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Michaela Yarnell, UVM alum (\u201914) and Legislative Aide for Bernie Sanders, told us she would \u201cnot be where [she is] today without networking.\u201d Yarnell began in the Sanders\u2019 office as an intern and successfully moved up to her current position by networking with permanent staff.<\/p>\n
The key to networking, according to Yarnell, is \u201cperfecting your elevator speech.\u201d Whether you\u2019re attending a networking event, asking for an informational interview or actually bump into someone in an elevator, be prepared to offer \u201ca succinct and clear thirty-second speech about yourself and your strengths.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michaela also recommends having a couple of questions at the ready. Her favorites are: \u201cWhat are one or two things you know now that you wish you knew when you were an undergrad?\u201d and \u201cCan you tell me about a project you\u2019re working on that would give me a sense of your day-to-day work?\u201d \u00a0She also stressed the importance of doing some research beforehand, so you\u2019ve got some specific and relevant questions.<\/p>\n
Of course, not everyone you meet is someone you\u2019ll want to keep in touch with, but when you do find someone you want to connect with, ask for an informational interview. \u201cPeople like to talk about themselves,\u201d Michaela notes, so don\u2019t be afraid to ask.\u00a0 When they agree, \u201cgo in armed with good questions and then give the interviewer the floor.\u201d \u00a0And always be sure to follow up! \u201cDon\u2019t just email when you need something, find ways to stay in touch creatively and keep a steady drum beat of communication.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ultimately, networking is about creating personal relationships, so it\u2019s important to connect well, and to walk away from the networking conversation with some action items or a new understanding of how you\u2019ll move closer towards your goals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Michaela Yarnell, UVM alum (\u201914) and Legislative Aide for Bernie Sanders, told us she would \u201cnot be where [she is] today without networking.\u201d Yarnell began in the Sanders\u2019 office as an intern and successfully moved up to her current position by networking with permanent staff. The key to networking, according to Yarnell, is \u201cperfecting your … <\/p>\n