networking

Ugh, networking. It’s actually not as terrible as you think. Mostly.

how do I turn down a persistent favor-asker?

A reader writes: About a year and a half ago, I agreed to have coffee with a company intern who was finishing up her internship and preparing to graduate. I did this as a favor to a colleague — this intern never did any work with my team or department and we never interacted prior […]

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how to tell a pushy networker to back off

A reader writes: I’m increasingly finding myself in a place where newer professionals are asking to talk about getting started after school, or asking for advice. I always jump at the chance to help however I can and I’m universally flattered when anyone asks to meet with me. I’m struggling, however, with one person who […]

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what are your best tips for attending professional conferences?

It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I have a question that seems like it would be well-suited for an Ask the Readers. I am looking for tips about attending professional conferences. In particular, I am a grad student who is entering a new field and there is a one-day conference that […]

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how do I politely end conversations at networking events?

A reader writes: Once you’ve got talking to someone at a networking event, and both people have got what they needed out of the conversation, how do you politely move on? I’m on the board of an association that pays for me to attend various networking events. I want to get the most out of […]

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what’s up with this rude and entitled networker?

A reader writes: A friend of mine works in community development and occasionally comes across young people who she thinks would do well to learn more about my field. She recently asked permission to put me in touch with a college sophomore. Mine is a high paying, prestigious, and extremely interesting field that most college […]

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I was hit on at a conference … was I too friendly?

A reader writes: My spouse and I are in the same field and usually attend conferences together. Generally we don’t spend that much time together at conferences, touching base a couple of times throughout the day (often mostly via text) and then having dinner and going to the room together, but people know we’re married. […]

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how many times can I ask a networking contact for help?

A reader writes: How many times is it appropriate to reach out to networking contacts for informational interviews, referrals, connections, etc.? I have been searching on and off over the past two years. I don’t want to take advantage of my older networking contacts who have already helped me, and I would certainly return any […]

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should I let my parents help me network?

It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: My question is about networking and family. My parents and I are in the same field, and I definitely was helped from the very beginning of my career by their experience and connections. Now that I’m finishing graduate school however, I feel that I want […]

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