Unorthodox Networking Techniques

Unorthodox Recruiting Techniques

These may not work for anyone else, but I have a few strategies that are helping me as I try to navigate the full-time hiring swamp that faces those of us without a FT offer for 2013:

1. Have a chunk of your face missing

Going up to networking events with a massive mark on your face can create the impression that you are some sort of weekend brawler. If you are fortunate enough to play a bit of rugby, you can explain it away, come off as a team player, and be remembered. If you don’t play rugby, consider taking it up. Regardless, the lesson learned is that being remembered is essential, and having a reason to talk about something interesting is rarely derived from your limited exposure to cross-border M&A deals. Getting kicked in the face in Croydon makes it simple.

2. Have an eye for details

I noticed an associate lean over to grab a piece of paper during a networking event, and I happened to recognise his cufflinks. I tried to figure out how to work such knowledge into conversation in a subtle but clever manner. Not being either subtle or clever, I gave up, and just decided to gamble. I went with, “Nice cufflinks”. Fortunately, he overlooked the awkward manner in which I tried to make a connection with him, as it was a better effort than asking stupid questions. It might not end up mattering, but he’ll remember my name.

3. Follow the obnoxious American

At careers events at the institution that I am currently a part of, there is one particular young woman who is particularly American. I mean that in the best and worst way possible. I’m sure she’s going to be great at working in some high powered job, but gosh is she LOUD and gosh is she OBNOXIOUS. She seems like she was beget out of some sort of mutant cross-breeding of Snooki and Gordon Gekko. She whips out her pre-set list of questions, hammers through them, gets a business card and leaves. In her wake are a bunch of shell-shocked undergraduates and a member of the target firm stood there with eyebrows raised. It is at this point that I make my approach. I quietly ask nice questions and try to juxtapose myself with the networking style of Wonder Woman. I have gotten several positive responses from these people, and been invited to coffees and that sort of thing off the back of this tactic. I’m sure the girl in question is being invited to some places as well, but such things are not my concern: I just know that contrasting my approach with hers works for me.