How to Make Professional Contacts in a New City

A move to a new city brings on many new challenges, especially if you are relocating to a large metropolis like New York City or Los Angeles. You will find, especially in these populated places, that meeting people and making professional contacts will not only ease your transition into your new locale, but may also ease your way into that job you have always dreamed of.

“It’s all about who you know” is such a cliché, but that fact aside, the truth is, getting ahead usually does come down to the connections you have made and knowing how to use them to your best advantage.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Talk to who you know first. Your cousin might know someone in the city, who knows someone in the industry you want to work in. Maybe your friend’s brother has an amazing job, which could lead to your amazing job. Talk to your professors. Talk to old internship directors. Ask around and see who knows who. Look to former classmates who graduated before you and are now living in the city. They can either provide you with great job searching advice, or perhaps can even fill you in when a new position opens in their department.

2. Go to networking events. Research the professional organizations in your city and look at their events calendars. Many professional organizations sponsor networking events, which are a great opportunity to meet people in your desired field. Some networking events are closed to the general public and exclusive to professionals only; but oftentimes there are events for those just starting out as well. Sometimes these organizations will offer classes for a fee as well. It's an excellent opportunity to not only learn from an experienced professional but to also meet others in your same position.

3. Use networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. Have a certain company in mind where you would like to work? Do a search on that company and see who comes up as an employee. Request their “friendship”; and once they accept, initiate friendly, polite conversation. Tell them you are new to the city and are interested in their field.

4. Get a part-time job. You never know who you will meet working at a part- time job. You might end up babysitting for a big magazine editor's child, serving a major record executive's table, or even tutoring the goddaughter of a high-profile publicist. Some of the best contacts are made where you would least expect it.

5. Talk to everyone. You never know who you will meet in the elevator, on the subway, or in the grocery store. Never be afraid to speak with people. In a city filled with some of the biggest corporations in the country, you are bound to come across many people with very cool jobs, perhaps in your desired field.

6. Ask questions. Once you have met some interesting people, talk to them about their career path and how they managed to succeed in their field. Ask them about how they landed their first job, about the ups and downs of their industry, and if they have any advice to offer you.

7. Never be afraid to ask for favors; now is the time to put your new contacts to good use. Ask them if they can be on the lookout for open positions that may interest you, if they can forward your resume to the hiring manager, or, if nothing else, they can be your reference. It never hurts to ask for anything, especially when a small favor can help you reach your career goals.