How to network well | TheaterFire

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Heel-Judder@reddit

This question comes up a lot. I hope I can distill that information for you in a few short bullets:

Networking is not just some fancy thing that professional people do.
Networking is making friends, being personable, making acquaintances with shared interests.
Networking is making an effort to be exposed to the thing you're interested in.
Put yourself out there! Be personable! Make an effort to talk to other people. Make an effort to LISTEN. Be humble.
Appearance is important. First impressions are important. Your appearance should be appropriate for the occasion.

What does all that mean?

Make an effort to get outside of your comfort zone. Go to the airport. See that guy with the shiny Baron? Go talk to him! Ask him some questions! Maybe he's a dick and doesn't want to talk to you. That's ok! Don't take anything personally. Move on, talk to people. If you're in a classroom with other students, talk to them! That's also networking.

NETWORKING IS NOT STEERING THE CONVERSATION.
NETWORKING IS LISTENING.
NETWORKING IS TALKING.
NETWORKING IS JUST HANGING OUT.

Above all else, NETWORKING IS MAKING FRIENDS!

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grumpycfi@reddit

Put another way: There's no such thing as networking.

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InGeorgeWeTrust_@reddit

Friends become the best network. Second you start steering the conversation towards a job, it’s over.

They know you want a job, and no one wants a damn systems test from some kid looking for a job.

Be polite, fun to be around and fit the vibes. Bring up work when appropriate. Talk to people you meet at FBOs, students, events like WIA. Everyone has connections to someone, the more you connect with the better.

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Swimming_Way_7372@reddit

If you ever meet a private jet crew a lot of times they'll be more than happy to show you around their plane. Get a feel for them first though. Don't ask "who do you fly for?" Or "where you headed today?". If they want you to know you'll find out but many times people ask questions that cross the need-to-know line.

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CaptainsPrerogative@reddit

This! Ask about the airplane, cruising altitudes and speed, range. Ask what the job is like. Don’t ask about the passengers as that is private.

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InGeorgeWeTrust_@reddit

Ask about the overnights. No one cares about that other stuff. Plane is plane. QOL matters more and people are willing to brag about that alll day long.

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Heel-Judder@reddit

This question comes up a lot. I hope I can distill that information to you in a few short bullets:

Networking is not just some fancy thing that professional people do.
Networking is making friends, being personable, making acquaintances with shared interests
Networking is making an effort to be exposed to the thing you're interested in.
Put yourself out there! Be personable! Make an effort to talk to other people. Make an effort to LISTEN. Be humble.
Appearance is important. First impressions are important. Your appearance should be appropriate for the occasion.

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

I’m going through my cfi training and hoping to get a job at the end, but that’s not really the question on my head. I know how important networking is but not sure exactly how to go about it. I have no problem talking to people, but everyone says network but I’m not sure where to start. Should I just be going to fbos and introducing myself and tell them I’m looking for work in the future? I’m just not sure of what kind of way I should be trying to steer the conversation.

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