Since I’ve been in the workforce, I’ve learned one thing fairly quickly. Building relationships is key if you want a successful career. Unfortunately that’s a tad bit difficult to accomplish when you’re on campus most of the year and don’t know a soul in the corporate world.

Think about the most likely times you meet employers on campus to discuss graduate programs or work experience. Events such as Careers fairs, employment evenings and various on campus activities; this is where you generally get to have a one-to-one chat with someone from the organization (quite possibly a recruiter) and gain insight on the graduate program and the benefits of working for the company.

Now here’s a quick question – How many of you ask for their business card?

Business cards are the most crucial pieces of information you can exchange during any meet with an employer as they open the door for you. What you then need to ensure is that the door stays open.

How do you go about doing that?

It starts with an email

Send an email to the recruiter within the next 72 hours to re-introduce yourself and open up the communication line between both of you. The e-mail should be brief and could, as an example, state where you met to serve as a reminder and that were interested in learning more about the company’s graduate program. Including a question or two might help you shape the responses you receive from the recruiter.

Organise a catch-up

It’s been a couple of months since you met the recruiter and obtained their business card and you hear about a university event they will be attending. Pick up the phone and give them a call. Once again, lead with how you know them and let them know that you will be attending the event and that you look forward to a brief catch-up. While you could have simply waited for the event and re-introduced yourself then, this method shows you are proactive and have ‘booked-in’ a time with the recruiter at the event. This way, when the event gets really busy, there is the likelihood that the recruiter will still make time to speak with you or even arrange for a chat over coffee after the event.

Keep the lines open

Whether you see yourself in the company’s graduate program or not, maintain the relationship with the recruiter. If you are unsuccessful with the application, send them an email to thank them for their time and assistance. There might be a more suitable position for you at the company several years later and it will become much easier for you to make an application if someone internal already thinks you're a great candidate.