This document provides a list of over 50 networking ideas for people entering or re-entering the job market who feel unsure about networking effectively. Some of the top ideas suggested include developing an elevator speech about yourself, joining local networking clubs or professional associations, hosting small dinner parties, volunteering in the community, having a clear business card to distribute, and taking an organized cruise with industry leaders which could provide opportunities to connect face-to-face with many people in one's field. The document emphasizes practicing conversation skills, putting oneself in social situations regularly to meet new people, maintaining records of connections made, and leveraging both in-person and online tools to expand one's professional network.

1. ASGN2: Stanford Design Lab
Karen Hochberg
Ideate: Networking The Bridge
to a New Career
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2. Problem Statement
• People entering the job market for the first
time and those seeking an encore career
indicate they are fearful and unsure of how to
network effectively.
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3. Networking Ideas
• Schedule coffee with friends
• Develop list of target questions for each coffee including at least one new referral
• Develop a list of who you met with key info
• Send thank you notes
• Develop short elevator speech about yourself
• Join local job networking clubs
• Check local libraries for book clubs
• Join a professional association
• Start your own networking club
• Host small dinner parties
• Introduce your friends and colleagues to others with like interests
• Take an art class
• Go to the local museum and talk to others for practice
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4. Networking Ideas
• Attend local community meetings
• Meet 5 new people a week
• Develop a list of topics to talk about
• Post articles or share articles you like on LinkedIn
• Join Facebook and share public meetings or where you will attend lectures
• Join an improv or acting group
• Join Toastmasters and improve your public speaking
• Volunteer at a local community event or food bank
• Exercise and join a walking or running club
• Write an eBook on the 1001 ways to network to a new jobs
• Study your 2nd level LinkedIn connections for possible network invites
• Have an interesting and clear business card to distribute
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5. Networking Ideas
• Audit a local college class
• Participate in a online MOOC
• Develop a online video to introduce yourself
• Approach people who are alone at networking events
• Organize speed networking events
• Do quick introductions of others
• Create a card deck with cool questions to take with you
• Have a lucky token you take with you that gives you confidence
• Role play for practice
• Keep a list of who you meet and what they ask then create an info graphic
• Do a project for a non profit
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6. Networking Ideas
• Dress appropriately
• Don't stand in a corner
• Talk to at least 5 people at each event
• Start a blog
• Create a online dynamic résumé
• Write a white paper on your area of interest
• Mentor someone
• Find a mentor
• Develop a schedule similar to editorial calendar
• Post on industry blogs and websites
• Solid handshake with good eye contact
• Talk about your favorite TV shows
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7. Networking Ideas
• Go on a professional cruise related to your interests
• Talk to people at the grocery store
• Go to grocery store when working people shop
• Hang out at book stores and coffee shops talk to people telecommuting
• Develop a product line of networking tips and techniques on cards that can
be shared
• Pay it forward networking tokens
• Watch your body language
• Lean and use a twitter. tweet @ thought leaders
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8. Most Practical Idea
Have a creative clear business card to share
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9. Most Disruptive Idea
Take an organized cruise with thought leaders. It worked for Sarah
Palin. She entertained key conservatives who were cruising Alaska.
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