Dean of Students Gets Networking Advice All Wrong

A couple of days ago, Elie offered some networking advice to the functional alcoholics in the audience. Sure, his thoughts were a little bit outside the box, but they were better than the kind of standard networking tripe most law students get from their overmatched career services administrators. Case in point, take a look as some networking advice sent around by the Dean of Students at a New York-area law school just last week. The advice was perfect if the dean was trying to ensure that the students made no impression, and left all employers wondering why they bothered to show up for a silly networking event in the first place....

NETWORKING MEMO — ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

Good afternoon:

Congratulations, you will be attending this Friday’s Alumni Association Lunch. The details:

[Redacted]

Given the tight timeframe that we’re working under, it will not be possible to have our “how to work the room” event. I wanted to offer some brief advice, particularly for the cocktail hour:

* Don’t congregate with other law students or recent alums. You’re not there to meet them. Seriously.
* Don’t be afraid to go up to someone and introduce yourself. People expect to meet new people at receptions. Read the person’s name tag and use his or her name in the introduction. If you are feeling shy, try going up to someone who appears to be solo – they will welcome the opportunity to chat with you.
* Focus on the person you’re talking to, not yourself. In the process, however, weave in things about yourself. Ask questions about:

  • * Where they work
  • * What type of work do they do
  • * What are some of the challenges they’re facing
  • * What advice would they offer someone breaking into the field

  • * Ask for a business card
  • * Don’t interrogate the person. Be natural.

    * Focus on introductions and relationships, not selling yourself.

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* Things not to talk about:

    * The economy or job market (stay positive)

  • * Anything negative about your school or any of your previous jobs (stay positive)
  • * The weather or other arcane subjects
  • * Religion
  • * Politics

* If you have them, bring business cards. However, don’t hand them out to people unless asked. Don’t bring resumes.
* Don’t spend more than 5 minutes talking with any one person. Move on. Talk to a lot of people.
* Manage expectations – your goal is to get business cards, not a job offer in hand.
* Your drink of choice should be a club soda with lime. It looks like a vodka tonic, but it will keep you sober and on your toes.
* Turn off your cell phone. Seriously. Focus on the person you’re talking to. Your iPhone or Blackberry can wait.
* Read the New York Law Journal (www.nylj.com) and the day’s New York Times so you’re current with the news of the day, particularly the news affecting the legal community.
* Wear business attire. Nothing flashy. Dress conservatively.
* At the cocktail hour, don’t eat. It’s too hard to balance your club soda with your plate and shake hands at the same time.

On Monday (not Friday afternoon), send an e-mail or letter to everyone whose business card you collected. Try to remember something about your conversation. Thank them for taking the time to speak with you. If they respond, let the relationship develop organically. Perhaps you can send your resume, ask for an informational interview, etc. – but it depends on the situation. Talk to your CDO counselor about next steps.

Good luck and have fun!

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Earlier: How Alcohol Can Help You Network