- Key takeaways
- What’s professional networking anyways?
- Key benefits of professional networking
- Effective strategies for building a professional network
- Maintaining and growing your professional relationships
- Overcoming challenges in professional networking
- Utilizing professional networking during career transitions
- Joining a professional network
Ahh, college commencement. It’s a unforgettable memory in every college grad’s lifetime. The excitement, the nostalgia, and let’s not forget – the undeniable anxiety of finding your first job!
Research shows that a college graduate’s first job after commencement impacts their earnings and career path even 10 years after graduation. So, what’s the trick to finding the right job after graduation? We’ll fill you in: it’s professional networking.
Professional networking is key to a successful career, especially for recent college graduates. Just as you nurture relationships with family members and friends, graduates need to also invest in building strong professional relationships. By building these connections, you can find the right job openings, gain mentors, and even stay ahead of industry trends. This guide will show you how to effectively network and offer strategies to boost your career right after commencement.
Key takeaways
Professional networking is essential for career success, providing access to job opportunities, mentorship, and knowledge exchange.
Engaging in networking activities, both online and offline, helps build meaningful relationships that can enhance your career trajectory.
To maximize networking benefits, focus on quality connections, follow up after meetings, and be proactive in providing value to your network.
What’s professional networking anyways?
Professional networking refers to the process of expanding your connections, knowledge, and job prospects through building relationships with other professionals. It’s a critical component of career success, leading to priceless benefits such as job opportunities, new business projects, and more. Actively engaging in networking activities (like attending in-person or online events) helps build a strong professional network.
Key benefits of professional networking
With the right professional contacts, alumni can cut down the length of their job searches significantly, gain priceless mentorships and advice, and even learn industry insights that can shape their careers for years to come. Here are some of the key benefits of professional networking.
Access to unadvertised job opportunities
Building and maintaining strong professional connections can significantly increase your chances of getting hired. This is especially important for recently graduated job seekers looking to launch their first career.
A well-developed professional network increases your likelihood of discovering unadvertised job openings, as many positions are filled through referrals. A considerable portion of job listings or business projects remain unadvertised, so networking is vital for discovering hidden opportunities.
Mentorship & support through transitions
Networking with experienced professionals can provide valuable mentorship and support during career changes. When considering a new career or just beginning one, you can lean on your professional network for the following:
Opening pathways to mentorship
Clarifying career paths and options
Highlighting the skills that are in demand for specific roles or industries
Connecting with contacts that have been in your shoes
Networking helps bridge the gap between your current and desired careers by providing access to experienced peers who can offer valuable suggestions and support during a career transition.
Up-to-date industry insights
Whether you’re trying to get a leg up in your current career, or just need other professionals to brainstorm with, having a strong professional network can be a game changer.
Imagine you’re faced with a new challenge at work, but there’s no one that you can turn to for advice. Who better to problem solve with you than professionals that have been in the same situation? Having a strong network of likeminded professionals can help you uncover solutions that you wouldn’t have considered otherwise.
A professional network is also mutually beneficial when exchanging innovative ideas and staying up to date on industry trends. The value of exchanging ideas with other professionals keeps you both growing, inspires new techniques or skills, and can enhance your creative problem solving skills.
Effective strategies for building a professional network
Building a strong professional network requires deliberate and proactive efforts. Successful networking isn’t about the number of contacts but the quality of those relationships. To create meaningful networking conversations, focus on shared interests and engage deeply with a few individuals.
Let’s explore some effective strategies for building a robust professional network.
Leveraging social media platforms
LinkedIn is a strong tool for professional networking, enabling users to discover potential job opportunities, track companies, and stay updated with industry trends. You can leverage your LinkedIn profile by reviewing connections and gathering potential contacts for outreach.
Aluum, a social and professional networking tool for college graduates, is another powerful tool for building professional connections via shared affinity to one’s university. Its features for finding jobs, searching mentors, and raising business capital make Aluum the best platform for college grads looking to easily find their first post-college career.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Bumble Biz, Lunchclub, Fishbowl, Meetup, and Guild also facilitate professional networking.
Attending networking events
Various types of networking events include in-person networking, virtual, and hybrid formats, encompassing career fairs, professional conferences, and webinars. To find networking events, use resources such as Eventbrite, ask colleagues for recommendations, and check college or university listings.
Come prepared to networking events by printing out your business cards (or having a QR code at the ready), preparing an elevator pitch, and being ready to engage in conversations relevant to your industry.
Joining professional associations
Joining professional associations and organizations can provide numerous networking opportunities. These professional associations exist for almost every industry and offer a platform to meet industry professionals, connect with job opportunities, and stay updated on trends. Some examples are:
The American Medical Association (AMA) for doctors
The American Bar Association (ABA) for lawyers
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for accountants
By joining a professional association, you’ll get access to networking events, industry-specific trainings, local chapters, and exclusive content that can help you get ahead in your career. Certain associations even offer memberships for undergraduate students, so be sure to look into these organizations during your job search!
Maintaining and growing your professional relationships
Building a professional network is just the beginning; maintaining and growing those relationships is equally important. Networking gets easier with practice, and regular engagement with your network ensures you’re keeping those connections alive and well.
Explore some practical tips for maintaining and growing professional relationships.
Following up after initial meetings
Following up after networking events strengthens new relationships and shows appreciation. Effective follow-ups help keep conversations relevant and demonstrate genuine interest. Timely follow-ups within 24-48 hours after networking events enhance the chances of forming lasting connections.
Follow up on social media or via email and share something interesting that you learned during the meeting. A personalized thank-you message can strengthen the connection established during the initial meeting. After all, effective networking hinges on forming trust-based relationships with mutual benefits.
Providing value
Speaking of mutual benefits, it’s absolutely crucial that new connections aren’t a one-way street. Even if you’re early in your career, there are plenty of ways that you can provide value to others in your professional network.
If you come across a job listing that might interest your network, be sure to pass it along or share it on social media. Sharing these opportunities can be beneficial for job seekers and hiring managers alike. Other ways to contribute to your network is by volunteering for projects, writing recommendations, and sharing or boosting posts that you find on social media. Just be sure that, if someone in your professional network goes out of their way to assist you, you’re returning the favor as best as you can.
Staying engaged and active
Staying engaged with your professional network is crucial for maintaining those relationships you’ve worked so hard to develop. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to stay active in your network, even from the comfort of your own home.
First, take advantage of opportunities for virtual networking. Virtual networking offers the advantage of flexibility, making it easier to host and attend events without geographical constraints. By attending virtual networking events, you can stay connected with other professionals in your industry while also expanding your professional network.
Next, be sure to stay up to date on your peers’ personal life. Follow your connections on social media and be sure to engage with their posts, or send the occasional message to catch up. If you’ve provided a recommendation or job referral to someone, be sure to follow up with them on the status of their job search. Celebrate wins (both big and small) when you find the opportunity to. Maintaining professional relationships isn’t just about being a person on a screen – it’s about showing up as a friend, too!
Overcoming challenges in professional networking
Building trust with your contacts takes time, and professional networking is a long-term investment. Networking can be challenging, but focusing on goals bigger than yourself can help maintain the right mindset and avoid burnout.
Let’s explore some common challenges and how to overcome them.
Networking as an introvert
Are you someone who avoids being the center of attention? Fear not – you can still effectively build your professional network.
First, be sure to get some practice in before diving into a bustling in person networking event. Practice your elevator pitch on family members. Build up your small talk muscle with co-workers or fellow students. Preparedness can be a great friend to any shy or introverted individual!
Introverts can start by engaging in smaller, more comfortable settings and gradually expanding their networking efforts over time. 1:1 coffee chats are a great way for a shy person to dip their toes into networking. Also, online professional networking or attending virtual events can be less intimidating than in-person events, making it beneficial for someone with social anxiety.
Let’s not forget that networking is a marathon, not a sprint. By focusing on quality over quantity, even the biggest introverts can build strong professional networks that support their career goals.
Time management tips
Want to avoid burnout? Be sure to manage your time wisely.
As a college graduate, incorporating networking into your daily schedule helps make it a regular activity, reducing the feeling of it being an additional burden. Use calendar tools to allocate specific times for networking, improving your organization and efficiency in one fell swoop. You can also use automated scheduling tools, like Calendly, When2Meet, or Doodle, which can streamline the process of organizing meetings.
Also, be sure to prioritize quality connections over the number of interactions. Don’t spend all of your time building shallow relationships — go deep into the ones that feel the most natural and easy to maintain longterm.
Utilizing professional networking during career transitions
Professional networking can be a powerful tool during career transitions. Whether you’re seeking career advice or identifying potential job opportunities, your network can provide valuable insights and support. Engaging with your professional network can help uncover job openings in new industries and highlight the skills needed for a successful transition.
Seeking career advice
Networking connects you with experienced professionals offering career advice and mentorship. Connecting with industry experts can help you identify opportunities, potential mentors, or business partners. If you’re uncertain about your career path, networking can connect you with professionals in various fields to make informed career decisions. Seeking career guidance and mentorship through your network can significantly aid in professional transitions.
Building relationships with experienced professionals allows you to gain insights into different career paths and make informed decisions about your future. By leveraging your network for career advice, you can navigate career transitions more effectively and achieve your career goals.
Identifying potential job opportunities
Including a variety of professionals from different fields in your network increases the chances of hearing about diverse job openings. Leveraging your professional network can be a powerful way to discover job opportunities across various industries. Interacting with various professionals provides unique perspectives and access to job opportunities you might not be aware of.
Actively engaging with your network, including following up and offering support, enhances relationships that may lead to job opportunities. By staying connected and maintaining professional relationships, you can stay informed about potential job opportunities and enhance your job search efforts.
Building relevant skills
Identifying the skills necessary for a career change involves assessing industry trends and job requirements. Networking can provide insight into what skills are valued in a new field by engaging with professionals in that industry. Through professional networking, individuals can access mentorship opportunities that help in developing the skills they need.
Ongoing networking allows individuals to continue learning about skill requirements and advancements in their target career field. By staying engaged with your network and seeking out opportunities for skill development, you can ensure that you are well-prepared for career transitions and future career success.
Joining a professional network
By leveraging social media platforms, joining professional associations, attending networking events, and maintaining and growing your professional relationships, any college graduate can build a strong professional network that supports their career goals.
For the college grad searching for the right job after commencement, look no further than Aluum. Aluum is a social and professional platform for building connections, staying connected with classmates, and growing your career alongside fellow alumni. Pre-register today to save your spot.
And don’t forget: though networking is a lifelong activity that requires continuous effort and engagement, it’s an investment that continues to pay for itself throughout your career. Embrace the opportunities it presents, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving career success.
