In this week’s episode…

You know that networking is a crucial part of your industry job search. 

Naturally, you expect that the next conference you attend will be a great place to start. 

You’re not wrong. 

But before you go, there are some strategies that you can use to get even more out of the event. 

First, you’ll want to research the industry players who will be there. 

Many vendors, for instance, announce which employees they’re sending to the conference ahead of the event. 

If you can’t find this information online, reach out and ask the company. 

Once you know who they’re sending, research them alongside the companies that you want to target. 

A second tip: skip the talks at the conference altogether. 

The reason is that talking to a vendor by yourself during a lunch or coffee break is nearly impossible. 

That’s a vendor’s peak time to sell products and recruit new customers – they won’t appreciate an interruption from a PhD who’s desperate to find a job. 

But if you speak with vendors during the quiet times, they will be more relaxed, less distracted, and more apt to speak to you. 

Third, you have to know what to talk about. 

When you approach a vendor, one thing you don’t want to talk about is yourself. 

Nothing makes a person shut down faster than a PhD or PhD student coming up to them and start angling for a job. 

To keep them from running in the other direction, focus on them and the company they represent. 

Why are they there – what do they do? 

Ask about their product or service. 

The idea is to give attention, elevate their credibility, and be genuinely interested. 

A very important point, and the fourth tip: Be sure to emphasize your status as an industry novice and/or student – even if you’re a professor, in a postdoc position, or are doing a TA-ship. 

If they see you as a novice or student that lacks industry experience, they may be more candid with you because they won’t see you as a threat. 

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