How to Network Effectively - Merchant Methods

In short

Networking is not "asking for a favor." It's a structured way to learn faster, build relationships, and create warm access to opportunities over time. The best networking is curiosity-driven, specific, and reciprocal: you reach out with a clear reason, run a focused conversation, and follow up with genuine appreciation and action. This guide gives you a repeatable networking system—who to target, what to say, what to ask, and how to follow up—so your network becomes active and compounding during MBA admissions and throughout your career.

What is networking (and what it is not)?

Networking is the activity of connecting with others to gather and share information.

Good networking is a learning process that builds trust over time. Bad networking is a last-minute request that asks a stranger to take risk for you.

Start with the right mindset: curiosity and reciprocity

Networking works when you treat it as mutual value creation. You don't need to "offer a job" to offer value—you can share resources, insights, or useful introductions when appropriate. The goal is to leave people feeling respected and understood.

That begins with preparation: know what you're trying to learn and why you chose to reach out to this person specifically.

Who to target first (use the "close → relevant → new" sequence)

Start with the network you already have, then expand outward:

• Close: friends, former classmates, colleagues, mentors.
• Relevant: alumni or professionals in your target industry/function/geography.
• New: people you find through company pages, roles, and communities.

This sequence keeps outreach efficient and increases response rates.

How to reach out (a simple message that works)

Keep outreach short and specific. Your goal is a 20–30 minute conversation focused on learning. A strong message includes:

• Why them: what you noticed about their path.
• Why now: what you're exploring or deciding.
• What you want: a brief call for perspective (not a referral).

Avoid long biographies. The message should feel easy to say yes to.

What to ask on the call (high-signal questions)

Use questions that improve decision quality:

• What does a strong candidate look like for this path?
• What skills actually matter day-to-day?
• What are the common mistakes people make when trying to break in?
• If you were starting again, what would you do in the first 30 days?
• Who else would you recommend I speak with to learn more?

End the call on time. Respecting time is part of building trust.

Networking events: how to make group settings productive

Networking doesn't always have to be one-on-one, it can take place in a larger group. The key is turning brief interactions into follow-up conversations.

Practical approach: meet a few people, get contact details, then follow up within 24 hours with a short note referencing your conversation and a request for a short call.

How to follow up (the part that creates real relationships)

Follow-up is where networking becomes a network. Use a simple pattern:

• Thank you: one sincere sentence.
• Key takeaway: what you learned (one line).
• Action: what you'll do next based on their advice.

This makes you memorable and increases the chance of second-order introductions.

How Merchant MBA supports networking for admissions and careers

Merchant MBA helps you use networking strategically: clarifying goals, choosing who to speak with, and translating conversations into school fit logic, recruiting plans, and stronger application narratives. We do not offer GMAT/GRE services; our focus is admissions strategy and execution that drives outcomes.