Here's how you can navigate networking as a recent graduate in the job market.

From my professional experience, I would say that one should start networking before their graduation to widen their network and ease their job search strategies in the hidden job market, whether by attending networking events, volunteering, accomplishing activities that could be relevant to their field of study, etc. Staying in touch with professionals can also be an opportunity to have them as LinkedIn contacts, which could also help a recent graduate land a job.

Identifying the current strengths and weaknesses of your current network is a great starting point. Look at the adults, friends, alumni, and peers around you for inspiration. Do they know people in the roles or sectors you're interested in? If they do, can they introduce you? An important part of the process is giving yourself sometime to plan what you want to achieve through networking in the coming 3 months, and up to a year. Do you want to grow your network, or are you focused on developing relationships with a smaller number of people? Starting with people that you already know has the added benefit of taking some of the pressure off accessing new people. If your university offers an alumni mentoring scheme, this can help you start.

Networking is king. It takes more than just actively looking for a career to get one. “The more hands you shake, the more money you make.” And why not make a couple of friends on the way ????♂?.

Keep it simple, if you're a new graduate I'd highlight which university you studied at, the subject you studied, a couple of your key strengths and/or achievements (e.g. got a great research background) and what you're interested in gaining for the event (e.g. I'm here to seek out opportunities to grow my network and connect with other researchers in the field).

As a career advisor, I would suggest and assist recent graduates in crafting compelling elevator pitches tailored for various networking functions and audiences. The pitches should include your career goals, strengths, and unique value proposition. It is essential to develop concise and impactful pitches that resonate with different networking objectives—whether it's connecting with industry professionals, potential employers, or peers. By doing that, you can confidently articulate your skills and aspirations, making a memorable impression in any networking setting.

People who pitch themselves make it too much about themselves and not how they can add value. Could you not make it a pitch, make it an offer? Show them how you can make an impact over promise then over-deliver.

Make the most of high quality free events. If you're a recent graduate, chances are you don't have the budget for big conferences. Don't despair: look for high quality free events to connect with like-minded people and experienced professionals. User groups and meetups are a great option. You'll meet a mix of technology experts, end users, hiring managers, vendor representatives, and more. They come together to share best practices, use cases and their experiences, focusing specifically on B2B software, for example. It may be a lot to take in at first, but it's a great way to enjoy networking in a casual atmosphere, learning about real-world business challenges and how they're resolved with technology.

The best way to get noticed is to ask a thoughtful question at a panel or event. Introduce yourself by saying your name, your university and field of studies. As a recruiter, I always made note of individuals who asked questions.

Treat everyone as if they can help you on your journey. You never know who you’re going to run into, and you never know how well a relationship can flourish.

A follow up can be simply a "Hi, great to meet you at X event, I'd love to keep in touch if you're happy to?". To add greater value, if you recall what you discussed with them, share your reflections or a related article that links to what you discussed. Doing this within 48 hours is preferable, and keeping it simple will hopefully take the weight off trying to write the perfect message.

Most people wonder why someone may have gotten back to them. So, ask yourself how impactful that first impression was. And even if it was impactful, why not make more of an impact by following up. Cement yourself by reaching out.

Getting job referrals from contacts helps immensely. Employers are more prone to give you a job if someone in their company can speak to your abilities and character.

Social media platforms today are great platforms to build network at the initial stages of career. These days social media is playing a great role in building company brand and hiring processes. Be a part of such ppatforms and be part of these conversation ....Interact with industry experts the chances of you getting noticed will definitely increase

Networking is an odd and intimidating term. It's possibly more helpful to think of just building relationships, the way you make friends. Networking is what happens when your friends all start to have connections in common and "POW!" you've got someone who knows someone in so many places! Reach out to people to connect, not to get something right away. Approach your communications with a mindset of curiosity- adopting thoughts like "I'm interested to hear about your career path." "I have a lot to learn from you." "We have (this) in common, what's your experience been with (this)?" If people help you in a job search or you have made many LinkedIn connections, intentionally schedule time on your calendar to consistently check in. Good luck!

I can't emphasize this enough. The contacts that you make now, can be allies for decades to come. You can be each other's sounding boards. If you are lucky enough to find a mentor, do your best to also add value to that person's life. The right contacts are crucial in business.

Whether you are an entrepreneur or aspiring to become one, an experienced professional working for an organization, or a future/recent graduate looking to broaden your network, to nurture the relationships that could be beneficial for your career or personal ventures, make sure to work first on your self-marketing or the image you would like people to see in you (personal brand), as it will be a key indicator on the way you will create these relationships and how people will approach you.

If networking events feel daunting, try the buddy system! Bring a friend along with you to events and approach senior people together to engage them in conversation. I always encouraged this with networking-shy graduates and they felt much more confident attending events and approaching leaders at an event to network when they were in pairs.

I believe that the most important way to naviganetworking as a recent Grad is to Polish your resume make sure it is up-to-date and Bitch be sure to include your most recent accomplishments, Are prominently on display On your resume. You also need to be strategic and going after the kinds of positions you are seeking. A number one tip would be Not to give in to your feapply for everything that you think you deserve And not only does her but are truly qualified for and passionate about Be sure the things that you apply for are backed up by what is on display on your resume. If you truly believe in your gut That you can do it and it outlines with your personal values and goals then and only then truly go after it And you will be Successful.

When you begin networking, the dynamic might feel hard to navigate if you feel you have little to offer in the initial process. I would encourage you to push through that part as often people are generous and are willing to help where possible. Through networking you're asking for their time, so start small with requests such as some advice, and if you establish a relationship and conversation with people, you might extend that to some assistance such as can they introduce or refer you to someone in their company.

One practical advice, connect with people with similar academic background to yours that are already employed for a couple of years. It will be easy for them to relate to your current challenges to find a first employment. Let them know you're actively looking for a first job, most of the times employers have referral policy programs in place they can benefit from.