Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.
- Madam C. J. Walker
Throughout this semester, I’ve had many opportunities to attend Digital Marketing Seminar series at George Brown College to listen to many experts and marketers from different fields. I very much enjoy this class but it’s about to come to an end. Today, I would like to take this opportunity to share what I’ve learnt from these seminars.
Key Learnings:
1. Don’t be afraid to reach out
Elle Marie, one of the speakers, offered her thoughts on her networking skills.
“Don’t be afraid to DM someone on LinkedIn. The worst thing that can happen is that they don’t respond,”
she once said. Even now, I recall this quote. It's really motivating as there's nothing to lose when you reach out.
I used to be an introvert who preferred to stay in my comfort zone and wait for a miracle to occur. However, when I moved to Toronto, I realized how crucial it is to grow your network and step outside of your comfort zone in order to connect. This is especially true in marketing and business, where the environment is so dynamic and fast-paced that you want people to remember your story, talent, and, most importantly, your NAME! Don’t be afraid to reach out to people who are more senior than you.
It may be embarrassing the first few times you reach out to someone, but so what? Just keep in mind that you have nothing to lose. You never know if the person you just spoke with will lead you to somewhere you want to go in the future.
2. Know Your Strengths and Take Advantage of Them
“Don’t sell yourselves short!”
Elle Marie also shared this tip to us. Stop the negative self-talk and take the lead. It's critical to be aware of your flaws and improve on them. However, if you are continuously focusing on your flaws, how can those around you believe in you?
Before engaging in a conversation with someone, it is important to first understand yourself and your strengths. From where I come from, it’s typical for us to stay humble in the Asian culture. Elle's lecture was really inspiring and helpful to me during my co-op search. Knowing your strengths can help you achieve success faster. When I was given the opportunity to interview at Harry Rosen, I knew exactly what I needed to say about my experience in the fashion industry and my educational background in fashion. Therefore, take advantage of your strength and ace it!
Networking Resources:
Apart from my key learnings throughout this semester, I also want to share some resources that I found useful for job-search process.
1. Coffee Chats!
You may want to speak with some company members to inquire about their experience and positions. This is the time to have coffee chats (i.e., informational interview). These meetings are an excellent way to learn about new opportunities in the field, particularly for us who are actively seeking for internships. It's fascinating to hear an insider describe the company culture. If you're having an in-person coffee chat, it's a nice gesture to pay for their drinks because they're giving you their time. Before inviting someone to a coffee talk, research their background by looking over their LinkedIn profile. Otherwise, you'll simply embarrass yourself and appear unprofessional.
2. Make sure to add a note when you connect someone on LinkedIn.
When connecting with industry professionals on LinkedIn, make sure to include a note before clicking the 'connect' button. It should not be a canned message, but rather a personalized message. You might describe how you two met at an event, something you two have in common, or simply ask them a question about the industry. Because they may receive hundreds of requests every day. Including a message in connection allows them to get a better image of who you are.
3. Networking in Career Fairs.
There are numerous career fairs available, particularly those organized by the Centre for Business | George Brown College. This is your chance to meet with corporate representatives who may be your future employer. It is essential to prepare for career fairs by conducting extensive research on the firms in which you are interested. When approaching the booth, your goal should not be to be hired on the spot. Instead, introduce yourself and give a 30-second pitch. More importantly, get their contact information and aim to make a positive impression.
This summarizes the key takeaways from the Digital Media Seminar during the last four months. The experience I obtained is very useful to me in my future professional path.
Be Proactive: Give More to Receive More!
Finally, I would like to thank Wendy Greenwood for organizing these seminars, as well as all of the incredible speakers who shared their stories with us. What are your networking tips? Comment down here and share with me:)
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