There’s no doubt that one of the biggest struggles people face in moving to a new city is meeting friends and making business. New York City has an enormous international community – but how do you get involved? Networking is the key – and networking in NYC isn’t as hard as you might think!From groups that meet to discuss business topics to organizations focused on international culture, there are a variety of ways to reach out to people with similar interests. Networking and meeting people seems intimidating, but once you understand how to approaching networking in NYC, you can connect with people and get yourself out there to meet the many communities in New York!Using Social Media for NetworkingSocial media is a critical tool when it comes to reaching out to the right people, finding groups of like-minded individuals and getting connected.
Meetup is a website that anyone new to the city should join. This free site allows you to join groups focused on specific cultures, industries, hobbies, or situations. If you’re a parent looking to make friends with other parents while giving your kids a chance to play, there are a number of playgroup meet ups in New York City which allow you to get connected with like-minded parents. If you’re new to the city and are looking to go out and make some friends, there are meet ups focused on just that. In the professional sphere, there are a number of industries which have Meetup groups for networking and more. Some of the largest groups on Meetup have evolved around New York’s burgeoning tech and start up scene. For example, the NY Tech Meetup group was founded in 2004 and now each meeting attracts about 500 respondents. New start ups present their latest developments at these meet ups and are broadcast live to the General Assembly, an incubator space at Union Square. Other tech Meetup groups focus on industry segments such as social media marketing and online video.Meetup was founded in 2001 and has grown to such a capacity that they now have meet ups in several languages. These groups can be a great way to meet people if English is not your first language and you are more comfortable meeting people in your native tongue. Also, don’t forget to check out New York International’s Meetup group; our events always have a great mix of internationals looking to meet new people – for professional or personal reasons!A good way to make professional connections, LinkedIn can be a great tool in getting to know the right people.
By joining groups focused on your industry in the New York City area, you can share your thoughts on relevant topics and get your name recognized by industry leaders and contemporaries. These groups offer an easy gateway to connect with professionals who can put you in touch with the right people to land you a job or gain valuable industry information. LinkedIn groups can also inform you of important industry events going on in the city which could be helpful for networking. Never be afraid to reach out to industry professionals and anyone who you have met in person or interacted with online – they will probably be equally as interested in connecting with you!Although these networks are a great start, we also encourage you to look for networking events through other venues such as Eventbrite. Remember: Don’t stay digital – nothing beats a face-to-face encounter!International Organizations in New York City
When we first moved to the city as international professionals it took us a while to find out that there are many international organizations – and most of them frequently hold excellent in-person networking events. No matter where you are from, there is likely an organization in New York City which brings together people from your culture. New York International has done the legwork for you and put together a list of the best international organizations. Follow these organizations as many of them have special events, showcases, or networking sessions to get people connected! While many are membership based, you can always try out some of their open networking events to look into possible membership.Universities in New York CityLiving in New York has another great benefit: You’re surrounding by some of the greatest colleges and universities in the U.S. What many newcomers will be surprised to hear is that more often than not, universities will open up their doors to let you listen in on guest speakers, conferences, and workshops. We recommend you find a nearby university, get in touch with the department which most interests you, and get added to their newsletter list so you can learn about these opportunities.Etiquette when NetworkingOnce you’ve identified some networking events you want to attend, there are some steps you should take to make sure the event is a success for you.First, be sure that you understand what type of event you are going to; is this a social networking situation where you should be casual, or is this a business event where you need to dress professionally, bring business cards, and be ready to present yourself? Develop an understanding of the event so that you arrive prepared to interact accordingly.At social events, engage with the others at the event! Don’t hide by staring at your cell phone and not interacting. Introduce yourself to people and find out who has similar interests as you. If this is a specific type of event (such as a group for a hobby or nationality), talk about your experiences relative to the topic – but don’t be afraid to branch out to other subjects. These are the type of the discussions that will make other attendees want to continue the conversation.The same might not be the case at a professional event. At a professional event, always make sure you are prepared with a brief explanation of who you are, what you do, and why you are in New York. Be sure to be entertaining too; New Yorkers love to hear an interesting story. Have business cards that include every way to get in touch with you – from your phone number to your twitter handle – so that people can reach out to you easily. Try to focus on talking with other attendees about where they work, what projects they are involved in, if they focus on a specific niche in the industry, or other business related questions.Staying in Touch
Once you have been introduced to people, don’t be afraid to reach out to them on LinkedIn, Twitter or any other social network you use. This is an easy way to keep in touch. You might be surprised to find just how quickly these connections can turn into a group of friends or a network of business contacts. Make sure to follow up with them regularly – sending people information that might interest them or asking them to join you at another event will keep you on their radar!Don’t be afraid to use the resources, networks, and organizations provided to you by this great city to get connected. Building your network will make living in New York City that once-in-a-lifetime experience you hear people talk about… Because there is no such thing as a boring New Yorker!