Class reunions offer an excellent opportunity to reconnect with friends who grew up alongside you and may now work in the same industry. Here are nine better ways to build professional relationships while reviving cherished personal memories.
After graduating and entering the job market, one significant tool you lose is access to the career services office. An even greater loss is the daily, natural social interaction on campus with people who share your interests. However, alumni gatherings provide an excellent opportunity to reconnect with friends you grew up with and who may now work in the same industry as you.
That said, don't dive headfirst into class reunions or alumni cocktail parties by handing out business cards and approaching people like Ned Ryerson, the overly enthusiastic life insurance salesman from Groundhog Day. This is rude and ineffective, and if you're constantly "on the move," you won't be able to enjoy yourself.Here are 9 better ways to build professional connections while rekindling fond personal memories:
Clean up your act
If you were a jerk in high school or college, you need to show people how you've evolved into a better person. "If you were the class clown, prom queen, or bully, that's how people remember you—and still see you that way,"says David Cooper, author of Outsiders on the Inside: How to Create a Winning Career... Even When You Don't Fit In and career coach. Acknowledge this before initiating any conversation—personal or professional."Before asking that weirdo who you bullied but now owns half of Texas for a job opportunity, acknowledge who you used to be—even apologize—explain who you've become, and demonstrate how you've changed," Cooper advises.
Get people talking about themselves
The most crucial advice from nearly every networking expert is this: Before asking what someone can do for you, ask what you can do for them. At a class reunion, this might simply mean asking people what they've been up to since you last met."Use these contextual cues to build up to your request, but only answer questions about yourself that arise naturally in conversation—don't just talk about yourself," said Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council.
Do your homework
You already share common ground with these people, but still check social media before the reunion to see who else works in your field."Once you identify specific individuals who could potentially help your career, approach them and discuss everything except how they might assist you," says Avik Patel, Senior Recruitment Manager for Technical Contract Staffing at WinterWyman Contract Staffing. "You'll be surprised how eager your old classmates are to help someone who hasn't even asked."
Don't brag—just be yourself
Nothing is more off-putting than boasting about your own success."I had a colleague who showed up at his reunion with an extremely attractive, successful woman—a friend, not a significant other—driving a Porsche—rented, not his own—and spent the entire time trying to flaunt his success," Cooper said. "He had a miserable night because everyone turned away from him due to his bragging and lack of authenticity.""
Celebrate Their Achievements
Especially if you've reached a certain level of material success, make sure to cheer for others' accomplishments—whether they've hit career milestones, started families, or made progress in a hobby."You may have invented the latest gadget that bought you a small island in the Caribbean, but you're no better than your classmate who's the assistant manager at the IceeFreeze game company back home and has two kids playing Little League," Cooper said. "You both possess and lack things that matter profoundly in life—they're just different."
Look Beyond Your Inset Circle
Your class reunion will naturally be a friendly atmosphere. After graduating, most people have bigger concerns than reenacting high school drama or reviving college cliques. "Who you were as a teenager likely doesn't define who you are now, so drop your preconceptions," Patel advises.Someone you barely knew years ago could become a great friend—or even a business partner—today. Be thoughtful This isn't a social gathering—there's a big difference. Primarily, you'll need to be more strategic about initiating conversations."Don't just target someone working at a large organization," says Elaine Varelas, managing partner at Keystone Associates. "Also, only offer your business card if asked for one. Don't hand them out like candy," Varelas advises.
Keep it brief and friendly
Save the detailed explanations of every project you're working on and your five-year goals for your friends. These are your former classmates, not career coaches, hiring managers, or therapists."Share just a little bit, then express why you love what you do," advises Rachel Polhemus, a consultant at executive search firm Witt/Kieffer. "Passion is contagious and makes people want to connect with you."
Monday Follow-Up
When you return to your desk after the weekend, spend an hour solidifying any connections you made over the weekend. "Don't be pushy or intrusive, but make sure to reiterate your request—and any progress you've made on their request—then follow up," says Gebber.