Career Blog
Most of the time, we as students – and professionals – have to deal with a lot of pressure. Having to go to work, making sure we get good grades, trying to spend some time with our friends and family. All of that can become overwhelming, especially while we are trying to figure out what we actually want to do in life. However, I believe it is actually good to not know where we will be in five years, or exactly what our professional journey will be like. In my case for example, I’m a third‑year accounting student, but four years ago, I saw myself enrolling in the nursing program, simply because I thought it fitted my personality better. And guess what, I picked accounting, and I love it.
For some of us studying business, being in third year means going through interviews and a lot of networking events. Well, by going over my interviews, I realize that the interviewers were not necessarily expecting to have someone’s personality matching the job. And guess what: your personality doesn’t have to match the job’s idealistic criteria. I got the opportunity to learn that by talking to people who had done a personality test like the ones they asked you to do while you’re in high school and even in elementary school.
When we look at jobs, we typically focus on things such as the job description, and we forget about few other things such as the social aspect of a job. This year, I had the chance take part in one of the Telfer Mentorship Programs. While talking to my mentor, I heard stories about his job as a CPA. He told me that he will always remember what his manager told him few years ago: « You are what I’m not, and what I don’t want to be, but the clients like you, and you’re bringing me money. » Quite shocking, right? But that one sentence made me realize that anyone can apply to any job, even if they do not have the « right » personality. They can still do amazing things.
Not knowing how to do something or what you will be doing in five to ten years can be stressful. Trust me: I’ve been there just like many of you. But we should all try to focus on this: what do we like, and how can we apply that in the future?
Want to learn more about yourself? Ask your friends, your family members, and your professors! You can also book a career-testing appointment through Career Launch.
Late Monday, I finally decided to attend a school‑hosted networking event on my own.
Just like a lot of students, I am looking to land a job in my field. One way to make yourself stand out is by networking. Unfortunately for me, when I wanted to attend a certain event hosted by a certain accounting firm I was interested in, all my friends ended up busy or uninterested. Without my friends by my side, it can be hard for me to navigate a room full of strangers or to start a conversation with recruiters. Nevertheless, I decided to push myself to attend this event anyway… and I learnt some things that I thought would be useful to other students who are going to be in the same position as me.
Here are three tips that I strongly recommend for navigating a networking event solo.
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Do your research.
If you have a few questions in mind heading into the event then it will make things a little easier when you are striking up a conversation with a potential recruiter. Moreover, if you know a specific company or person that will be there, be sure to research the company so you can demonstrate your interest to them. Taking initiative to do some research will ensure that you are putting your best foot forward. And if you are having a one-on-one conversation then having done the research prior will give you a larger variety of subjects to talk about since you may not have a friend beside you to add their thoughts.
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Approach someone who is alone.
An amazing way to become more comfortable in your surroundings at an event is to find someone who is in the same position as you. They are looking to make connections, so don’t hesitate to go up to them and introduce yourself: give them your name, your current field of study and your purpose for being at this event. After that, they will introduce themselves and from there, you can ask them a follow-up question. You can listen for little things that you have in common with them and they might even share extra knowledge about the companies at this event that you didn’t know before. If you go into an event where you are alone, talking to a fellow student that you don’t already know will help you warm up to the idea about walking up to the professionals at this event.
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Don’t stress.
Just remember to be yourself. Though these events can be intimidating if you are not surrounded with familiar faces, they present an opportunity to branch out and meet people you probably wouldn’t have met if you weren’t there alone. Speak with confidence, and be authentic.
Remember to relax: odds are there are many people at this event in your position and they are looking to make meaningful connections too. When it comes down to it, we are all unique students with diverse skill sets looking to find a job to flourish in, and networking events are a useful tool even if you are attending alone.
When a mentor first told me to “create your own opportunities”, I took it lightly, thinking that all opportunities open to me would be found through friends, colleagues, family or online. My mind could not wrap around the concept of those four words - I had always used and followed processes in order to give back to volunteer organizations, to meet new people, and to apply for internships. So far in 2018, I’ve had the chance to create a few exciting opportunities for myself, from getting a position at a high-tech software company, to developing and scaling Telfer’s very own Women in Management Network (WMN).
What I’ve learned is it’s not what you say, but how you say it. Being able to communicate your value in a way that promotes your skillset and highlights different achievements is one of the most important parts of the “create your own opportunities” formula. For example, my decision to switch into Human Resource Management in my final year allows me to gain competencies related to human capital, and is a benefit to my financial and accounting background which I studied over the last four years. With this knowledge in hand, I will now be a well-rounded businesswoman once I finish school and fully enter the workforce. Related to this concept is the concept of self-awareness: knowing yourself; your skills, interests and passions; and what value you can bring to those around you. If you’re aware of what you enjoy doing and you align it with your personal and professional values, you will be able to better select the opportunities that are a fit for you.
Another important part of the formula is your willingness to step out of your comfort zone. This is where change happens! Engage with the right people and situations – once the industry you’d like to enter is defined, take action and seek out networking events that bring together professionals currently working in the industry. Did you know that only 20 % of jobs are posted online? The other 80% is filled by word-of-mouth recommendations and people actively creating/seeking out these opportunities. By attending networking events, meeting like-minded people, and communicating your value (even as a student) you’re putting yourself out there and making it easy for people to find someone with your skillset and fresh perspective. Instead of seeking someone like you out, you’ve now appeared right in front of them!
The final point I wish to mention is staying open. Many of us have already created the ideal job or volunteer opportunity in our minds. However, rarely will our plans work out exactly the way we would like them to. Instead of focusing on exactly what you want, be open to the different ways this plan can unfold. By having a loose grip on this plan (knowing the what, but being open to the how, for example), you may spot opportunities that you didn’t recognize earlier.
Creating your own opportunities may seem daunting, but after you’ve done it once, it becomes much easier to do it again. Know yourself, communicate your value, engage with the right people, and stay open. By following these tips and keeping a positive and grateful mindset throughout your journey, you will start to be more aware of all the good things flowing your way!
One activity that many people find nerve-wracking, I find fulfilling – it’s networking.
As an extrovert, I enjoy sharing stories and experiences with new acquaintances, I’m energized by socializing, and I quickly come off as open, friendly and approachable. Sure, these qualities make networking easier for me as I naturally gravitate towards crowds and I find making conversation easy. However, there are other aspects to networking that are equally as important.
Here are my tips on how to make networking enjoyable, instead of a hassle:
Adjust.
Adjust your mindset and alter your beliefs on what networking is supposed to be. Many people view these events as high-pressure environments when in reality, networking is just meeting people. It’s about building relationships and developing yourself as a professional. Instead of going into the event wanting to secure a new job, you should take the opportunity to ask recruiters or people in the industry more questions about the role, field, responsibilities, etc. Find out if it’s really a fit for you. Not only does this show your interest and help you develop rapport with the right type of people - they will also remember you, which makes getting the job that much easier down the line. Personally, I enjoy attending events to discover more about potential career paths, to meet new people who may give me advice or help me at some point in my career, and to learn about new opportunities in my community.
Prepare.
Do your research about the attendees. Use LinkedIn to see who’s talking about what event. This can help you target the right people and make the most of your time at the networking event. Create relevant questions during your preparation phase if you’re worried about blanking out while speaking to a charismatic recruiter, or the CEO of a large company! Preparing in advance is equally as important as being physically present at the event.
Execute.
At the networking event, ask the right questions. Some of my favourite standard questions (in no particular order) include: What motivates you? What’s your favourite part of your job and why? How did you get into your current role? How long have you been with your organization? Are you a member of any professional associations? What’s the most important skill you believe is needed for a career in your field? What advice would you have valued when you were in the early stages of your career? If you took the time to prepare, you should have an idea of the type of people who will be at the event and should feel more comfortable when it comes to executing. In addition, ask for their business card before gracefully exiting the conversation, and make sure to thank them for their time and their insights. Once you leave, take one minute to jot down the main insights you retained from your discussion with the professional.
Follow Up.
Don’t forget to do this within 24 hours of meeting someone. It’s as simple as sending an email (which should be on their business card) thanking them once again for their time, briefly summarizing the main insights which you noted, and including anything you promised to share, like more information on the club which you’re part of at school.
The reality is, networking is an essential skill that all business students should be comfortable with. Not only will it help you build out your future opportunities, but it helps you become more comfortable with speaking about yourself, your skills, and your career goals - which can be particularly good practice for future job interviews!
Two great workshops that I recommend for facilitating the networking process are Let’s Talk Networking and Intro to LinkedIn, held by Telfer’s Career Centre.
Hopefully these tips will help you navigate the (not-so) tricky world of networking and relieve some pressure before you attend that next networking event.