But being in an MBA program alone won’t guarantee you a straight shot to a decision-maker at your dream company—you’ll need to learn how to network your way to a connection like a pro. “The most successful business people make networking a part of how they do business and how they create fulfilling and lasting relationships—and frankly, how they create fulfilling careers,” Margolis adds.

Below, she shares her best tips for networking as an MBA student.

1. Get in the right mindset

The first step, before you do any sort of outreach, is to put yourself in the right frame of mind. “You want to learn to see networking not only as a necessary tool, but also a positive, enjoyable tool for your career success,” Margolis says. If you think of networking as work, you’ll not only come across as disengaged, but you’ll also have a harder time making progress or getting motivated to actually meet people. Instead, use it as an opportunity to make a personal connection, learn about others, and have some fun alongside people you may not even realize are just like you. “People love to give advice, and they love talking about how they transitioned, and they remember what it’s like,” she adds.

Getting into the right mindset that leads to effective networking also requires debunking common misconceptions about the process—a big one being that you have nothing to offer the person in return. “You have so much access to leadership and business research where you go to school,” Margolis says. “You can invite them to an event, you can give them a fresh perspective on an old viewpoint. So think about the value that you offer them, and it’ll help you come across as more authentic.”

Another mistake she’s seen people make going into MBA networking events is assuming they’re just there to receive—a business card, a reference, career advice. “See it from a place of giving and a place of helping rather than a place of taking or using,” Margolis says, adding that it’s never one-sided interaction. “It’s not like you’re lobbing balls at each other like a tennis match. It’s more of a dialogue.”

2. Make your dream connection list

If you don’t know what kinds of roles you want or the career trajectory you’re aiming for post-graduation, you might find yourself overwhelmed walking into a room full of corporate leaders. So take the time to outline your goals in advance.

Start with making a list of your dream companies—big or small, startup or Fortune 500, local or far away. If you don’t have any off the top of your head, dig around on job boards or talk with your fellow students to understand what organizations (or types of organizations) might speak to your skills and interests. Then, scour your school’s alumni database for employees at those companies. “They’ve just been in the job search trenches themselves and they remember how it feels, so they’re able to relate,” Margolis says. This list will act as your guide as you come across networking opportunities and events in your program.

3. Do your research—on the people and the company

Say you have a dream company in mind, and it just so happens that someone who works there is visiting campus in the coming weeks. You may have come across their LinkedIn profile or contact information. The best thing you can do to prepare for starting that conversation is to research the person—their background and what their current position entails—and read up on the organization’s latest news and accomplishments. 

From there, you can collect questions to ask about how the person broke in and what the job or company’s culture is like, as well as prep your own elevator pitch for open or upcoming roles. “Make sure you have examples in case they ask you to expound” on relevant skills or expertise, Margolis adds, such as stories of challenging or eye-opening projects from past jobs, internships, and classes.

4. Act (and dress) the part at school events

MBA programs know the value of networking, which is why they usually provide ample opportunities to practice and put yourself out there. “They’ll host these large meet-and-greet events where a group of alum will come to campus and speak to a network of students,” Margolis says. Sometimes, it’s just a presentation talking about what their company does, and other times, employers allow students to ask questions in smaller groups or one-on-one.

If you want to make an impression at an event like this, Margolis’ main piece of advice is to go in with the intent of connecting, not showing off or acting like the smartest person in the room. Not only is that a lot of pressure to put on yourself, but it’s a surefire way to come across as fake and unapproachable. In terms of your outfit, she adds, “You should dress the part according to how people dress at the firm or at the company, plus dialing it up half a notch.” This means that if they’re donning collared shirts and slacks, you might want to throw on a blazer. If the women dress in jeans, maybe swap yours out for slacks or a skirt—or level them up with a nice top.

Getting private facetime with someone you admire is a plus, but it’s not the only way to get something out of the experience. “Just being present and learning how alum talk about their company, how they answer questions, how they comport themselves—they’re all good indicators of what the people are like, and it gives you an idea of what the culture is like and what the work is,” she says.

You also don’t want to monopolize the person’s time if you do happen to get them alone. “Pick up on the cues when they need to extricate themselves,” Margolis says, and you’ll surely earn their respect.

5. Follow up

The last step is to follow up with a thank you note—after you’ve gotten their business card or email address, of course. You’ll not only want to thank them for their time and generosity but also use it as a chance to continue your conversation or stay in touch long term. “Even if you didn’t get a chance to talk with them one-on-one, mention something that was in their company presentation that stood out for you,” Margolis says. 

People are busy, so don’t be surprised if you don’t hear back right away, or at all. Margolis says it’s appropriate to follow up a couple times after seven to 10 business days of sending your last message—just make sure to differentiate it enough to grab their attention. “If you’ve heard something about the company or about the person’s team, something in the news, make it personal. Say, ‘Congratulations on your new acquisition,’ or, ‘I just saw your commercial over the weekend,’” she adds. 

Define your ideal job environment and research the people and companies who have it. Prepare for conversations with examples of your skills in action, and you’ll nail any networking moment that comes your way. 

Learn more: How family-friendly is an MBA program?

The ultimate goal of networking as an MBA student, whether it’s through a school experience or cold outreach on LinkedIn, is to land an informational interview—a crucial step toward an actual job interview and offer. It’s in this conversation where you can start to make your pitch for a job, as well as vet the company for fit.

“If it is an on-campus company, they will very likely have a structured process that filters you through people and one-on-one informational interviews, so you want to make sure you ask your school and follow that process,” Margolis says. But, if you’re able to finagle a meeting in other ways, make sure you take notes and come prepared with tailored questions. “Importantly, at the end, ask if there’s anyone else that they think you should speak to to learn more about the company,” she says. “Try to come away with a referral.”

Learn more: Does it matter to employers where you earned your MBAA?