Networking through Model United Nations is an essential to building enduring connections. Know the pros’ networking style!
Learn how to network and socialize in and MUN; create life-long connection
Have you ever heard the phrase “It’s not what you know but who you know”? Maybe it’s a little exaggerated because it’s always good to know things but this has some validity especially in Model United Nations (MUN). In fact, networking at MUN can be important in opening doors, making friends for life and possibly making other collaborations or even an employer’s office. Let’s see how to go about networking like an expert and forming lasting connections at MUN that will last longer than the snacks served during the conference.
MUN can be established as a fruitful event if attended compassionately, considering it as the best place to network and meet fellow students who are of your age group and have like-minded notions. The passionate individuals know how much coexisting is important as much as the competing is!
1. Why it is Important to Network at MUN
Why should you bother about networking at MUN? If we are honest, there are two reasons why most of us participate in MUNs: to engage in fierce debates and to show off those sharp blazers. But what about all the other people who surround you? There is treasure hidden inside them.
Take into consideration this; You are seated among young diplomats, aspiring lawyers, future government leaders as well as some bright minds from different walks of life. In future meetings or during class discussions or even when starting new businesses someday, these could be your colleagues. Therefore, networking will give you opportunities where you can exchange your opinions with people who are like-minded while building helping hands over time making every occasion possible for them. In a world where it often comes down to six degrees of separation Networking at MUN is like collecting the rarest Pokémon cards. But instead of Pikachu, you’re collecting future CEOs and change-makers!
2. How to Prepare for Networking
Networking starts before the conference begins, not just when you walk into the conference room. Consider it as getting ready for a mission – you wouldn’t leap out of a plane without a parachute, right?(If so, I commend you but am slightly worried for your life).
Start by conducting some little research. Most MUNs provide delegate lists therefore check it out. Look up some of the participants on LinkedIn and social media (although don’t be creepy, limit yourself to one or two scrolls down their feed). Knowing who is attending will help you plan your strategy and could also lead to discovering mutual interests that may come in handy later.
Next, practice communication skills. Yes, talking to people becomes difficult because if you are an introvert well remember that everybody is in the same position as they probably are just as jittery as you. In order to boost self-confidence, always try practicing self-introduction by standing in front of a mirror telling yourself “Hello my name is [Insert Name], and I represent [Insert Name of Country]. Repeat this exercise until you get it right without embarrassing yourself in front of others by blushing like a ripe tomato.
Lastly, ensure you have your business cards packed. I understand it sounds awkward as they are overly mature. But they are network cheats in a way; just belt it out. Creating personal cards with names and contacts including social media addresses on them should be possible for someone without occupation yet. It gives an impression of professionalism to distribute cards whilst avoiding the embarrassment of spelling names into phones.
3.Confidence And Purpose During Introductions
You have rehearsed everything perfectly and now it is time for the real thing! Walking into a room full of people with potential contacts while wearing that blazer which is just right well, what next? Well, introductions may feel like walking into a cafeteria full of cool kids but don’t despair— TIMUN has got your back!
While introducing yourself should reflect confidence, it should not be blusterous. Assume that you are serving coffee rather than tea for life. Keep it basic. “Hello, I am [Your Name], representing [Country].” Include an interesting fact such as “Did you know that my country has more sheep than people?”
Humor can serve as good icebreaker material for introduction. In case you find yourself in an event introducing “Hi, I’m Albert from Australia. Although I do not fight crocodiles; when it comes to taking on anything even the worst Indian traffic jam, I am always ready” is one of those. It creates a lasting impression about you and immediately breaks up awkward moments between people stuck around the MUN table waiting their turn to speak whenever they realize how hard it would be to speak first after such an outstanding performance without showing any signs of weariness or boredom whatsoever. However, be warned against going too far — this is no comedy club night!
4. Rapport Building via Dialogue
You introduced yourself; what comes next? It is time to build rapport – essentially becoming best friends forever with these new connections of yours! But don’t force this process; let it happen naturally through conversation like constructing a Lego tower piece by piece.
To begin with, use open-ended questions. Instead of asking something like “Did you enjoy your previous conference?” (which would result in single-word answers), try using phrases such as: “What has been the most interesting aspect of this conference for you?” This way: they should open up more room for discussion while also giving others an opportunity to share what they have in mind.
Then, establish commonality. You may find out that you both enjoy watching the same series on television or both have an interest in international relation issues. Whatever it is, hold onto that like koalas do on eucalyptus trees. As soon as you get into areas of common relevance and mark a sense of shared engagement,
conversation becomes thicker and heavier for both parties involved in it thus leading to a sense of connection between them.
Then here comes how to do it: listen! No kidding just listens! We often pay more attention to what we want to say next, forgetting about listening to our partners intently. When one listens carefully then he/she shows interest with respect to what other people are saying hence serves as the right basis around which any healthy relationship stands!
5. Exploiting social media and Digital Tools in the Conference
Networking today doesn’t end when the conference ends, rather it is an ongoing process that takes place in social media every hour. How can you use it to your advantage?
Initially, do not hesitate to connect with individuals through LinkedIn or follow them on Instagram during the conference. It’s similar to saying, “Hey, let’s be friends!” without actually saying it. While sending this request for a link on LinkedIn, do well to put some personal message there. Something like “Hey [Their Name], it was great meeting you at the MUN! I’d love us to keep in touch.” A small personal note goes a long way.
Twitter also provides huge opportunities for discussions at conferences. Follow the official hashtag for events happening in your area of interest, tweet compelling takeaways and interact with others who tweet too. You never know, maybe after all through your smart tweets; you will find yourself chatting with some high-ranking official.
Do what I say: Ensure that your profiles on social networks are neat and professional. An aspiring diplomat wouldn’t want to see pictures from last weekend’s beach party when they are trying to connect him/her up. Stay classy everyone!
6. Follow-ups after the Conference
Congratulations! You’ve been able to endure through the conference, created impressive connections, now it’s time for follow-up because these connections are not supposed to just disappear like that one time you mistakenly called your chair “Mom.”
A simple follow-up email can make a greater difference than what many people tend to think. The email could be phrased as “Hi [Name], it was great meeting you at MUN, I enjoyed discussing [TOPIC]. Let’s remain in touch!” It is short and sweet straight to the point.
For those who want their messages to stand out more than others could send them a personal note that was handwritten by themselves. Yes, I mean that idea of writing with hands and not typing on computers or phones. That means once again that you will create a memorable impression within an increasingly digitized world where everything seems computerized. Additionally, it signifies that there was time taken during meaningful outreach.
If you are interested in being classy enough suggest grabbing coffee together or having a virtual hangout session. You don’t need anything elaborate really; just a chance for catching up and further relationship development would suffice.
7. Sustaining Long-term Relationships
And now, it gets tricky – keeping them alive. Just like you need to water potted plants or nurse sick children, so do you have to pay attention to those relationships. However, this time around there will be no water or sunlight but instead your words shall act as rain drops whereas trust is the sunshine.
Therefore make sure you check on your MUN contacts from time to time. It doesn’t have to be anything major; a simple message may do the trick (e.g., “Hi! How are you?”) or sending an article you think they would appreciate reading about. Alternatively, you could send them updates about your recent MUN related activities or some interesting projects that keep you busy.
But don’t play ghost! Nobody enjoys that person who then appears when he/she is in need of something. Therefore, create sincere relationships which mean being close even when there is no favor you want from him/her.
Ultimately such connections can end up being lifelong friendships or professional ties for the future. For example, during one of the MUNs I attended I met a person who later became my bosom friend though at first, we were just delegates and didn’t understand but our relationship is far beyond this other than friendship.
Conclusion
Networking at MUN can be easy. It is not about collecting as many business cards as possible nor is it about schmoozing. Networking involves creating real bonds with raw people. You do not have to be an extrovert or an introvert; you can even be someone with no prior networking experience coming in for the first time or veteran in it, but the point is be genuine, inquisitive and open-minded towards other experiences.
Also, try to recall a popular saying that’ everyone loves a good joke’. If you can make someone laugh, you have already made him/her your friend forever.
If you want to network like a pro, don’t miss out on the Indraprastha MUN ’24 which will take place on November 9th and 10th! Prepare to build friendships that will endure for years.
