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Networking Meaningfully
Carnegie Mellon University
Trading Summit: Networking
CLEMENS WAN
APRIL 2015
What to Expect
1. Strategy / Principles
2. Starting Conversations
3. Small Talk Topics
4. The Follow-up
Strategy / Principles
Why Network?
Be Interested
Learn Something
Things to Do
○ Be interested
○ Smile
○ Promote positive body language
○ Learn/Teach something new
○ Observe body language
○ Ask Questions
Things to Avoid
○ One Upping too much
○ Bad Phone Etiquette
○ Sensitive topics
○ Talking too much when someone isn’t interested
Know Your Boundaries
Starting Conversations
Getting it all Started
You’re alone at an event...
○ Gauge the room
○ Look at eye contact
○ Start a conversation off of environment
○ Slowly listen in / laugh
○ Pick someone off of a larger group
Be a Good Wingman
○ Introduce someone you know to the group
○ Catch people up with your current conversation
○ Include others in your conversation
○ Move the conversation to a less specific topic
○ Smile and let other’s talk
Talk to me About...
○ Write your 3 conversation topics
○ Practice listening
○ Be involved and curious
○ Leave an impression
During the Conversation
What do you talk about?
Quick Tips
○ Exchange Ideas and stories
○ Learn something from each other
○ Reflect on common interests
○ Be curious and open minded
Basic Small Talk Topics
○ Setting-related (Who do you know here?)
○ Background (Where are you from?)
○ Activities (What do you do for fun?)
○ News (Did you hear about that thing that happened?)
○ Plans - Career or Life Events
The Follow-up
Build a Network
Always Follow-up
○ Comment about meeting up - Thanks!
○ Common topic discussed
○ Actionable Items
The “Stay In Touch”
○ If you read something new - mention it to them
○ Close to a holiday/birthday - message them
○ Tell them you miss the
○ Get involved in their causes - introduce people to them
Falling out is not burning bridges
