CMS Career Blog

I met with a sharp group of graduate students from Portland State University yesterday and learned as much from them as they learned from me. They have a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge of the International Business scene! I was impressed. (You can learn more about them at this link.)

I shared with these students my “5-Finger Exercise” for Networking. Here is what (I hope) THEY learned form me:

Rule # 1 - Networking is about what you can GIVE – more than about what you can get!
(O.K. — RIGHT NOW make a list of what YOU have to offer in a Networking setting (30 seconds).

Rule # 2 – DON’T FORGET RULE #1!
There’s an old saying – “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Rule # 3 – People want to help other people.

Rule # 4 — Know what you want – the clearer you are about what YOU are hoping to get out of the networking meeting, the better!

Rule # 5 – Use the meeting to expand your network.

Three questions you should ask at the end of every networking meeting:
1. “Who do you know that I should talk to for further information?”
2. “Would you be willing to give your comments on my resume?” (use ONLY IF APPROPRIATE!)
3. “Can I keep you informed of my progress?”

Here’s a link to my PowerPoint presentation for the class (note– this will be available for download until February 3, 2007.)