To Seize or Not to Seize Every Networking Opportunity

Earlier this year, I went to an all-day workshop primarily for local career advisors who worked in the college, university and private settings. The hosts did a great job in scheduling ample time, including a networking lunch, for us to meet one another and talk.

Before the workshop began, I met a graduate student who was interested in working at a community college as a career counselor. Well, that is what I do, and I was looking forward to talking with him, especially since he created quite a positive first impression on me based on his:

• great communication skills
• enthusiasm
• good eye contact
• overall demeanor

Based on what he was asking and saying, I could tell that he didn’t know too much about becoming a community college counselor, and I was eager to share my knowledge.

The workshop was now starting, and I figured that he and I could simply catch up during the networking lunch. However, as lunch rolled around, he was nowhere to be found.

The workshop continued after lunch and was eventually coming to an end. I was getting very tired, as networking events often drain my energy, and I was looking forward to heading home.

But lo and behold, the guy showed up seemingly out of nowhere and was keen on resuming our earlier conversation. He let me know that he had met with a friend during lunch and that he ended up missing most of the workshop afterwards. He asked if I could send him any notes. He was oversharing, and the positive first impressions began to fade away. We didn’t talk much longer, but I gave him my contact information.

Two months have now passed, and I have not heard from him. I think it’s fair to assume that he didn’t take advantage of the opportunities presented to him that day, especially as someone wanting to be a college career counselor, a position that is a very competitive one to get. He lost out on the opportunities to:

• meet and possibly cultivate relationships with people who had jobs that he was interested in
• meet people with whom he could request informational interviews
• practice networking; you can get better at networking the more you do it

But I understand, as he seems to be new to the world of work and to networking. Since he is interested in pursuing a career where knowing the full value of networking, as well as how to effectively network, is imperative, the sooner he can make full use to the benefits of networking himself, the better off he will likely be.