19 great ideas for how to make networking easier, more effective, and even more fun! Whether you're looking for a job or trying to get ahead at work, these tips will transform you into a networking master.

1. 19
TIPS THAT WILL
MAKE YOU A
NETWORKING
MASTER

2. You’ve heard that
NETWORKING
is important.

3. To get
JOB leads
FIELD
To meet new CONNECTIONS
To learn about your

4. But, we know:
NETWORKING
can be intimidating and hard.

5. EVENTS?
What do I DO when I’m there?
How do I START conversations?
When should I FOLLOW UP?
How do I find

6. Don’t worry.
We’ve got the tips you need to become a
NETWORKING
MASTER
in just a few minutes.

7. Let’s get
STARTED.

8. 1
YOU CAN FIND EVENTS
ANYWHERE
Your
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
PROFESSIONAL groups
INDUSTRY conferences
MEETUP.com

9. 2
…OR START
YOUR OWN
INVITE THREE FRIENDS,
ask them each to invite three friends, and
meet at a bar or someone’s home.

10. 3
BRING TONS OF
YOUR CARDS
PLUS A PEN
so you can to jot down notes
for each person you meet

11. WEAR SOMETHING
THAT MAKES YOU
FEEL GREAT
Check your COAT
Wear COMFORTABLE shoes
Don’t bring a large BAG
4

12. 5
SET A GOAL
FOR EACH EVENT
Like…
MEET 5 new people
LEARN something new
Start 3 CONVERSATIONS

13. SEE WHO’S COMING
AHEAD OF TIME
SEE WHO’S TWEETING
or check the invite list
6

14. 7
GET YOUR
ELEVATOR PITCH
READY
JOB TITLE and company
+ What that means in LAYMAN’s TERMS
+ WHY you love it
Your

15. 8
START AT THE
BAR OR BUFFET
It’ll give you a chance to
scan the room before
DIVING IN

16. 9
HAVE A FEW
CONVERSATION
STARTERS IN MIND
BEEN HERE before?
How’s the SHRIMP?
This VENUE is beautiful.
Have you

17. 10
LOOK FOR FOLKS WHO
ARE ALONE
THEY’LL BE HAPPY
to have someone new to talk to.

18. 1
1
ASK OPEN-ENDED
QUESTIONS
“How’d you GET STARTED?”
Not, “How long have you worked there?”

19. 12
DON’T BE AFRAID TO
OPEN UP
JUST RELAX,
tell stories, and be yourself.

20. 3
1
TRY TO FIND
COMMON
INTERESTS
“What PROJECTS are you involved in?”
“What are you into OUTSIDE of work?”
“Have you BEEN to these things before?”

21. 14
USE A NON-AWKWARD
CLOSER
“IT’S BEEN SO GREAT
chatting with you, but I have
a few more people to connect with.”

22. 5
1
GET EVERYONE’S
BUSINESS
CARDS
JOT DOWN NOTES
about the person, his or her interests,
and your conversation.

23. 16
FOLLOW UP
WITHIN 48 HOURS
WITH A FRIENDLY EMAIL
mentioning something memorable
from your conversation

24. 17
STAY
IN TOUCH
On LINKEDIN or TWITTER
at other EVENTS
or by sending ARTICLES & RESOURCES

25. 18
MAKE TIME
TO CHECK
IN WITH PEOPLE
EVEN SCHEDULE IT
on your calendar
every week or month

26. 19
GET EVEN MORE
PRO TIPS
AT THE MUSE
Take our 7-day class,
BECOME A NETWORKING MASTER
at themuse.com/classes

27. BROUGHT TO YOU BY
themuse.com/classes