The Art of Networking.

"Your network determines your net worth."

I am positive that almost everyone has heard this at some point in time in his or her life, or some variation of it. With an economy full of seasoned professionals, with thousands of eager, young graduates anticipating at least an entry level position, this phrase is especially true.

Every semester hundreds of thousands (yes six figures), of students graduate with the same exact degree as you obtained and a majority is out looking for a job (that’s the “adult” thing to do anyways).

So how exactly do you get in and get ahead?

Network. Network. NETWORK!

(Sorry, didn’t want to have to cap locks and exclamation point you all, but I had to.)

My marketing professor once said “People always say, ‘It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know’ but that’s not true, it’s about who knows you!” (*insert illuminated light bulb here*)

Here are my five tips to help anyone not only network, but be remembered:

1. Exchange business cards
Yes this requires you having a business card on hand. You want to do this for several reasons; one being many professionals have connections to their site about themselves for you to investigate later and two, you can use the back of the card to note important things to remember after the conversation.

2. Talk about common interests/knowledgeYou can only ask about the stock market, the event or kids for so long. Delve deeper and get to really know the person you are speaking to; at worst you’ll have nothing in common, at best you’ll have a lot in common and that barrier will be broken.

3. BE MEMORABLE
I have the most gigantic, annoying, hearty yet completely happy laugh ever. When I laugh, my whole face is engulfed; it’s almost like my trademark. Find your trademark and make sure you are remembered as that guy or gal…not something infamous though. We don’t want you to be remembered as that guy or gal.

4. Stay in contact
Nothing is more counterproductive than meeting someone and leaving your mark then stopping all communication for years. Maybe they helped you interview for a position, but you didn’t get it; still follow up at least every three to six months, just to stay on their mind, in case another position pops up, or maybe you genuinely connected and you made a new friend. Much like Disney, the possibilities are endless. (Actually, I don’t know if that’s Disney….*Googles it* So it’s not Disney, but it should be. Immigrant problems.)

5. Make sure you’re always yourself
When you’re constantly networking as a young professional, you want to be yourself. There is this six-degrees (most times it’s less depending on your field) of separation between everyone, and if you follow the first four steps, the last thing you want to happen, is for different people to have completely different perspectives on you. (I understand that point of views can be skewed, but I mean extreme differences) You want your true personality to shine through, because at some point in your career, your personal and professional personality will become one and you want that to depict who you really are.

I hope this helps someone, as I sit back on a beach and enjoy my “adult spring break” bka PTO.

(photo credit: AuquiMarketing)

About the contributor: Shauna-kay is a recent graduate of the University of South Florida and a marketing professional who enjoys long walks to the bank, for several reasons.

Connect with Shauna-kay at @Sk_Campbell

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