This is not a just one-way trip rather a lifelong networking process to grow your career
I don’t know exactly why other help me but let me tell you why I coffee chatted with some students in the past.
But my reason is I want to keep myself open so that I can learn from you. So I recommend you also let yourself as open as possible.
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[WeChat friend links]
I like people who are really curious and willing to go for the extra mile.
You are qualified today for coming over in the Friday night and curious about networking.
But how do I see curious people by just looking their cold emails or LinkedIn invitation. They are asking a good questions and actual did the research before sending emails. I will cover the 3 tips later part of the session.
[Screenshots] and examples
The most important factor is hope. I see you will become a lot better than now. I like people who has a growth mindset.
I’m sure you that all of you will have high hope today or tomorrow. But it is more important what the growth rate be in a year.
So now you know why networking and why people want to network with you.
Here is part explain what is networking and what is not.
I learned from watching Charlie Munger solve problems by working the opposites.
If you want to know what is networking, the first question to ask is what is not networking.
Networking is not just finding a job.
Networking is not about impressive others.
Networking is not making everyone like you.
Why networking is not just finding a job?
I know I just say it eventually end up an job offer. But please please don’t narrow yourself to network only when you are finding a job. It is the opposite of being open to possibility. Found a job is just one of the possibility. You may find a lot different thing through networking.
Networking is a way to say hello to the world.
From the other consideration, I don’t want you to set any expectations in mind. Setting any expectations to strangers is the best way to make yourself miserable.
So, I always have the following mindset while networking with others:
I am here to listen and learn from you. Anything you tell me is a plus for me. I am very grateful that you are meeting or talking to me.
Why networking is not about impressive others?
There is always always someone who are better, smarter, prettier or handsomer than you. So, you don’t need to put on a show to others. It is too much of a faking.
What I find help me networking is the following:
People always has one or more domain knowledge than me. I am all ear in front of them. I try to ask more questions or comments on their answers than giving a speech like what I am doing right now.
Why networking is not making everyone like you？
Neither you or I are Canadian dollar. So, making everyone like you is impossible and unnecessary.
Be yourself is enough. It is more sustainable way to keep a relationship, I mean friendship.
Now you know why we networking and what is networking.
Here is the how should we network.
One mindset and 3 tips
The mindset is:
We are all connected in some ways. I want to learn more about you.
What do I mean by that?
You are I are connected through this networking events. The next time if you see me in the offline, you notice me, that is something you can bring it up to method. This is how we connected.
You can understand it as how we are in common whether we have same hobby, or same idol groups, or watched the same raptors games, etc.
Previously, my favor was looking for Alumni. However, ever since I adapt to the mindset, I know we are connected not only limit to school but also a lot other interesting stuffs we can talk about.
Once you adapt the mindset, you are more confident talking to anyone who you want to learn more than before.