Networking With Alumni Groups

Facilitation hack. Prepare them for the post-workshop shock. Workshops are amazing universes where magical things happen that ideally leave everyone with the feeling of having been part of a transformative experience. Even less intense workshops often create a feeling of belonging. They typically, if facilitated well, also create a feeling of energy and motivation to get going with the ideas and transformation to address burning issues. However, what follows is similar to a reverse culture shock phenomenon. The participants return to their working environment of origin, where they meet colleagues who have not spent their time in a parallel universe but continue living in a problem-ridden daily. Furthermore, they might also envy the experience, especially when the "enlightened reformers" bragged about the workshop, causing subtle and often unconscious behaviors to dismiss the new ideas. In short, participants face resistance, and their excitement is quickly killed by the everyday blues, often as soon as the following working day. As a consequence, the intervention becomes irrelevant for the most part. I have heard this story so often that I have decided to make it an integral part of my workshops to prepare the participants for the post-workshop shock. I make space to raise their awareness that this is likely to happen and have them share their worries and ideas for how to work around it. This doesn't necessarily solve the issue, but it helps prepare them for what they might experience. It also makes them realize that it is their responsibility to carefully translate their insights, experience, and energy onto others and gives them a chance to exchange ways for they can do that as a group and individuals. Since I did that, my standard check-ins a few weeks, months later, are significantly more positive and often show that the workshop bore some fruits in the rest of the company and organization. So, remember, as wonderful as a workshop can be, it is a parallel universe to the participants' every day. Our task is to help them prepare for a potential shock when they re-enter the real world, thereby increasing the chances of successful transfer of insights and ideas. #facilitationhack #facilitation #facilitationskills #humandynamics

7 Ways To Follow Up After A Networking Call (Without Being “Annoying”): 1. The Post-Networking Call Struggle You worked so hard to land this networking call. You hopped on and it went great! But now... You have no idea what to say to keep the conversation going (or ask for a referral). Let’s fix that today. 2. Proactively Plan For The Follow Up The best follow up strategy starts in the call. Start by brainstorming questions the open the door for a follow up. Ex:  - What’s one book you’d recommend reading on [Industry]  - What could I do in the next week to level up my [Skill]  - What’s the biggest challenge your team is facing right now? 3. Plan For The Follow Up - Part 2 These questions are great because they open the door for a natural follow up. Using the same examples, now you can:  - Read that book, then follow up with a thank you + what you learned  - Take action on that advice for leveling up that skill, then report back and ask for more  - Brainstorm ideas for how to help them overcome that largest challenge 4. And If You Weren’t Proactive? Sometimes we’re not as proactive as we’d like to be. In those cases, the best thing you can do is have a system for capturing information during or right after the call. It could be taking notes during the call. It could be doing a voicenote brain dump that you have ChatGPT turn into a transcript. Do your best to minimize the time between call and notes. 5. Turn The Notes Into Ideas When you have your brain dump in front of you, review it for ideas. I love to use ChatGPT for this. Upload your notes and ask: “I just had a networking calll with [Person] who works in [Job Title] at [Company]. I’m attaching the notes from our conversation. Please help me identify their challenges, goals, and iniatives. Then help me brainstorm 5 ways to follow up with value (with email templates). 6. Don’t Be Afraid To Keep Following Up People are busy. Don’t be offended if your first follow up doesn’t get a reply. Instead, keep working on what they shared with you and find additional ways to follow up again. I recommend giving it 7 business days between follow ups. But if you keep following up with a focus on value? You’ll get the reply. 7. Asking For The Referral Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for. If they haven’t proactively mentioned a referral, wait until you’ve corresponded 3-4 times (via email, on a call, etc). Then say: “I’ve really enjoyed our conversations. I wanted to share an update. X, Y, and Z things have changed in my current role and I decided to begin looking for new opportunities as a result. If you know of anything, would you keep me in mind?”

Steps I followed that helped me clear interviews at Top Companies (Off Campus): 📌Research ,Research ,Research! - I divided the days in different categories and made detailed notes about ⭐Company Overview ⭐Recent News ⭐Industry Trends 📌 Mock Interviews with my own self- - After the full research about the company,I used to have a mock interview with my own self where I used to make sure I'm asking myself the questions like- ⭐ Job Description related ⭐ Required Skills needed and how my previous experience aligned with the same ( be it college projects, internships or any full time experience) ⭐I also made a list of around 50 behavioral and situation based cases according to my role. ⭐Behavioral Questions: Practice the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method for behavioral questions. ⭐For the above point ,I again made sure I have several examples for the same situation in hand so that If asked I don't quote around the same experience on the D- day. 📌 Take help from others- - Donot feel shy!!!!!! - I Conducted recorded mock interviews with my friends so that later I can watch them and prepare well. 📌 Extra brownie tips- -Practice speaking clearly and concisely. -Be aware of your body language during the interview. -Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the role and company culture. - Dress professionals!!! -Arrive 10-15 minutes early. -Be polite and respectful to everyone you meet. -Listen carefully to the questions and ask clarifying questions if needed,especially in the case of guestimates. -Use a clear structure for your responses to ensure you cover all key points since many times the interviewer doesn't want to know the exact answer but the thought process behind it. 📌 Additional Resources -LinkedIn Connections: Connect with employees or alumni who work at the company. -Do go through the product or services offered by the company throughout. I hope I have covered everything, What are the techniques you use? do comment 👇 All the best🙌 #interviewtips #interview #job #industry #jobs #linkedin #recruitment #hr

I've facilitated 500+ workshops. These 5 closing techniques are the only ones that stick. Most facilitators spend hours designing the opening and the activities. Then the last 10 minutes arrive and they panic. → "Let's share a final thought." → "Any last reflections?" → "Thanks everyone, great session!" The closing is where behaviour change gets locked in or evaporates. Most facilitators treat it like an afterthought. Here are the 5 that actually work: 1. The One Commitment Round Every participant states one specific thing they'll do differently this week. Out loud. To the room. → Not: "I'll communicate better." → Instead: "I'll start every Monday standup asking my team what's blocking them before giving updates." Vague commitments die on the drive home. Specific ones survive. Public commitment creates social accountability. Say it out loud and it costs something to not follow through. 2. The Accountability Partner Every participant pairs up. They exchange commitments. They set a check-in within 14 days. Calendar invite sent before they leave. → Not: "Let's all keep each other accountable." → Instead: "You and your partner have a 15-minute call on March 31st. One question: did you do it?" Accountability without a name and a date is just a wish. 3. The Letter to Yourself Each participant writes a short message to their future self. What they committed to. Why it matters. The facilitator collects them and emails them back in 2 weeks. A delayed mirror. When the workshop energy has faded, you get a message from yourself reminding you what you promised when you were most motivated. 4. The Team Contract The group co-creates 3-5 agreements about how they'll work together. One page. Everyone signs. Photographed and shared in the team channel before they leave. → Not: "Let's agree to be more open." → Instead: "If you disagree with a decision, raise it in the meeting, not after. If you don't speak up, you've agreed." Invisible norms become a visible artefact. When someone breaks the agreement, anyone can point to it. The contract does the confrontation so individuals don't have to. 5. The Pre-Mortem Close Instead of "how was the session?" ask: "It's 30 days from now and nothing has changed. Why?" Participants write down every reason the commitments might fail. Then for each, one thing that would prevent it. → "It'll fail because I'll get pulled into daily fires." → Prevention: "I'll block 30 minutes every Friday to review my commitment." Instead of hoping for the best, you design against failure before it happens. The pattern across all 5? Every closing that sticks has three things: → A specific commitment, not a feeling → A named person responsible for follow-up → A date on the calendar Without all three, it was a nice ending to a nice day. Nothing more. ___ Save this for later (three dots, top right). Share with friends → ♻️ Repost. Get consultant-grade workshops every Sat → https://lnkd.in/eSfeUapJ

Build connections when you don’t need them, so they’re there when you do. Networking is a long‑term investment. You never know what can happen tomorrow, whether it’s a new opportunity, an unexpected challenge, or a career pivot. By cultivating relationships early, you turn strangers into allies and potential into possibility. My pro‑tip? Develop your personal value proposition. 
- List your top 3–5 strengths and concrete examples of how you’ve helped others 
- Turn each into an “I help…” statement (for example, “I help marketing teams drive engagement through data‑driven storytelling”) 
- Use these statements to guide every outreach, ensuring you’re always offering value, not just asking for favors Then start from what you know. 1. Choose 5–10 people from your alumni network, former classmates, or close colleagues 2. Send a genuine note, share an article they might find helpful, congratulate them on a recent win, or simply ask how you can support them 3. No agenda. Just curiosity and a willingness to help Next, venture into the unknown. 1. Identify people at companies you admire or in roles you aspire to 2. Do your homework: reference a recent project, article, or speaking engagement 3. Reach out with a clear, value‑first message: “I enjoyed your piece on X; as someone looking to Y, I’d love to learn how you approached Z.” And keep the momentum going. 
- Schedule quarterly reminders to check in, share insights, celebrate milestones, or ask a thoughtful question 
- Track key dates (promotions, product launches, anniversaries) so your messages feel timely Your network matters. When you need advice, an introduction, or anything really, you’ll already have authentic connections. And at the end of the day, already built connections where you can leverage the relationships > dry unknowns ‘Hey, I need help’ messages. #StephSynergy

Don't reach out cold until you have spoken and reconnected with all these people first and have asked for AIR + explained exactly what you are looking for. 🎈 Advice - career advice, job search advice, career pivot advice 🎈 Information - What's going on in the company, industry? What trends are they seeing? 🎈 Recommendations - Who do they recommend you speak with to learn more? What professional associations or groups do they recommend? Where do they go or what do they read to stay current? 🎯 Contact ALL these People So They Know What You Are Looking For 1. People You Used To Work With Your past work colleagues have seen you perform in the job and know your strengths and work ethic. These people make an excellent source of information to find out what changes are going on in the business and industry. You want to let them know you are looking for a new opportunity. 2. Friends, Family, Neighbors People you know are most likely to want to help you if they can. Your friends have a vast network of contacts you don’t know about. 3. Past Managers Assuming you and your previous manager or supervisor got along, it’s a good idea to reach out to them. Your past boss may know of upcoming opportunities at your old company 4. Target Company Employees Talking with people who work inside a company you're interested in allows you to learn what it is really like to work there. Plus they can provide advice and/or insight on the best way to apply. 5. Alumni/Classmates Don’t forget to tap into classmates, professors, and alumni as another potential pool of people to network with. Use LinkedIn's Alumni tool plus your school’s Advancement or Alumni office database. 6. Customers/Clients The people you’ve served already know you and are familiar with your work. Lean on them as a source of information about what’s going on. Your customers and clients have a feel of the work landscape and future needs. This information will help you position your most important skills and experience. 7. Vendors/Suppliers Similar to your clients and customers, these people know what it’s like to do business with you. They also have a finger on the pulse of what’s happening in your industry because they are still servicing businesses. 8. Service Providers (Doctors, accountants, hairdresser, etc.) Don’t overlook the business relationships you have with professionals who provide you with services. These people have their own vast network of contacts. 9. Fellow Volunteers If you volunteer, you’ve likely established relationships with other volunteers and people within the organization. These people have seen you give your time and effort.

Your corporate alumnus is one of the easiest paths to net new meetings, but it's not who you worked with before, it's who you work with now. Here are two strategies - one for ICs, and one for corporate teams: IC: Set two searches in LinkedIn Sales Navigator: First: Current company: type in your co name and hit the "exclude" button Past company: your company Work flows: add in your account lists or CRM-integrated territory Seniority Level: Director+ RESULT: a repository of people who used to work for your company, who still have allegiance to them (most likely) and who are senior enough to help you with internal intros. Second: Just save that above search. That's it. Every time someone leaves your company and goes to your territory, you'll be notified. Then, go pounce with a killer Show Me You Know Me email or connection request OR just ask people you both know for an intro to up the odds they'll reply. Corporate: Create an alumni program. Any time a senior leader, top performer, 10+ year veteran, or hell, anyone with a few years of tenure leaves, offer them a referral agreement as part of their package. We do it with influencers, why don't we do it with alumni? If they opt in, you can lead route them to the correct seller/team upon their announcement of their new role, again, all with a simple Sales Navigator license, and presuming they don't go to a competitor. 😉 Even better, you can create a dashboard and have an SLA around outreach so you can measure the effectiveness of this program. Your leaders can manage to these metrics, too, just like they do for inbound leads. **************************************************************** As I said in yesterday's post, a lot of what's broken in our prospecting motion doesn't take millions of dollars in tech and consulting - it comes down to a few smarter ideas, to some better messaging, and to showing up to discovery calls like humans that want to solve, not to sell. #samsales #saas #SMYKM #linkedintips

Networking isn't just about sending a PERFECT initial message. It's about how you nurture those connections afterward. Here's how you can do that: 1. Thoughtful follow-ups Once your message is accepted, continue the conversation with genuine curiosity. Ask questions or share insights related to your field, showing that you're invested in a meaningful dialogue. 2. Provide real value Offer assistance, share resources, or connect them with someone who can help with their goals. Mutual benefit strengthens the relationship and shows you're committed to more than just personal gain. 3. Cultivate genuine relationships Regularly check in, congratulate them on achievements, and stay updated on their work. This approach fosters trust and collaboration over time. Remember, networking is a journey, not a destination. It's about growing together and creating opportunities for both parties. What's your best networking tip? Share in the comments!

14 unusual things to do after networking (So that people never forget you) Most people treat networking like a one-time event. Show up. Shake hands. Exchange LinkedIn profiles. Then what? Nothing. Silence. A connection that dies in your inbox. ➡️ Here’s the truth: Networking doesn’t end when the event does. If you want to stand out in a sea of small talk and business cards, what you do after matters way more than what you said in the room. 📍 14 memorable ways to follow up after networking (so people remember how you made them feel) : 1.Send a 30-second voice note 🔹 It’s warm, personal, and wildly underused. 🔹 They’ll remember your tone, not just your job title. 2. Mention something they said 🔹 “Still thinking about what you said about burnout.” 🔹 Proves you listen, not just wait to talk. Rare energy. 3. Follow up with zero ask 🔹 “No agenda, just really enjoyed our chat.” 🔹 Trust is built when you expect nothing. 4. Recommend a niche resource 🔹 “This podcast reminded me of our convo on health.” 🔹 Thoughtful people always stand out. 5. Post something they inspired 🔹 “Met someone who reshaped how I think about___.” 🔹 Now they’re part of your story and stories are sticky. 6. Engage genuinely with their content 🔹 “This post reminds me of the time I_____” 🔹 People remember those who get them. 7. Add a personal detail to your calendar 🔹 Birthday, race day, launch date. 🔹 A simple “You"ll crush it today!” = unforgettable. 8. Offer a connection they didn’t ask for 🔹 “You and [Name] speak the same. Want an intro?” 🔹 Be the bridge. Bridges are memorable. 9. Share their work with someone new 🔹 “Told a friend about your insight on___ It hit home.” 🔹 Generosity makes your name stick. 10. Circle back weeks later with a win or a thought 🔹 “That nutrition tip you shared....Total game-changer.” 🔹 That follow-up moment seals the connection. 11. Ask how they’re feeling, not just what they’re doing 🔹 “How’s your energy with the launch coming up?" 🔹 Emotional intelligence creates instant rapport. 12. Thank them again, but differently 🔹 “Grateful for the kindness, not just the time.” 🔹 Depth of appreciation always stands out. 13. Send a $5 coffee gift card with a kind note 🔹 “Thanks for your time and wisdom, next cup’s on me.” 🔹 Tiny gesture. Massive impression. 14. Be the follow-up you’d love to receive 🔹 Helpful, human, and zero pressure. 🔹 Authentic energy is your best bet. Networking isn’t about collecting contacts. The follow-up is where relationships are built Or forgotten. Most people don’t go the extra step. That’s your opportunity. 💎 Because when people remember how you made them feel, They’ll remember you, every single time. ✨ Got a go-to follow-up move that’s worked for you? Drop it in the comments. ♻️ Found this helpful? REPOST. + Follow Priyamvada S for daily tips on growth and well being

Glassdoor is good. And data-heavy on company reviews, salaries, interview processes, working conditions etc But such data can be outdated & limited You know what's better? A real-time, (almost) always available source that can answer in natural language specific questions without being abstract, anonymous and politically correct 📡 That's your network Want to learn about working conditions? Promotion opportunities? Never-advertised jobs? Company reputation? Salary expectations? Work-life balance? Amazing talents? Just a phone call / coffee / SMS / DM / PM / "hey what's up?" away 📓 Plenty of ways to expand your contact list >> Academia Alumni, ex-classmates, professors from BSc, MSc, bootcamp peers, Coursera forums etc. Usually the first pool of your direct contacts (sometimes the last) >> LinkedIn 1st contacts, 2nd contacts, 3rd contacts, friends of friends, cold outreach through comments, direct messages. >1 billion members out there >> ex-colleagues Most accessible & easily reachable audience, unless you were a pain to work with >> Industry meetups Seeing the same faces repeatedly creates bonds >> Career fairs The most diverse audience regarding industries, seniorities, functions and interests, everything conveniently placed under the same roof >> After work drinks People communicate better without having corporate fluorescent lamps blasting them, unless you are a pain to work with >> Conferences Similar to career fairs but less noise, more relevant attendees >>Datathons & Hackathons Nothing bonds you stronger than eating pizzas while harmonically cursing relentlessly for 8+ hours at the same bug All in all, sometimes a 10' call can be more insightful (& helpful) than 100+ reviews on Glassdoor, some of them written 5+ years ago 💡 Long story short, you should always know a guy who knows a guy who knows a... #data #analytics #communication #network