Top Ten Things to Know Before a Speed Networking Event – By Shane Scoggins ’16
The business world is a highly competitive industry that relies on talent, goals, and the ever increasing bottom line to make the business work. These are concepts that can be taught in school, and hopefully applied later down the road in a career. One thing that you can’t learn in the classroom is—networking. As a business student at University of Portland, we are all aware of the coveted Speed Networking Events that take place once a semester in hopes of landing the job or internship of your dreams. For those who have not attended, our Speed Networking Events consist of several businesses in and around the Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco area that are selecting potential talent to add to their teams. It gives students an opportunity to pitch to potential employers their interest in the industry, and why they would be a good fit for that particular company. If successful, students can land internships on the spot. At the end of the day it is not always what, but rather who, you know. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 things you should know before attending a Speed Networking Event.
- Come Prepared
Suit? Check. Notepad? Check. Resume? Check. Coming prepared and presentable will set the tone of the process. A Speed Networking Event gives you a unique opportunity of 5-8 minutes with a potential employer to ask them questions and get down to business. The person sitting on the other side of the table will know if you’re prepared or if you’re winging it. Remember that this is about YOU, so do your best to impress them.
- Know Who You Are Talking To
Arguably one of the easiest, albeit forgotten, things to do is to look up who is going to be there. More often than not, you will be provided with a list of people who are attending. Doing a quick search on LinkedIn and learning one or two facts about this person’s career could be the difference between landing a job and getting rejected. The more you research the person and the company they work for, the better off you are!
- Be Upfront With What You Want
Are you looking for a full job? An internship? A date? Being upfront and honest with what you’re looking for will help the interviewer know if you are serious about the positions they are offering, and if you are the right fit. Remember this, you can’t be right for every position available! You have to be honest with yourself and your intentions in order to find the right position.
- Sell Yourself!
This is a networking event, so put your best foot forward and sell yourself to the employer. What makes you unique is your skills, experience, and personality. How will you stand out among your peers?
Ask Questions
By asking questions, you are showing your interest in the industry. Although it would be great if you could only talk about yourself, the reality is you are being evaluated and mentally scored by the recruiters who are there. Asking questions shows that you have taken initiative to look up their business, and that you are thoughtful in this process. Make the most out of your time there—it is limited!
- Research The Company
As required for all Speed Networking Events at University of Portland, researching the companies that will be attending will allow you to narrow down which ones you are very interested in, and which ones do not seem like a good fit. What are their values and mission statement? How do they align with your own views?
- Leverage Your Way Into An Interview
Speed Networking Events have a nice way of feeling nice and casual. That being said, this is an evaluation of you and your peers. Speed Networking should be taken seriously, and it is up to you to advocate for yourself. Your peers are your competition, so what can you do to secure an interview?
- Show Your Enthusiasm
You are young, intelligent, and the world is your oyster! Use this to your advantage. Employers like to see excited students who are ready to take on the world. Be one of these people! It makes the experience so much more enjoyable, and you might impress a recruiter with this mindset.
- Clean Up Your Digital Presence
This is an important one. Although it is fun for your friends and family to see you at #CollegeLife on social media, it is not fun for your employer. There are privacy laws that prohibit employers from digging too deeply into social media, but you may want to think twice before setting your Facebook profile photo to you holding a red solo cup. You’ll thank yourself later, I promise.
- Remember That Recruiters Are Just Like You!
At the end of the day, bosses and recruiters are just people. Talk to them with professionalism, respect, and kindness, but be relaxed! The job process is hard, but finding common ground and connections with people is what will help you be the right “fit” for their organization. These are people, not machines, and remembering that will take you places.