2. Why Network at a Scientific
Conference?
• To share your
knowledge and get
noticed
• To learn new ideas
or techniques for
your own research
Advertised openings are only
• To meet potential the tip of the iceberg.
postdoc advisors Most jobs and postdocs are
and employers found through networking.

3. The Work Before the Networking
• Think now about potential postdoc
mentors
• Register to present a poster or platform
talk – then people will come to you!
• Look at the online meeting information
and make a plan
• Read up on the people you want to meet
• Consider contacting people before the
meeting
• Plan to meet people at all career stages

4. Practice Your Personal Pitch
Prepare a 30 second, 3
minute and 5 minute
introduction of yourself
– Include who you are in terms
of education, research area,
and interests
– Highlight your strengths
– Smile and be positive

5. 10 Conference Networking Tips
1. Ask your mentor to introduce
you to people (s)he knows
2. Make a point to sit next to
people you don’t know during
talks and at meals
3. Be aware of your body
language
4. Get some business cards and
offer them when people ask for
your contact information
5. Keep a positive attitude. Don’t
regard networking as
schmoozing

6. 10 Conference Networking Tips
6. Ask if the person is on LinkedIn
and if they mind if you send an
invitation to connect
7. Don’t stop after one good (or
one bad) contact
8. Remember effective
connections are mutually
beneficial
9. Introduce your new contacts to
other people you know
10.Ask the people you meet open
ended questions

7. Alternatives to the question
“What do you work on?”
• What did you think of the last session?
• What's the best thing you've learned at
this conference so far?
• What is it like to be a graduate
student/postdoc/faculty at your institution?
• How did you get involved in …?
• What do you think the new trend will be in
this field?

8. Keeping up with Your New
Contacts After the Meeting
• Send an email to the people you met to thank
them for their advice and friendship (see handout
for email tips)
• Send invitations to connect on LinkedIn as
appropriate

9. Keeping up with Your New
Contacts After the Meeting
• If you agreed to provide a reprint, a reagent, or a
CV be sure to follow up in a timely manner
• Introduce your new contacts to others
• Periodically email a paper to your contacts, tell
them what you think, and ask their opinion

10. One Final Thought
Your adviser's mantra--publish, publish,
publish--still holds true. But when you have
an opportunity at a scientific gathering,
network as if your career counted on it ...
because it does.
-- Paul Recchia, PhD
writer for Science Magazine