A fact of life is that no matter how high your GPA or how many extracurricular activities you put on your resume, there is no escaping networking events. As intimidating and nerve-racking as these events may be, they are the most necessary and useful way to land a summer internship or full time job. There is no better way to sell yourself to a company than by speaking on your behalf in person. You may go in having no idea what to talk to the representatives and recruiters about so here are a few starters.
Networking Event Dos:
- Have your 30-second pitch down pat. Why are you there? What interest do you have in what that company does? Make sure that from beginning to end your 30-second pitch has relevance to what inspires you to be at that networking event. The best way to go about this to start with who you are and what you are studying at Georgetown, then go into early experience you have (whether it be in the field or not) and end with what draws you into the field that company represents based on your previous job experiences. If you can sneak in skills you’ve acquired during your past experiences (Excel, SQL, etc.), always a plus. However, being that there are so many other people there, keep it to 30 seconds. For juniors and seniors being able to mention something specific the firm has done in the past 6 months and how it related to the department represented at the event is a great standout way to continue a conversation. Make sure you know what you’re talking about if you bring this up because you don’t want to sound like an idiot if all you can do is quote a headline. Lastly, people love to talk about themselves, ask the representative about their involvement and their career path that led them to work at X company. Again, this is a great way to make a personal connection that will enable you to stand out.
- To my freshman and sophomores: if you have absolutely no idea what you want to do with your life that is more than ok. You can’t even legally drink a beer, no one should expect you know your 5-year and 10-year career goals. However, this is not an excuse to say point blank to a recruiter “I don’t know what field I want to work in.” The best way to go about networking events at your level is to start with something along the lines of after I read this article in the newspaper or learned about this is class I was inspired to learn more about x industry, which is why I’m here, can you tell me more about what it is that you do….”.
- Bring your resume. Don’t flaunt it in a recruiters face. But ultimately you never know when you’re going to be asked for it. In fact, just last week I was at a capital markets recruiting event and was asked for it. I keep it in my interview folder in my bag. One of the best ways to set yourself apart from the 50-75 other students trying to stand out is to be prepared. This indirectly gets noticed by recruiters as you are someone who really wants to be there. Remember, the ultimate purpose of these events is to meet people in fields you want to work in and to eventually land a job. Make sure your resume has been reviewed by more than two people in the industry before you are ready to give it out(ask upperclassmen/family friends the career center and the career coaches we have at Georgetown)
Things to avoid:
- Be professional AT ALL TIMES. No matter where the conversation is headed never ever talk about inappropriate behavior (I’m talking about having beers at the Tombs while singing country songs on Monday night). Nothing says irresponsible like, I got wasted to Luke Bryan last night but would love a job at your Fortune 500 Company.
- With that being said being professional is not only reflected in your knowledge but also in how you look. Superficial, I know. But recruiters are looking for individuals who can look and play the part. Unless stated, it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. I always throw a pair of business heels and extra stockings in my bag just in case.
- Don’t try to be someone your not. The reps will see right through you. They’ve talked to hundreds and hundreds of students/ potential employees and it is so easy for them to see who genuinely has an interest in their job description and who doesn’t. If you don’t know something they start talking about, it’s ok to ask. Companies are looking for students who want to learn and who have a passion for knowledge. They don’t expect you to know every minute detail about their company’s operations but having a macro perspective is what you should be going for.
Further, I just want to point out that the more of these you go to the easier they become. Your first five are so uncomfortable you will get home and feel like you just blacked out the whole moment. But there is no better way to get better at something than to keep doing it while making improvements along the way.
Last but most important, follow up with the people you talked to, they are more than willing to help you along your career search process, especially Georgetown alumni. Our alumni network is one of the best in the nation. I cannot express how important it is to reach out through Hoya Gateway and get to know past Georgetown students and what they do. Always ask for a business card at the end of your conversation with a representative and follow-up within 24 hours thanking them and mentioning something meaningful you spoke about during the event.
All in all, be confident in your abilities and always be yourself. It’s the only way to get the most out of these events that Georgetown organizes for our benefit. Good luck this recruiting season!