When people allow you into their companies to shadow employees on the job, it is a gift and a privilege. Make the most of that opportunity! How do you do that? By building a strong rapport with the people you meet so it can open doors for you in the future. Here's how:

Be Grateful. Most likely, your job shadow partner has taken time from his day to spend with you or has volunteered to give you an up-close look at his workplace. Seek to understand your job shadow partner so you can be sensitive to the valuable time he is are giving you. If you convey your gratitude and offer to help him in some way, such as filing some papers or making copies, he will be more likely to work with you in the future. You will have returned the volunteer's goodwill with some very positive and generous gestures of your own. In business, this is the foundation of how things happen. So the first bit of advice is to be grateful for the time you are given by your job shadow partner and the company, and ask how you can help.

Be Attentive. Ask your job shadow partner questions with a genuine level of interest and try to find out what is at the heart of what he does at the job. What was your partner's career path? What did he do when he was your age? What do you have in common with him? What would he do differently now? Asking these kinds of questions is one of the best ways for you to really connect with the people you job shadow. In addition, you will gain valuable information on what really sparks your passions and interests.