[Ashly Jackson]

The first and most obvious benefit is the opportunity to expand your professional network. Every new contact has a chance to become a future partner, collaborator, lead, employee, or customer. So it’s worth building a Rolodex. Networking also gives you the potential to expose your personal brand. You can build a good reputation by attending a few public events and attending networking events regularly. With enough contacts and a wide network of contacts, you could become an under-the-radar local celebrity. Meeting new people gives you the opportunity to learn something new, whether it’s a new skill or simply a new perspective on the professional world. The more people you meet, the more knowledge and experience you gain. Most networking events are informal opportunities to connect with other people. Therefore, punctuality is not a top priority. However, if the event has a schedule, please ensure proper entry. If you arrive at the event too early, when nobody is around, you might have a tough time settling into the event. If you arrive after festivities have started, people might see you differently, or worse, brand you as “the one who showed up late” before they even have a chance to meet you. When networking, it is always important to be ready to share your information and experience. Your preparedness and organization in these early meetings can go a long way in impressing potential employers. Keep multiple (fresh) copies of your resumé or samples of your work on-hand. A great way to keep your resume clean is to use a resume folder.