Top Ten Ways to Network at Business School
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Vivian is a GMAT Tutor for Grockit. Visit Grockit for more test prep advice. |
A good GMAT score and a great graduate school application are the biggest hurdles to getting into the Best Business Schools, but once there, how can you use the resources of your dream school to further your career? After all, your first job out of graduate school is likely to come from a referral of some type, and won’t be based on your good GMAT score at all. Here are ten ways to make the most of your experience outside the classroom to get you that much closer to your dream job!
- Create a target list. What companies do you want to work for when you graduate? If you want to become an entrepreneur, what field interests you most? Create a list of people you’d want to work for and update it regularly. In two or three years you can start to target them directly, essentially creating a “soft” contact. By the time you graduate, you should be on everyone on your list’s radar.
- Don’t be shy about asking for what you want. If you really need something from someone to help you career, a letter of recommendation or a contact name/number, don’t be shy about asking faculty, visiting alumni, or other students. Everyone’s in B-school to hustle!
- Ask questions. People like to feel important, and if you go to networking events and just talk about yourself all evening, you’ll put a lot of people off. Spend more time listening than talking. You’ll learn more, and make a more favorable impression.
- Go to events where you don’t know anyone. It’s hard to show up somewhere and have to make new friends, but don’t only attend networking events with your new close buddies. Branch out! Make yourself practice striking up conversations with strangers – it’s only awkward if you let it be!
- Track your contacts. Create a system, either in a spreadsheet document like Excel or in hardcopy, to write down everyone you meet that you’d like to keep in contact with – send them an email at least once a month talking about your progress and asking them what they’re up to.
- Take your professors to coffee. Outside of the classroom and office hours, try to build a closer relationship with your professors by asking them to sit down with you so you can pick their brain. Tell them you’d like to hear about their personal experience in the business world, and hear what led them to teaching.
- Start your own networking group. Especially if you’re planning to be an entrepreneur, create your own networking group at your school. Put on mixers and fun events. This will serve two purposes – you’ll meet a lot more of your classmates, and you’ll become known at your school as a go-getter!
- Choose 3 activities that align with your field. Don’t join every single group on campus – you won’t be able to keep up with them all, but three select groups that truly interest you will build your resume and expand your contacts. This is also a great way to connect with students who are in your school but not in any of your classes.
- Don’t be a suck-up. No one likes to be buttered up, and disingenuous people rarely excel at networking. When you interact with your contacts, be as grounded and real as you can. Passion is what drives most b-school students, so share your authentic ambition. Be thoughtful, but not fake.
- Get professional business cards! What would your ideal business card look like? Keep it simple and professional – no crazy designs or colors. A small picture of you (looking professional!) might be a nice touch, especially if you want people to remember your face.
