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What are some common mistakes students make during networking events, and how can we make a stronger impression?
I regularly attend networking events and want to improve how I connect with recruiters and professionals. I’m looking for advice on what makes someone memorable in a positive way.
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5 answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Dress in professional attire, wear your best smile, and ask questions about the company and job.
Updated
C’s Answer
Hi Niki,
Networking events are a great way to learn what the employers are looking for, what the current trends in your field are etc.
To make it most effective, I would suggest the following:
1. Appearance matters: You don't have to wear expensive clothes or accessories, but be well groomed and have a bright smile whenever you meet someone or talk to someone.
2. Have multiple copies of your resume handly both printed and electronic (e.g. PDF version), in case someone wants to see it. If you have a LinkedIn profile, include that in your resume and ask to connect to the people you meet there. This is a good way to expand your network beyond just the event. If you don't have a LinkedIn profile, create one - it is free!
3. Know before you go: Research the employers you are most interested in that will be at the event. This will allow you to have meaningful conversations with that employer's representatives and show them that you are tuly interested in them, and not just superficially. Ask specific questions (you can write these down ahead of time on paper or your phone and refer to them when you approach prospective employers.
4. Interact with others: You can do this by just introducing yourself to others and asking about their day, what their typical day at work looks like. Most people are usually willing to give info, especially to students. Even if you are hesitant the first few times, don't give up, you will become comfortable soon. You can also practice introducing yourself with a friend or a trusted adult before the event.
5. Follow-up: After the event, do reach out to the employers/recruiters you met and Thank them for their time & ask if they need any additional details from you.
Good luck!
Networking events are a great way to learn what the employers are looking for, what the current trends in your field are etc.
To make it most effective, I would suggest the following:
1. Appearance matters: You don't have to wear expensive clothes or accessories, but be well groomed and have a bright smile whenever you meet someone or talk to someone.
2. Have multiple copies of your resume handly both printed and electronic (e.g. PDF version), in case someone wants to see it. If you have a LinkedIn profile, include that in your resume and ask to connect to the people you meet there. This is a good way to expand your network beyond just the event. If you don't have a LinkedIn profile, create one - it is free!
3. Know before you go: Research the employers you are most interested in that will be at the event. This will allow you to have meaningful conversations with that employer's representatives and show them that you are tuly interested in them, and not just superficially. Ask specific questions (you can write these down ahead of time on paper or your phone and refer to them when you approach prospective employers.
4. Interact with others: You can do this by just introducing yourself to others and asking about their day, what their typical day at work looks like. Most people are usually willing to give info, especially to students. Even if you are hesitant the first few times, don't give up, you will become comfortable soon. You can also practice introducing yourself with a friend or a trusted adult before the event.
5. Follow-up: After the event, do reach out to the employers/recruiters you met and Thank them for their time & ask if they need any additional details from you.
Good luck!
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Great question! Be prepared with how you want to greet recruiters, perhaps in a unique way. Thanking them for being there is always a positive comment. Begin with a question for them, rather than telling them about yourself -- perhaps something about what they like about the organization. Try to bring up a unique accomplishment about yourself -- something they might remember. Shaking hands and smiles are always good too.
With every good wish and many blessings,
Karen
With every good wish and many blessings,
Karen
Updated
Liam’s Answer
Making a presence is better than not. Going to events and talking to people is better than not attending or only being a "fly on the wall". Make eye contact, shake hands, exchange contact info, and ask some questions if its an appropriate time.
Intelligent people are interested in interesting questions. If your question can be answered from their LinkedIn profile, its not really interesting to them. If its a personality question, its not really interesting. If you show you have an interest knowing more about their field of study, profession, or passion that makes you stand out. If you have a question about an aspect of something they haven't thought about, that's gold! If you ask a gotcha question to try and stump them, that's not helpful.
Be part of the conversation. Don't suck information out of them (I am sure you know this already!!) and just feed from what they have. Be someone in response to what they are saying. It's ok to like things that you are not on topic like music, TV, video games, movies. It's ok to geek out over something professional or on topic. Be a person, don't just be who you think they might want to hire. I have heard from recruiters and employers that if you are too perfect for the job that is a red flag. If every question you answer is perfect and you have never been in the role, that says you are getting coaching from someone and might not actually know the content.
Be available. Have an email that you give out only in that circle so when you get a message you know its an employer or recruiter. Have LinkedIn or something where you can be reached easily. Have an up to date resume at all times that can easily be altered for details if there needs to be something specific on it. If you can be friends with recruiters and employers on other social media, do so as well. Obviously keep your social media clean and professional (it can be fun, just not questionable) and keep posts up to date.
Another thing you can ask for if you are feeling a connection with someone is to ask for a mock interview. Sometimes recruiters need warm bodies in an interview just to meet a quota. See if you can interview for a job you likely won't get just to figure out the process and be ready. If you know what interviewers are looking for out of a candidate, that might help you adjust your presence at an event to stand out more.
Also be fun. Sometimes professional events are just so boring and tedious and people presenting and attending and companies and growth charts and TPS reports and... Just show up and be the fun one in the room. Make jokes, be geeky, break the silence, be sarcastic, whatever you do with your friends bring it there. I would prefer work with someone who slacks a little and makes me laugh all the time than someone whose work is perfect and its only professional interactions all day.
Be fun, be smart, ask good questions, be professional, be available, and do all of those things starting now! Its really going to take practice to do this but figure out how to make this process fun for you! Don't be afraid of messing something up, be bold. Keep attending these events and you'll see that in a short amount of time there will be bigger payoffs than you think! Keep making this fun for you and people will start to go to these events because you are there!
Intelligent people are interested in interesting questions. If your question can be answered from their LinkedIn profile, its not really interesting to them. If its a personality question, its not really interesting. If you show you have an interest knowing more about their field of study, profession, or passion that makes you stand out. If you have a question about an aspect of something they haven't thought about, that's gold! If you ask a gotcha question to try and stump them, that's not helpful.
Be part of the conversation. Don't suck information out of them (I am sure you know this already!!) and just feed from what they have. Be someone in response to what they are saying. It's ok to like things that you are not on topic like music, TV, video games, movies. It's ok to geek out over something professional or on topic. Be a person, don't just be who you think they might want to hire. I have heard from recruiters and employers that if you are too perfect for the job that is a red flag. If every question you answer is perfect and you have never been in the role, that says you are getting coaching from someone and might not actually know the content.
Be available. Have an email that you give out only in that circle so when you get a message you know its an employer or recruiter. Have LinkedIn or something where you can be reached easily. Have an up to date resume at all times that can easily be altered for details if there needs to be something specific on it. If you can be friends with recruiters and employers on other social media, do so as well. Obviously keep your social media clean and professional (it can be fun, just not questionable) and keep posts up to date.
Another thing you can ask for if you are feeling a connection with someone is to ask for a mock interview. Sometimes recruiters need warm bodies in an interview just to meet a quota. See if you can interview for a job you likely won't get just to figure out the process and be ready. If you know what interviewers are looking for out of a candidate, that might help you adjust your presence at an event to stand out more.
Also be fun. Sometimes professional events are just so boring and tedious and people presenting and attending and companies and growth charts and TPS reports and... Just show up and be the fun one in the room. Make jokes, be geeky, break the silence, be sarcastic, whatever you do with your friends bring it there. I would prefer work with someone who slacks a little and makes me laugh all the time than someone whose work is perfect and its only professional interactions all day.
Be fun, be smart, ask good questions, be professional, be available, and do all of those things starting now! Its really going to take practice to do this but figure out how to make this process fun for you! Don't be afraid of messing something up, be bold. Keep attending these events and you'll see that in a short amount of time there will be bigger payoffs than you think! Keep making this fun for you and people will start to go to these events because you are there!
Updated
cassandra’s Answer
Hi Niki! Common Networking Mistakes (and How to Stand Out)
1. Talking too much about yourself
➡️ Keep it balanced—ask thoughtful questions and listen.
2. Being too generic
➡️ Mention something specific about the company or role.
3. Trying too hard to impress
➡️ Be clear and genuine. Confidence > perfection.
4. No clear introduction
➡️ Have a quick 15–20 sec intro: who you are, what you’re studying, and your interests.
5. Not following up
➡️ Send a short LinkedIn or email within 1–2 days referencing your conversation.
What actually makes you memorable
Curiosity (ask good questions)
Specific interests (not “I’m open to anything”)
Genuine conversation
Strong follow-up
Bottom line:
Focus less on impressing and more on building a real connection; that’s what people remember.
1. Talking too much about yourself
➡️ Keep it balanced—ask thoughtful questions and listen.
2. Being too generic
➡️ Mention something specific about the company or role.
3. Trying too hard to impress
➡️ Be clear and genuine. Confidence > perfection.
4. No clear introduction
➡️ Have a quick 15–20 sec intro: who you are, what you’re studying, and your interests.
5. Not following up
➡️ Send a short LinkedIn or email within 1–2 days referencing your conversation.
What actually makes you memorable
Curiosity (ask good questions)
Specific interests (not “I’m open to anything”)
Genuine conversation
Strong follow-up
Bottom line:
Focus less on impressing and more on building a real connection; that’s what people remember.