Networking Meetings

Preparation

Networking meetings are not like anything you've ever done. That is, you'll get better with practice.

But preparation raises your game right out of the box.

In your meetings, you want to present yourself as being friendly, confident, and assertive. As any public speaker will tell you, preparation helps make that happen.

Approach your interviews as if you were planning to make a speech, or a classroom presentation:

• Write a script, including the questions you plan to ask;
• Record yourself practicing it;
• Role-play with a friend;
• Revise, rinse, repeat.

Soon, you will know your material inside and out. You will have the confidence you need to be yourself during meetings.

Basic Pointers

Remember the goal for every networking meeting: to gain referrals.

These tips will help:

• Be prepared to manage the interview;
• Keep the interview brief and to the point. If your contact wants to chat, and you know your time is limited, be bold and to steer the conversation in your direction;
• If you know your material, you'll be able to call it up in the proper context, effectively moving yourself toward your goal;
• Take several copies of your resume with you. Offer to leave it with your contact, and ask that he or she forward it to a potential employer, should the opportunity arise. You may also leave it with anyone else in the office who may be interested.

Meeting Structure

Ideally, your networking meetings will follow this structure:

• Thank your contact for meeting with you;
• Explain the purpose of your meeting;
• Give a brief summary of your background and skills;
• Ask your questions.

If your contact is a legal practitioner, you may also ask:

• If he or she knows anyone in a firm or organization appropriate to your skills;
• If there are other types of practice for which your skill set is appropriate, but which you may have overlooked.

In either case, do not leave without asking for the name of at least two new potential contacts. Ask your contact if you may use his or her name when approaching them.

For an in-depth look at how to conduct a networking meeting, click here.

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