Networking for College Students (and Recent Graduates)

Book excerpt: "Networking" in the form of online social networks is second nature for college students and aspiring young professionals today. But does this mean they have the kind of networking skills necessary to succeed in today's competitive business environment? Not necessarily, according to authors Michael Faulkner and Andrea Nierenberg. The kind of face-to-face communication necessary for building trust and reciprocity between people-real networking-is the subject of their book Networking for College Students (and Recent Graduates). Suitable as a primary or supplementary text for career development courses or courses in sales, marketing, communications, organizational psychology, and related fields, Networking for College Students (and Recent Graduates) imparts essential interpersonal skills to undergraduates, graduates, and people getting ready to enter the workforce or embark on a new phase of their career. Topics covered include listening skills, interpersonal relationship building, understanding the listener's needs and wants, audience dynamics, overcoming the fear of communicating, building a network of contacts, reciprocity rules, and more. It is a fundamental "how to" that anyone can apply to their professional situation.