Four Essential Networking Tips for Beginners

Written by Linda Harvey 

Make connections using the same advice our job counselors give to TWB Team Members. 

Making professional connections is important for anyone who wants to advance their career and seek out potential employment opportunities. If you’re new to networking, don’t look at it as being too pushy or needy – rather, look at it as a useful way to communicate your interests and skill sets to others.

Here at TWB, Team Members attend sessions where they learn how to network and present themselves. They also work with their volunteer Job Counselors and Hanna, TWB’s Alumni Engagement/Workforce Development Specialist, to fine-tune their communication skills so they are less nervous and more confident during the job search. 

“Networking isn’t just about impressing others — it’s about creating opportunities for collaboration and mutual support…don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” advises Carleigh, TWB Job Counselor.

Here are four ways you can be your best when networking and making professional connections: 

1. Prepare a 30-Second Commercial 

You don’t always have a lot of time to present yourself, so preparing a “commercial” or “elevator pitch” is a brief but impactful way to share your professional and personal skills. A thirty-second limit forces you to hone in on what you want to say and what you need to get across to the other person.

During TWB programs, Team Members draft and practice their 30-second commercials on each other and receive feedback, refining them as necessary. Hanna notes they use the same concept — or selling points — as they would talking about TWB baked goods to customers, turning “Can you tell me about TWB’s product and why I should buy it?” into “Can you tell me about yourself and why I should hire you?” 

Your pitch should include: 1) a greeting; 2) information about your experiences, interests, and passions; 3) your strengths and examples of them; 4) your goals; and 5) why you want to gain further experience. 

Both Hanna and TWB Job Counselor Carleigh recommend practicing your pitch multiple times before you go to a job fair or interview, even if it’s just in front of a mirror.  

“It’s important to be authentic and to be true to yourself,” says Hanna. “Share but don’t overshare.” 

She also says you should identify the purpose and the “why” before communicating so that you can align your pitch with the job or potential opportunity.

TWB Job Counselor Judy agrees: “Look for what you can do to help the other person — no matter who the other person is, there’s something you can do to assist them. And almost certainly, they can do something for you.”

2. Look Good, Feel Good

When meeting with potential employers or attending a professional event, wear appropriate attire and present yourself in a neat and put-together manner. When you look good, you feel more confident in your abilities — and that comes across to others!

TWB works with Team Members to understand what is considered a professional outfit and what isn’t, especially in the service industry, explains Hanna. That’s why you should research your industry and its requirements when it comes to expected attire. 

Professional attire has evolved through the years – women no longer have to wear “panty hose,” and bright hair colors or tattoos should no longer disqualify you, says Hanna. “Wearing a good pair of denim jeans, a pretty blouse, and belt” are appropriate for many service industry interviews, she notes. 

TWB helps Team Members and Alumni by providing a clothing closet at our headquarters and sending out “calls to action” to help collect interview outfits from community members. We also work with other local nonprofits that provide professional attire such as Women Giving Back and Suited for Change. 

Once you get a job, it’s important to maintain your professionalism with your workplace manner and dress. Networking never stops!  

“You can network nearly anywhere, even at a job you don't love, if you have a positive attitude and good presentation,” shares Meaghan, TWB Job Counselor. “Your coworkers can serve as a future referral, your boss may decide to take a job elsewhere and call you with an opening there, or your customer might approach you with a new opportunity that you didn't even have on your radar.”

3. Always Follow Up

One key tactic when networking is following up after meeting someone, whether it’s after a job interview, career fair, or professional conversation. You want them to remember you — that’s why you need to reinforce your connection with them and your interest in any opportunities.

During TWB sessions, Team Members learn the proper etiquette for following up with certain types of businesses, whether it’s by email, by phone call, or in person. In the restaurant industry, for example, you don’t want to contact them during their busy times since you’re not going to get the type of conversation you want, explains Hanna.

It’s understandable to be uncomfortable or even afraid of rejection when reaching out, and that’s why Hanna recommends emailing. Word your email in a way that shows you are inquiring about or interested in a particular position or possible industry opportunities. Write it out, review it, and edit as necessary before sending your email.

Don’t worry about appearing desperate or that you’re nagging them — taking action could prevent missed opportunities! Most businesses like to hear from potential employees after interviews since it’s a way to gauge interest before they make any decisions on offers. Plus, your name remains on their list for future opportunities if they don’t have any current job openings.

“Fear less! Literally every person on the planet has made business connections throughout their adult lifetime,” says TWB Job Counselor Cassie. “There is no shame…you could be their next goldmine and everyone keeps that nugget in the back of their mind when they share personal contact information.” 

4. Know Your Communication Style

How you communicate and express yourself can tell potential employers a lot about you. That’s why you should understand your communication style — both the positive and the negative — to better present yourself when networking. Even when you have a job, your communication style in the workplace is important when it comes to teamwork and collaborating with others. 

Nonverbal communication includes body language, facial expressions, eye contact, and posture. Verbal communication includes tone, volume, and pace of voice. 

Your verbal and nonverbal communication styles together send a message to others, such as if you are engaged and motivated; are willing to cooperate; are assertive or passive; if you appear honest and trustworthy; and so much more. In addition to your hard skills listed on your resume, your communication style is a soft skill that completes the whole picture of who you are to potential employers.

At TWB, Team Members participate in group and individual sessions to work on their networking and communication skills for job interviews. They work on projecting confidence and self-worth through their words and actions. 

Practicing professional communication with others – maybe a trusted family member or colleague – is helpful for getting honest feedback. If you think you may need professional guidance, look for career counseling centers or job interview workshops.

“No one is perfect,” says Hanna, which is why she praises the empowerment piece of the TWB program and how it impacts the way Team Members start to communicate and express themselves. They begin to feel more self-confident and start to believe they deserve a job or opportunity, ultimately improving their networking skills.

“Remember that a professional connection is first and foremost a connection — a link you are trying to make with another person, who may be just as nervous as you are,” affirms Erika, TWB Job Counselor. “Take a deep breath, approach the person with a smile and handshake, and introduce yourself and your goal in reaching out to that person.”

These four tips and helpful insights from Hanna and our job counselors should give you guidance on what to practice and think about when you start networking. You can do it!