One of the most common things talked about on this site is networking. We really cannot make a big enough deal about it. There are whole careers built solely off people who are really good at networking. So, we've done some research with people across multiple industries, and here is our short but sweet guide to networking
Okay, so, let's go over the most basic step in networking: How and who? You need to answer these 2 questions first. Who are you trying to meet, and how do you intend on doing so. If you are trying to break into, lets say banking(an example we'll use because it's probably the most heavily dependent on networking), you'll want to be talking to people within that industry. That could be through alumni events, LinkedIn, or clubs at your college. You need to narrow these 2 things down so you can be more targeted.
In our modern society we're almost all conditioned to ask "what can I gain from X". Here's the problem with that: The other person is also looking to gain from you. So if you're both trying to get something, and no one is giving anything, then it falls apart, and you need something from them more than they need something from you, so take that initiative and ask what you can do for them. People tend to remember others who've helped them and given them investment, whether that be time, effort, advice, or any myriad of other things.
People like working with people they like. People are more likely to help others they see as friends. If you are a friend of an MD at a bank, it will be a lot easier to get a job than if you've just had coffee with them once or twice. Try to be an actual friend who's interested in what the other person has to say. It'll get you better results, and you're more likely to actually have a friend, and even if you don't get the result you hoped for now from networking, maybe you'll get better results in the future.
So, now that you've made a friend/connection, what do you do next? Well, simply put, you ask them to connect you(or chain you) to others in the industry. This is a pretty easy way to meet more and more people, and it instantly makes your response rate higher. I mean, think about it. If someone you personally know said "Hey, you should talk to X, they're a cool person", you'd probably be much more likely to hear them out than if you got a cold email from the same person on LinkedIn.
The best networkers are the people who don't even need to think about doing it. They meet people, like those people, and continue relationships with those people. Networking when you don't need to gain anything is actually the best kind of networking, because then you won't need to ask until the relationship is strong. Constantly be seeking to meet and connect with new people.