Elisa's Milling About: Networking
by Elisa Miller , 2008-2009 LSC President
Why are you a member of Lone Star STC? When we asked this on the membership survey in February, you answered networking. "Networking" is the most powerful tool in your toolkit as you are looking for a new position.
If you happen to find a position listed on one of the job boards, you might ask around at an STC meeting during the networking time:
- Do you work there currently?
- Would you get a referral bonus if you referred me to the position?
- Did you work there in the past? If so, what is the culture like?
- Is there someone there that I should talk to?
- Do you know anyone who works there?
You can often find someone who works at a company just by talking to people and letting them know of your interest.
There are many other ways of networking, and many of them involve STC. You can attend a networking lunch or happy hour. Even better, you can schedule one yourself! This is a pretty easy thing to do.
Networking Lunch. We recommend that you select a place that has a buffet or lets guests order their lunch from the counter (like Cafe Express or la Madeleine) so that they can come and go. All you do is call the restaurant and ask for a table that will seat 6 to 8, and then write an announcement about the event that can be sent out using our Lone Star LowDown announcement list.
Happy Hour. Scheduling a Happy Hour is just as easy! Do you have a favorite place near work where you like to meet? Sometimes hotel bars are the best meeting places . We have also had successful happy hours at Gloria’s Restaurant and Blue Mesa Grill – both in Addison and Frisco.
Networking is fun, even if you are a little shy.
Planning an Event. Want to plan a lunch or happy hour, but don’t want to do it alone? Find someone at the upcoming meeting and plan it together. Since we don’t have regularly scheduled meetings over the summer, lunches and happy hours are a great way of keeping the networking momentum going.
Feel free to call me at 214-681-9888 or write to prez@stc-dfw.org if you want help or suggestions for setting up networking sessions or if you have a different idea for a networking event.