls With Impact students did an amazing job on their pitches, and after the closing remarks we were told to “mingle and network.” To be honest, the absolute lack of structure or direction baffled me.  I would stand there, in the middle of a full room feeling terrified, and yet I would look around and see people laughing, grinning, and looking like they were genuinely enjoying themselves.

Years later, and I am proud to say I am now one of those people who can confidently walk up to a stranger, shake hands, hold a conversation, and usually leave with a business card. Yes, I’ll be honest, I do still get nervous about spilling coffee on myself while trying to do so (and I have had enough spills at this point for that to be a valid fear.) It’s not magic, and while it may look like a natural conversation, there’s actually a lot of practice and preparation you can do to maximize your successes networking.

Here's your go-to guide on how to unlock the networking game fast.

Prepare, Don't Despair

Before diving headfirst into the networking pool, it's important to do your research.

Do you have a list of speakers or professionals who you know will be at an event? If so, get your detective hat on and stalk them on LinkedIn like it's your favorite pastime. Learn about their professional achievements, hobbies, and background. Maybe you know someone who went to the same college as your mom, or maybe someone coached baseball and you played all throughout high school. Whatever it may be, finding a casual little point you could bring up with people is a great way to break the ice. Just make sure you don’t sound like a total creep.

Of course, you also want to research their professional background. Out of the people you know who will be at this event, who might have the most in common with you? Did someone go to a college you’re interested in attending? Maybe they work in the biomedical field, which is an industry you hope to enter. Or maybe they are also a entrepreneur and you’re looking for general advice. Figure out what synergies may be present with each potential connection, and from there figure out which you want to prioritize meeting, and what valuable information could come from the interaction.  

The Art of the Elevator Pitch

By now you likely know how to do an elevator pitch – or at least about your venture. But what about yourself? Have you ever been in the awkward position where someone says “tell me about yourself” and you’re left stumbling over your words.

Well, try to figure out a 30 second elevator pitch for yourself. Start with your name and where you’re from, then state your interest(s) followed up by your current whereabouts in your education and next steps. For example, mine could be:

“My name is Jody Bell, originally from Connecticut though I just wrapped up studying Finance for four years in South Carolina. I’m interested in how we can enable investors to earn money whilst investing in renewable energy technology, and I will be working in New York City doing Sustainable Finance starting this summer.”

Of course, you want it to sound natural and relaxed, but you also don’t want to ramble or waste anyone’s time. Extra points if you can inject some personality into your quick introduction!

The Power of the Name Tag

Picture this: a room filled with professionals wearing name tags. Everyone has their name penciled in with no additional detail – not super informative nor interesting, right?

Well, what if you try and stand out a bit. Instead of just writing your name, you could write your name, followed by “aspiring ___(enter dream title here.) For example, mine could be “Jody: aspiring climate activist.”

Not only are you distinguishing yourself, but you’re making it incredibly easy for someone who is interested in a similar field to come up and speak with you (which is of course the goal of networking events.)

Small Talk: Playing the Relatability Game

Ah, small talk — some hate it, some love it – but when it comes to networking it’s unavoidable. Remember, the goal is not to necessarily dive in and have deep meaningful conversations at networking events. Instead, find common ground and points you can relate on, and from there, you can find synergies in a professional sense that may result in an exchanging of business cards.

Follow Up or Fizzle Out

When it comes to networking, it doesn’t end when you leave the event.

Remember those business cards you collected? Don't let them gather dust in the corner of your room. Send a follow-up email thanking the people you met for their time. If you don’t have a business card, try to find them on LinkedIn and send them a note along with your connection request (just make sure to personalize it and reference something in your conversation so they know it’s you!)

While networking may seem unstructured and like a bunch of adults who just elegantly maneuver through awesome conversations – that’s never quite it. Networking involves preparation, practice, and a touch of finesse. With some effort, I promise you’ll be on your way to networking greatness.

Jody Bell, 21 is Girls With Impact’s Editor in Chief and a program graduate from Greenwich High School. Girls With Impact is the nation’s only online, business and leadership program for girls 14-24, turning them into tomorrow’s leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.