Summer Networking Secrets

With summer fast approaching, and hopefully here to stay in Ohio (where Winning Move Careers is based out of), I thought it would be a great opportunity to share some insights and secrets to maximize your time networking this summer! We will focus on 3 successful strategies for summer, along with examples of where you may connect with for events.

Turning “Out-of-Office” Dead Ends into a Competitive Advantage

Summer is of course a time that professionals take advantage of weather and school being out to take much needed time away from the office. For a savvy networker, this doesn’t create a barrier, but an opportunity! Most people list a date that they will return to the office. So, as you email professionals and receive that dreaded reply that they are out until ‘X’ date, make a note of that date. This is a great time to recommend having some sort of database to record these things! Set yourself a reminder to follow up with another email to that contact 2-3 days after the return to office date!

Leverage the Summer Slack for a Win

Think about what we’ve shared above - the weather is nice, vacations are ripe for the taking, some professionals are out of the office. This also leads to much of your competition taking a 3-month hiatus from networking. This means you can stay top of mind for your connections, executives, and decision makers. Many decision makers have additional flexibility during the summer months due to vacations and other factors. That flexibility gives you ample opportunities to take advantage! A low-pressure conversation with someone interested in learning more about them or their company is just what the summer doctor ordered.

Capitalize on Summer Events

Have you ever thought about where people are during the summer months? Which local venues host corporate events during the summer? Doing some research can give you an inside scoop on where you can find and connect with professionals you are interested in talking to. As an example, if you are a sports fan like I am, attending a major or minor league baseball game is a great way to see a lot of people. There are often groups there from companies, and you can always find some logos on shirts. Standing in line for a drink? Strike up a conversation with the people around you! If that conversation is something you’d like to continue, get their contact information for a follow up. You don’t need to take 50 copies of your resume to an event to stand out - start and maintain quality conversations is enough to get you in the door.

Where to Find Events

Where ever you find yourself during the summer, there are organizations that host events for professionals to connect. If you are interested in specific industries, look for national, state, and local organizations that might host an event you can attend. Most major cities have young professionals organizations that are great. Many groups host events like golf outings or other fundraisers you may consider attending!

If you are local to the Cleveland/Akron areas, organizations like Engage! Cleveland or the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club are great starting spots to seek out some great events.

Are you service minded? Connect with community organizations and non-profits that are hosting events. These are great ways to make a positive impact on the community and meet other people who share that same passion!