Etiquette Tip of the Week: 5 Great Places to Network in Person

[Check out these great tips from the folks at the Culture and Manners Institute on easy strategies for networking in person. We encourage you to sign up for their weekly email tips at http://www.cultureandmanners.com] – Law Career Services

"I filled out over 100 online applications and did not get one response," is a familiar complaint I hear from college graduates. 

We spend a lot of time in our lives applying for advertised job openings. But the truth is, nothing can sell you, like you, face-to-face, in person.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70 percent of jobs come from networking. The best jobs go to people who network and sometimes jobs are created for them.  So where can you network?

Five Great Places to Network in Person:

• Volunteer Events: Business leaders and community movers and shakers often chair volunteer events and projects, so volunteering is a good way to meet them -- and show off your skills.  If your social life needs a boost, stay out of the bars and off the dating websites (which only attract desperate characters).  Volunteering is the best way to meet nice people, because nice people volunteer.

• Toastmasters: I am in Toastmasters now, but I wish I would have known about Toastmasters in college. Toastmasters clubs are a friendly place to practice public speaking and leadership skills and a great place to network. There are Toastmasters clubs throughout the world. Visit several clubs and look for one with members who are business leaders. Visit: www.toastmasters.org.

• Trade Associations: Whatever your field of interest, there is a trade group for it and chapters nationwide.  There are often student discounts and members who would be thrilled to see college students at their meetings.  Interested in public relations?  Go to www.prsa.org.  Law?  The American Bar Association has a law student division: www.americanbar.org.  Just do an online search for your area of interest and "trade association." 

• Alumni Events: When I worked in New York City, I went to University of Iowa alumni events -- including fun gatherings in the middle of Manhattan where we watched Iowa football games on TV, networking events with all the Big 10 schools and more.  Stay in touch with the university after you graduate -- alumni clubs also offer access to alumni who want to help fellow alumni find jobs. 

• Civic Organizations: Your local Chamber of Commerce offers inexpensive access to events with great speakers and networking opportunities with business and community leaders.  Also look into your local Convention and Visitors Bureau, Rotary Clubs, breakfast clubs and check your local newspaper Business section for other events. 

If people get to meet you and see how great you are, why wouldn't they hire you?