Networking Like a Pro: Make Meaningful Connections without the Stress
networking
like a pro
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by: Allie McDonald, Northwestern Unversity School of Law
We’ve all been there. A crowded room filled with a hundred suit-clad law students, no more than ten overwhelmed attorneys,
and too many forced conversations to keep track of. Law school networking events can evoke a sense of dread, pressure, and inadequacy. How will I compete for attention? How I will impress the firm recruiter? What will I actually get out of this? And what, most importantly, will I do if there is an awkward silence?! These are all valid questions. But these questions will fall by the wayside if you follow these simple steps to create meaningful connections without the stress.
Choose Your Events Wisely
Law school myth #432: You Must Attend All Networking Events. If you’ve made it this far, you know there are a lot of things you supposedly “must do” in law school. Attending every possible networking event is not one of them. Instead of attending the attention competition described above, RSVP for more intimate events hosted by student organizations, individual firms, or professional organizations. A smaller setting will be less stressful and more productive, allowing you to make one-on-one connections with individuals and organizations that align with your interests.
Before the Event: Develop a Game Plan
Before you attend a networking event, take a few moments to think about your game plan. Follow these simple steps.
Set Objectives
Think about what you want to get out of this networking event. Do you want to learn more about a specific law firm, or a geographical market? Do you want to narrow down your areas of interest, or make a connection with a public interest organization? Pinpoint an objective before you enter the room and you’ll find the event will be a much more productive use of your time.
Do Your Homework
Research the law firms, organizations, and people who will be attending the networking event. It’s just like class: if you do your homework, you’ll be much more prepared when the professor calls on you.
Develop Questions
Use your research to develop a list of questions that will help you achieve your objectives. Do you want to know more about a specific practice area, the firm culture, non-profit fellowship opportunities, or what the day-to-day life of a summer associate is like? Develop targeted practical questions that will help you achieve your goals.
Think About "What's New"
If you’re at a networking event, you’ll probably be asked, “What’s new?” Most people give a closed-ended response: “Not much” or “I’m really busy”. Think about this type of response from the perspective of the person you’re talking to. Does it give that person any information about you? Is it likely to lead to further conversation? If you don’t give someone interesting information to build on, you’re cutting off conversation and missing the opportunity to make a new connection.1
“What’s new?” is your chance to make a memorable impact and develop a meaningful connection. Having a clear, interesting, and engaging response can mean the difference between awkward silence and a conversation that is both fun and productive. A great conversation can lead to a recruiter remembering how much they liked you, a non-profit offering you a fellowship, or an introduction to the person who has your dream job.
Take time before a networking event to think about what really is “new” in your life and plan a response in advance.2 Think about interesting tidbits or anecdotes from your school, professional, and personal life. Try an answer like one of these:
~“I’m working on an interesting research project involving a green energy program – the 9th Circuit is expected to rule on it soon.”
~“I’ve been dying to go to the impressionism exhibit at the Art Institute. Have you been yet?”
~“I’m running in my first 10K next weekend, for breast cancer research.”
Your responses don’t have to be exciting, impressive, or law-related. Mentioning the movie you saw last weekend, your spring break travel plans, or a social activity you are involved with, are responses that inspire further conversation and help people get to know you better. In the law school environment, where we are always talking about classes and interviews, it’s refreshing to discuss other interests. Your colleagues and the attorneys at the event will thank you (and remember you) for it!
Brainstorm Icebreakers
Approaching people you don’t know and trying to be a dynamic conversationalist can be very intimidating. Take it down a notch by brainstorming a list of icebreakers and “get to know you” questions. Icebreakers should be open-ended questions, requiring more than a one-word answer, and leading to interesting conversation. Follow up with “get to know you” questions, related to what you’ve learned about the person so far, to delve deeper into her interests. It can also help to jot down a few small-talk topics related to current events, books and movies, or news in the legal industry. 3 You can draw on these, as well as your “what’s new” answers to strike up interesting and memorable conversations.
At the Event: Make Meaningful Connections
Law school networking events are an excellent opportunity to learn more about law firms, practice areas, and job opportunities. It’s important to ask useful and practical questions like “What is your day to day work like in the employment group?” or “How do associates get their work assignments?” But it is equally important to distinguish yourself from the crowd by having memorable conversations and building personal connections. Follow
Quality Over Quantity
Networking is not about meeting as many people as possible and getting rid of that whole stack of business cards. Business cards are no good if no one can remember a thing about you! Seek to make a few meaningful connections, rather than many meaningless ones.
Making Meaningful Connections Without the Stress
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