How To Network Your Way To A Job

How to Network your Way to a JobPRSA University Liaison Committee

toolkit• Physical• Virtual• Personality• Goals

personal branding• Physical

– Biz card– Resume– Cover letter, references– Portfolio– Leave behinds– Wardrobe and look – in person and avatars

Cheery perkyThoughtful observerDetailed journalistPunky tech geek

Sports media fanatic

OWN IT.Be unique, be memorable, be yourself.

personal branding• Virtual: You must search yourself!

– Portfolio – use a blog, visualcv, carbonmade, figdig*– Blog/website*– LinkedIn profile*– Facebook profile– Google, Brazen Careerist profiles– Twitter profile– Video resume– Email address

find people• People you know• OSU resources• PRSA University Liaison group• ColumbusInternships.com• Industry associations: AMA, PRSA, AdFed, Social Media club• Meetup groups or campus groups• Business Journal lists• Recruiters

how to meet peopleEverybody

knows somebody.

You just have to

get to other

people’s somebodie

s.

meet people• Group situations

Industry meetings, tweetups or informal meetups• One-on-one

– social media– informational interviews– casual coffee/lunch meetings

“I don’t know anyone!”“I’m not from here!”

“Where do you start?”

group situations

meetings & events• Go to as many as you can, as soon as you can.• Dress smart• Have a wingman• Be prepared – know something coming in• Bring your A-list• Make a goal: At least 3 solid connections, 5 biz

cards• Come early, stay late• Be prepared for the awkwardness

one-on-one

how to: intros• First, connect – in person, via e-mail, get

introduced, cold call, tweet

• The ask – Make it non-threatening, casual, learning-focused

how to: logistics• Get there – Be early. Know what they look like.

(Cyberstalk!) You don’t have to pay. You do have to dress up – always better over than under.

• Pick a good time/place – Later in the week best.• Be able to find each other – exchange cell phone

numbers, know their face.

how to: convos• Be ready with good questions and examples• Be able to lead the conversation • Do’s and don’ts• Get them interested in you – genuine enthusiasm.• Get their connections.

Conversation starters:• Where from• What want to do• Industry segments• Changes, adaptation• Their job, time at org• Your key experiences• Stories

how to: info interviews• Call it a “chat”• 20-30 min• Have good examples ready• More formal• Know the company• Know the clients• Specific questions• Feel out future opportunities, cycle

how to: gratitude• Thank you notes: Email vs. postal mail• Reiterate key parts of convo• Further state your skills• Tell them what you learned or will look into• Give them ways to stay connected

strategize: follow-up• Get strategic

– Have a ‘hit list’ & frequency goals– Keep a record – it makes you feel productive– Find reasons to reconnect, touch base

• Interesting articles• New info about topic discussed• Ask about meeting up at an industry event• Met someone they know

be realistic• Set yourself up to succeed• Skills and experiences, strengths and weaknesses• What you’ve got ready• What makes you excited• Be open to new experiences, people

It’s ok to start small. Some of the best experiences are things you really CARE about, take time to CREATE or TRANSLATE into

skills for the workplace.

don’t limit yourself• Experience – it all counts!

– Campus activities– Part-time or contracted work/freelance– Non-profit and volunteer organizations– Student activities groups– Make it up– Classwork

Crystal OligOxiem Marketing Technology

crystal.a.olig@gmail.com@sparklegem614.423.9321

Questions?