How can you build a professional network as a new graduate?

Focus is an important thing, but hard for a recent graduate person. What is the most difficult thing in the beginning of your career is to know your goals, which career and with whom you should connect. My best council is to explore… try connecting with people you think are interesting and bring for them who you are, what differentiate you, ask for learnings they had in their careers… work hard in anything that can create a positive and learning experience for you. Having experience brings possibilities of connection… even if it isn’t the path you want for life… Be a sponge… learn from everyone, observe different abilities, styles, connections… craft your self by absorbing different people ways of tackling problems and solutions.

Make yourself an authentic person, seek a balance from real connections from business, fairs or other events, seek inspiration in social medias and business platforms like LinkedIn, seek mentors who tell you what they feel and see in you, and give you honest tips for you to thrive and develop. all actions together should serve the goal, why you want an larger network. Is it for your next steps, your opinions on certain topic, or like for me to constant grow with humus who are me think, grow and challenge?

As a change agent, I advocate for new graduates to strategically build a professional network by aligning their goals with purposeful engagement. Begin by clearly defining your career aspirations and then leverage existing networks, such as alumni associations and educational resources. Optimize your LinkedIn profile to reflect your skills and ambitions, actively connecting with professionals in your desired field. Embrace internships and volunteer opportunities not only for skill development but also as avenues for networking with experienced professionals. Foster reciprocal relationships by approaching networking as a collaborative endeavor, contributing to a culture of mutual support and shared success.

Don't underrate the value of professional associations. Some membership fees may seem steep to the new graduate, but are often tax deductible. If you're in a major population centre, look for associations that offer face-to-face engagement opportunities. In the workplace, volunteer to be involved in projects and meetings that engage with a broad range of clients and stakeholders. Whatever the context, don't be shy to invite people to one-on-one engagements, like catching up for coffee - as Juliana has noted, people you think are interesting, whether or not there's an immediately obvious reason to connect. Be inquisitive and courteous but not shy! And never think of (or describe) yourself as "just a graduate" - you're so much more!

As a new graduate looking to build a professional network, starting with a clear strategy and a proactive mindset is key. Some tips: 1. Identify Our Direction: Understand what we want to achieve through networking. Are we looking for job opportunities, mentorship, or insights? 2. Leverage Our Alumni Network: Our college or university's alumni network is a great place to start. 3. Attend Industry Conferences and Events: These gatherings are excellent opportunities to meet professionals and learn about the latest industry trends. What else? Seek Informational Interviews; volunteer; be genuine; follow up; stay persistent. Networking is about building mutually beneficial relationships over time; it’s a lifetime challenge and asset.

Applying for membership with Professional groups allows a graduate to network and meet up with industry professionals, peers and generally people from different industries to learn more and expand on your network

Take the advice from someone networking-net new… start now and start young. Networking should be added as part of the Highschool Senior Year curriculum so when you finish school you can have a better idea of how following the right people and learning from them will be guidance to strive in your future and professional life. You never now how much you will learn from getting in touch with experts on your field if you don’t reach out and share your experiences. The advice of experienced professionals are also lifelong lessons.

To build a professional network as a new graduate, optimize your LinkedIn profile and connect with professionals in your field. Attend industry events, join associations, and request informational interviews to gain insights. Utilize college resources, engage in online communities, and research contacts before reaching out. Actively participate in company events to familiarize yourself with potential employers. Authenticity and consistent communication are key to fostering meaningful connections for future career opportunities.

Researching your contacts is a foundational step in networking. The insight to highlight is the significance of a tailored approach. Understanding a contact’s interests and needs allows for meaningful conversations and deeper connections. This personalised strategy not only makes you memorable but also positions you as a resourceful individual in your network.

Create an ‘elevator pitch’ - practice it and seek feedback on the content from others. You only have one opportunity to make a good first impression and a confidently delivered, balanced, coherent and authentic elevator pitch will give you a good basis on which to build.

To effectively build a professional network as a new graduate, craft concise and genuine messages. Express sincere interest in the recipient's work, mentioning specific examples that have inspired you. Leverage shared experiences, such as alma mater connections or attended events. Engage on professional platforms, offer value by highlighting relevant projects, and request brief informational interviews. Follow up with gratitude to enhance the likelihood of establishing meaningful connections.

Crafting your message is about making a memorable first impression. The key insight here is to focus on brevity and personalisation. A concise, customized message that respects the recipient’s time and highlights mutual interests can open the door to a fruitful dialogue.

Express a genuine interest in the the organisation and demonstrate any relevant experience you might already have gained and how this could benefit the organisation

This can work in a couple of ways, really. First, you might come across an article or resource that could be useful to someone in your network. You can send a message with a link or attachment and say something like, “this reminded me of our conversation a few weeks ago. What’s your perspective on it?” Second, there might be a new development in an industry, a new piece of legislation, new technology, etc. you could reach out and ask for their insights on how that new thing might impact them and their industry. The important thing is to spark conversation on an ongoing basis, not just when you’re job hunting.

It can be helpful to get an overview of the people in your own network. See what topics connect you and your contacts. What are your common interests (professional and personal)? A regular exchange on topics that interest you and your contact will strengthen the connection.

Following up and staying in touch is crucial for maintaining your network. The insight is the power of consistency. Regular, thoughtful interactions, such as sharing relevant articles or congratulating on achievements, solidify relationships and keep you top-of-mind.

This doesn't have to be formal and can be done on social media quickly and effectively. It's about engaging and demonstrating your continued interest

Not just connecting is important it's equally necessary to follow up with your contact and make sure to show up at various events, webinars etc to mark your presence. You can share articles or maybe a job opening in their company where you're interested and would like to know more about that specific role.

Building a professional network as a new graduate involves attending industry events, utilizing social media, and engaging in informational interviews. Joining professional associations, participating in mentorship programs, and attending alumni events contribute to network growth. To solidify connections, it's crucial to reciprocate by offering assistance, sharing insights, and actively contributing to the success of others. This culture of giving back enhances the sustainability and richness of your professional network.

I believe we “Grow with our Giving”… of our time, resources and gifts. I am always encouraged when younger people that I work with, are so much more inclined to give away (volunteer) their time a lot easier for a Value or Purpose that resonates within them. This is a beautiful way to witness “Initiation and Inner Drive”, that becomes visible when put to the test. So my encouragement is to go out there and offer yourself, and experience the wonders of Life. After all, it is more “Blessed to Give” than to Receive. 🌟🙏🏼

Giving back and reciprocating is about fostering a culture of generosity within your network. The key insight is that networking is not a one-way street. Offering help or resources without expecting immediate returns builds social capital and leads to a more robust and supportive professional network.

As a graduate you are often closer to academia than most of the professionals in the field. Although you might lack experience, you come with the latest updates in the field or specific hands on knowledge of new methodologies especially through your thesis. People are eager to learn about that.

In expanding your network, It’s best to include a mix of peers and senior management or specialists in your field. Professional associations, Alumni and business clubs have been key throughout my career since graduation, and are most valuable when you put in the work to continue the relationships forged there. Mentoring programs can also help you access an expanded network. Don’t fall prey to the idea that you can just be good at your job, you also need to be known in your industry for your expertise to be given more opportunities beyond your current employer.

Put your hand up, don't keep your head down. While networking can be valuable, actually working with people builds strong, enduring relationships. If you have capacity, say yes to new projects, cross-organisational working groups or industry associations. Your co-workers in these groups can become advocates as they not only know you socially, they have worked with you.

Building a professional network is essential for career growth and opportunities. As a new graduate, you should attend industry conferences, career fairs, seminars, and workshops relevant to your field. These events provide opportunities to meet professionals, industry leaders, and fellow graduates. Be proactive, approach people, and engage in conversations to expand your network.

- Networking, as a grad, and in general, is key. When it comes to your chosen career path (role, and or industry), the first thing to do, is to join the industry bodies, and attend their networking events - These bodies usually have a regular need for volunteers as well. What better way to get to know those who could also turn in to your peers - Join a community group (there are plenty of unpaid community groups on LinkedIn, as well as paid group coaching). Mentoring and coaching is also a great way to meet people in your industry - Lastly, and importantly, get visible. Get involved in discussions on LinkedIn, as well as post things within your chosen field that you are passionate about.

To build a strong professional network as a new graduate, focus on creating a compelling LinkedIn profile and connecting with alumni and industry professionals. Attend networking events, seek informational interviews, and join professional associations. Volunteer, engage in online communities, and diversify your connections. Offer value through knowledge-sharing and consistently nurture relationships through follow-ups to ensure a robust and diverse network.

Networks don’t grow because of networking, they grow because relationships develop and keep connected. You don’t need a long list of contacts, a select number of really good links work - give back when you can, however that looks - time, contributing to something and be authentic!

Try to identify key sectors important for your professional development and build your knowledge to create the right network.

To build a professional network as a new graduate, start by connecting with alumni through events and online platforms like LinkedIn. Actively engage in industry-related discussions and events, both online and offline, to meet professionals. Gain practical experience through internships and volunteer work, using these opportunities to connect with colleagues and build relationships. Remember to be genuine and consistent in your efforts, as networking is a gradual and ongoing process.

Following up is a key aspect of building a strong network. When you meet someone online or at events, you normally exchange LinkedIn profiles. The next day, follow up with insights or parts of your conversations. It builds a stronger connection. Follow up a month later. Discuss the insights you applied and the challenges you faced. This approach deepens connections and shows networking benefits. Now everyone may not respond to your messages. But those who do respond become part of the network that works.

Donnez D’ABORD… plutôt que en retour : Cherchez en quoi vous pourriez rendre service à l’un de vos Contacts actuels, ou à l’un de vos Contacts souhaités pour l’avenir. Aidez autrui, gratuitement. Ou faites le avec une intention d’affaires… car en fait, il n’existe pas d’acte gratuit en psychologie. Autrui vous renverra (ou pas) l’ascenseur. N’aidez pas autrui uniquement pour un retour, cependant, une aide réelle crée ce que les Japonais 🇯🇵 appellent « giri », en clair, une dette d’honneur. Les relations se bâtissent sur des attirances et/ou des intérêts réciproques, ainsi que sur des « retours d’aide ». Souvenez vous en…