How to Network like a Pro

I’ve had a good chunk of one-on-ones with young students/individuals looking to pivot in their careers. One surprising fact that stood out to me was that some people just do not know how to network. Some meetings started with “Can you get me a job at Disney?” others started with a greeting and awkward silence soon after. It’s okay though, I believe learning to network with others is a skill that can be learned and I want to write out some pointers I have for those who struggle with networking.

****(For this article imagine you are Individual A and the person you asked to network with is Individual B)

Before you begin, remember you own the floor.

If you’re the one who asked to have a one-on-one with someone, remember that you’ll be the one steering the conversation. Imagine you invited someone to come to your podcast but you didn’t come with any questions for them…now that’s tough. Be prepared and remember that you are in charge of directing the flow and vibe of the meeting.

Phase 1: Introduction

I cannot tell you enough how many times I’ve been in a conversation and the individual would…