7 networking tips for Generation Y
September 10, 2007 | By Rebecca ThormanEveryone hates networking in the beginning. It feels unnatural after we’ve been spoon-fed our friends in high school and college. Nevertheless, I forced myself to go to networking events a few years ago because my boyfriend at the time told me that I didn’t have enough friends. That was the same one who told me I was boring. Quality, I know. But he was right. Honesty hurts:
1. Talk to boring people. Generation Y has the habit of being easily distracted. We defined attention deficit disorder. But that’s not the way life works. You can’t look over the other person’s shoulder. You have to be genuinely interested; you never know who will be useful towards your goal.
Some of the smartest and most successful people purposefully stay under the radar, and if you’re constantly scanning the room, you’ll miss them. Instead, treat each person like they are the most important person in the room. Make sure they have your full attention. Then pat yourself on the back when you discover the diamond in the rough.
2. Say what your dreams are. You’re an accountant, but you really want to be a musician. So, when people ask what you do, say that you’re a musician. The world conspires in your favor when you put yourself out there. I promise.
3. Meet before bedtime. Snookie Jaguar and I met last week, and he made a good impression on me. All the more so because it was 11:00 pm on a Wednesday night, and I was still wearing the same thing I had put on at 7:00 am. I met Snookie about an hour after a meeting with a local politician, and a few hours after a happy hour meeting. In other words, it was well after I had started my work after work - the kind that begins when I close the screen of my laptop.
Late-night is the new meeting time. Deals have always been made outside of working hours, and that is particularly suited towards Generation Y. We work all the time. It would be a mistake to think that work begins at nine and ends at five. If you want to get ahead, nine to five means nothing to you.
4. Heart your waiter. Act like you’re serving the waiter instead of the other way around. Smile, be overly polite and ask for their opinions and recommendations. People watch your behavior around wait staff closely, and many judge you specifically on the interaction you have with the waiter.
Don’t forget to give big tips. Twenty percent (not just fifteen) is a good rule, even if the service was horrible. People always glance, albeit discreetly, to discover how much you’re giving. Be generous.
5. Sober up. At your next happy hour, order a non-alcoholic drink. I don’t drink pop, so I usually just order water. People don’t notice. What they do notice is the lawyer in the middle of the room, swaying in a little too close to his talking mate. Entertaining as it may be, you are forming your reputation and it’s best to keep your tolerance level, however high it may be, a secret.
In one of the many interviews for my new job, the interviewer talked about how he would prefer to take applicants to the bar across the street to discover who they really were. There’s something about a restaurant and bar environment that makes you act differently. That’s the reason people do deals over meals and drinks. You show who you are involuntarily. Outside the office is where people will decide if they trust and like you.
6. First in, first out. Be the first one to call and set up a meeting. Then be the first one to send a thank you letter or email at the end. It shows that you can take initiative, that you’re effective, thoughtful, detail-oriented, and responsible. It’s a successful interview without having to get dressed up.
7. Fake being well-connected. Visit the best hair dresser in town, at least once if you can’t afford it regularly, so you can refer others to him. The information you will glean from your thirty minute appointment will be reason enough.
Or maybe you know a personal trainer, chiropractor, banker, interior designer, realtor, or day spa owner. Whatever. Just pick a few and have them ready to pull out of your pocket so that others will think you are well-connected. The up-and-comers will be grateful for the recommendation and the connected will have the impression that you’re already in their circle.
Great suggestions. Thanks for writing.
Comment by Sam Davidson — September 10, 2007 #
Networking is an interesting animal, for sure.
I’d add to this to get involved in a professional organization of some sort. Then, get a leadership role and dig in. Find one where all the movers and shakers are in your field or industry, and shine. Then, you won’t have to fake your connections. They’ll be real. And powerful. And empowering.
Comment by Tiffany — September 10, 2007 #
Rebecca:
Can I have one Gin & Tonic before I discreetly switch over to water???
Comment by Ryan Paugh — September 10, 2007 #
@ Sam - glad you enjoyed them!
@ Tiffany - these tips already assume that you’ve gotten off your butt and have made the giant leap towards networking commitment. These tips aren’t about how to find networking opportunities, but how to make the best of them once you’re there. Of course, you’re right, being involved in a professional organization (like this one is crucial. Hopefully everyone knows that by now!
As far as faking connections goes, I’m going to stick by my suggestion. Even if you have some real connections, to have some good service people in your pocket is extremely helpful. People will trust you if the referral works out, and also, if you bring up the big names of your other connections, people often get weary. Bonding over the same hair dresser is an easier way to get a foot in the door.
@ Ryan - No. Not unless you’re in a mafia meeting.
Comment by Rebecca Thorman — September 10, 2007 #
My networking trick is this: if I can, I get a list of the attendees ahead of time, if I can’t, I get there early to scope out the group. Then, either from the list or viewing the group, I pick three or four people to say hello to, either because of where they work, how they look/present themselves, etc. I talk to them, get a card, and email them the next day to make a coffee date. Not everyone has time, but I’ve made some really good connections that way, and people know I’m not a flake who just circulates at events.
Comment by Kate Hutchinson — September 10, 2007 #
It sounds like you work for a public interest group, all the polipeople you work with. A friend of mine from Ohio was with a PIRG group, worked under a director of sorts - was a self-proclaimed super canvasser - but stopped working with them for lack of direction, disinterest in HIM as a resource. Overworked and unloved.
You’re obviously in a GREAT position to network and talk to key people that SEEM like they can make a difference, but only if you pester them a lot.
What about the people that so badly don’t want to work at Subway; this would seem impossibly out of reach for them. Clearly, if you’re working at a service, you’re not blogging and such, and doing so so close to work.
In which case I like the #7 recommendation.
Sometimes I fake I’m not well networked, cause I get cocky around my friends. then AGAIN, being narcessistic helps, right!!
Comment by Torbjorn — September 10, 2007 #
@ Kate - that’s a great tip. I never thought about getting a list beforehand… as far as clothes go, some really successful people don’t dress nicely (although you should always be nicely dressed!) Just keep that in mind.
@ Torbjorn - I work for this young professional organization . Working for a public interest group would be hard. Non-profit work in general is “overworked and unloved.” You have to have a passion for what you do and figure out how to get what you need and want.
As far as people who are in a position that they don’t want to be, networking is the first place to start to get out of it. Its where you hear of openings first, and you never know the connections you might make.
And yes, I would never smother your narcissism!
Comment by Rebecca Thorman — September 10, 2007 #
I’m literally relieved to hear that you don’t work in Pub Interest.
and going retro: congrats on your new job.
Comment by Torbjorn — September 10, 2007 #
Funny you should mention #5. I’m actually meeting a potential business partner over dinner in a couple days. Hopefully we will decide we can trust each other over this meeting and decide to move forward in our partnership.
Comment by Deron Sizemore — September 11, 2007 #
My best networking tip: Help someone else. Networking is about doing and helping others — your coworkers, friends and family — and will show that you are willing to work just through asking. That builds great positive opinions about you.
Comment by Scot Herrick — September 11, 2007 #
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