Career Development Handbook Career-Development-Handbook | Page 18

d. Follow up
• The day after effect: follow up with a brief email note, to thank the person for
sharing his/her insights during the event. And if you do intend to continue the
discussion you were having, propose a brief meeting to catch up. This would
indicate your keen interest, and your commitment level.
• If there is really no need for your to further meet up and further discuss anything,
then simply drop a brief emailed thank you note, to thank the person for sharing
his/her insights and experience, and to suggest that you would like to stay in
touch. And make sure you DO stay in touch, and not only during instances where
you need something from that person!
e. Nurturing your Network
• You need to make sure you maintain engagement with your network, through
reaching out to them, once in a while, even if it is only to ask how the person is
doing, congratulate them on their work anniversaries, promotion, new jobs etc.
This would show that you are relationship focused, rather than transaction
focused.
3. Networking Etiquettes
a. Stay professional – do not get too personal with a business contact you have just met –
especially by asking personal questions about the person you have just met.
b. Exercise courtesy and respect. Say thank you, and request politely. Remain modest. Do
not feel that you are entitled to anything.
c. Be genuine and be honest. Over-representing yourself and over-promising will only back-
fire.
d. Show interest in the person you are interacting with, and not only interest in the subject
matter!
e. Don’t abuse relationships. Base your relationships on trust and respect.
4. Networking Opportunities
a. Actively engage in your classes
b. Reach out to your faculty, career office, student services and trainers
c. Use LinkedIn
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