
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to Marie Claire. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
1. Think broad, not deep.
"Women tend to fall into the 'best friend syndrome.' We invest deeply in our friendships and conflate casual relationships with shallow ones. But your acquaintances play a crucial role in your career. Someone you see only twice a year may know about opportunities you haven't heard about."
2. Cast a wider net.
Networking within your profession won't take you very far. "You're aiming for reach—friends, classmates, neighbors. Plant a lot of seeds."
3. Don't make it all about you.
People approach career opportunities the way they do social ones: Nobody wants to hang out with, let alone help, someone who is overtly self-serving. "At the end of the day, what we're talking about is being sociable."
4. Remember the quid pro quo.
Networking can't be one-sided—both parties need to get something out of it. Ask yourself: What can I offer that makes the relationship worth the effort? Pay it forward by brokering introductions or proffering useful business insight. "The best kinds of connections are mutually beneficial."
5. It's not only about your job search.
Networking isn't just about finding a job. It's also about making you better at the one you have. "The more time you spend gathering diverse information [from people in different industries and professions], the more valuable you are as an employee."
6. Pursue your personal interests.
It's easier to break the ice with strangers when you're actually interested in a social event's subject matter. "It's not 'I'm here to network.' It's 'I'm here to learn about X, Y, Z.'"
7. Lock it up by following through.
Be sure to send a quick follow-up e-mail the day after meeting someone. "Follow-through is what turns a contact into a connection."
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
-
‘Love Is Blind’ Fans Want to Know—How Are Johnie and Chris Faring Now?
Everything we know.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Refill That Empty Makeup Bag with Ulta's Fall Haul Event
Up to 40 percent off your favorites, this weekend only.
By Gabrielle Ulubay
-
Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dies at 90
The liberal icon was the longest-serving woman in the Senate, known for championing gun control as well as protecting the environment and reproductive rights.
By Tanya Benedicto Klich
-
Peloton’s Selena Samuela on Turning Tragedy Into Strength
Before becoming a powerhouse cycling instructor, Selena Samuela was an immigrant trying to adjust to new environments and new versions of herself.
By Emily Tisch Sussman
-
This Mutual Fund Firm Is Helping to Create a More Sustainable Future
Amy Domini and her firm, Domini Impact Investments LLC, are inspiring a greater and greener world—one investor at a time.
By Sponsored
-
Power Players Build on Success
"The New Normal" left some brands stronger than ever. We asked then what lies ahead.
By Maria Ricapito
-
Don't Stress! You Can Get in Good Shape Money-wise
Yes, maybe you eat paleo and have mastered crow pose, but do you practice financial wellness?
By Sallie Krawcheck
-
The Book Club Revolution
Lots of women are voracious readers. Other women are capitalizing on that.
By Lily Herman
-
The Future of Women and Work
The pandemic has completely upended how we do our jobs. This is Marie Claire's guide to navigating your career in a COVID-19 world.
By Megan DiTrolio
-
Black-Owned Coworking Spaces Are Providing a Safe Haven for POC
For people of color, many of whom prefer to WFH, inclusive coworking spaces don't just offer a place to work—they cultivate community.
By Megan DiTrolio
-
Where Did All My Work Friends Go?
The pandemic has forced our work friendships to evolve. Will they ever be the same?
By Rachel Epstein