Top 9 Tips for Networking

8/31/2020

Networking is a skill that translates to almost every single career path, and is of course extremely important as a student pharmacist. In order to forge a successful career path as a pharmacist, being able to effectively network is essential! So here are some of my top tips for being great at networking!

1. Exchange business cards with everyone you meet. As a student, I ordered professional business cards early in my first year, & have used them more times than I can count. They are obviously helpful when you are at a conference or work event, but can also be valuable in times you may not expect! Order some immediately if you don’t already have them!
2. Add your connections on social media in order to keep up with their career & life updates and keep interacting with them if you live far away! This includes Facebook, LinkedIn, and even Instagram if applicable! Just be sure that your social media presence is very professional if you are going to employ this tip.
3. Follow up with a personal message via email, text, or LinkedIn in order to talk more about your new connection’s specific specialty, or potential internships or rotations. If you had a conversation with someone that you’d like to work with in the future, a follow up email can go a long way!
4. Seek out your new friends and reconnect at future meetings! Reintroduce yourself if necessary and strengthen your previous connections. If possible, reach out before the next meeting you will both be attending and arrange time to meet up for coffee or a meal.
5. Find a point of connection by the end of the conversation, whether pharmacy related or personal! Maybe your hometowns are close by, you are both big Vols fans, or you are employees of the same pharmacy chain. This will help you both to remember each other in the future!
6. Be approachable! Smile and have a strong handshake (or hug if you’ve met multiple times and are friends on a more personal level) so that you’re making a good impression before you have even started talking!
7. Strike up conversations with everyone no matter where you are. I have met pharmacists in the plane on the way to a meeting, in the bathroom at a conference, or waiting for Uber’s in the lobby. Don’t focus only on the current CEOs and leaders that you recognize, you never know who may be influential in your future!
8. Always be professional. Watch your language and references, because you don’t know everyone’s background and don’t want to offend or leave a bad impression the first time you meet.
9. Use connections of your connections! You can add mutual friends on social media or even request a personal introduction to someone you really want to meet that one of your friends already knows. Pharmacy is a small world, after all!