CAREERLIFESTYLE & TRAVEL

Business Outside of the Office

The business world stretches far further than the office. In fact, some of the most important business is done outside of the office. Here are some things to think about when entering the world of networking and job searching.

Conversation skills

Networking is extremely important, you hear it all the time, but how does a network begin to build? It starts with a conversation, and sometimes that’s not easy. The best way to start a conversation is by introducing yourself, but it’s often what to talk about after that gets tricky. A question is a good place to start, but it shouldn’t seem like you’re interrogating the other person, more so that you’re interested in learning more.

Tip: A good habit to have is if you know who it is that you’re meeting with, try to do some research so you can ask more educated questions. “What does your day to day look like in your accounting position at your company?” is sometimes more appreciated than “What do you do?”

Tip: Skim a few news articles before you walk into the event you’re going to. The news is a great topic to break the ice and it shows you’re aware of things going on in the world. However, it’s always best to stay away from political conversations.

Social Media presence

In the digital age it is super easy to find out anything you want to know about a person just by sitting behind a computer or phone. This is why you should be careful what you’re social media says about you. Before posting, think about if you would want your employer or potential employer to see it.

Attitude

This is an important thing to keep in mind when you’re talking to anyone. When at a networking event or while meeting recruiters, take that extra step with an extra smile, ask about their day, and shake their hand, it will make a huge difference. Most employers are looking at attitude over skills because skill can be learned, but attitude can’t. Maintaining a positive attitude no matter where you are will make a big difference, so keep that in mind next time you meet someone new.

Attire

Anytime you go somewhere, you could potentially run into a recruiter, a boss, or anyone else you might want to impress, so it’s always better to dress up than down. Even when you’re going to class, you never know how your professor can help you in the future or if there will be any guests at your lecture. This doesn’t mean you have to look business professional all the time, but try to leave your sweatpants, vacation t-shirts, and political accessories at home.