Networking. The way you climb the ladder that is the world of business. Meeting new people not only let’s them know who you are, but also opens you up to their whole network. There are many different ways to achieve a good network, and having that tool in your back pocket can help you find career opportunities that could change your life. I personally find it extremely difficult to network, as I am typically more reserved and shy. Meeting new people opens you up to potential criticism and judgement, which scares me the most.

Today we heard from guest speaker Rob Cullen, who is extremely social and exudes confidence. He gave us a few types on how to network and give a lasting impression on those you meet. It starts with a strong handshake, eye contact, and strategic placement of your name tag. These tips seems small, but can make a huge difference, and I will be carrying them out in my current business life. When you lean in with your right hand, the name tag should be placed on your upper right chest so it falls right into the line of sight of your acquaintance. There are also many cultural differences between networking in America versus Ireland. In Ireland, networking is more casual, and simply meeting someone for coffee can land you a job opportunity. In America, business usual stays within an office space, in a meeting room, or over the phone. He also gave us some tips like keeping an open circle while talking to allow more people to join the conversation, and chatting about more casual topics so there is less pressure around “selling” yourself.