Networking is a big deal when it comes to getting a job. I put so much emphasis on it, because it got me where I am today, as Junior Event Planner with The Simplifiers.
May 14, 2012 I attended my first happy hour with ISES (International Special Events Society). At the happy hour, I met someone who worked for The Hyatt Regency Austin, vendors from all over Austin, and the owner and founder of Brass Tacks Events. The owner asked me to help him out with an event June 6th. This was my first time working an event. That was June 6th and now, only 8 months later, January 14, 2013 I started my dream job. So continuing with the story, I helped out with that event. Earlier in April I had applied for an internship. That day I received a call that I had an interview with the owner and founder of The Simplifiers. I had the interview and a couple days later I was starting the apprenticeship. I continued to be apart of ISES, helping out with events and attending happy hours/meetings. This was one of the smartest decisions I ever made. Networking with professionals in the field of what I wanted to do, made my life a lot easier. I started an internship with Brass Tacks Events. Then, January 3, 2013 I was offered a job with The Simplifiers.
I would have not been in the position I am in without networking and social media. When I first became interested in event planning, I looked up all the event planners in Austin. From there, I found them on Twitter and Facebook and started following them. This helps you get in the know with what is going on in your industry.
For those who are interested in PR, I suggest first, joining your local PRSSA chapter on campus. This helps you to meet professionals to network with and transition from college to career. Start following PRSA + your city on Twitter to keep up-to-date with what is going on in the professional world. From there, start attending PRSA happy hours; free for students! Meet lots of people and get your name out there. Also, if you don’t already have business cards, get some. That way you don’t have to have people write down your information at happy hours. You can just hand them a card and they have you in mind. After you meet someone at a networking event, email them and just make yourself known.
Steps to Success:
1. Figure out what you are interested in.
2. Look up companies in that industry.
3. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
4. Attend happy hours.
5. Network with people.
6. Hand out a few business cards.
7. Email those you met.
8. Apply for an internship.
9. They already know you, you’re hired!