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networkingWhat is Networking?
The action or process of making use of a network of people for the exchange of information, etc., or for professional or other advantage.
-Oxford English Dictionary
There are lots of people who aren’t as capable, qualified, talented and nice as you, yet they are advancing simply because they connect with others and make themselves ‘visible.’
In networking, it is what you know and who knows you!
networking
Everyone knows other people and therefore has a network. However,
networking implies movement beyond one’s immediate network and involves tapping into other people’s networks.
networkingWhy Network?
300-1,000 job applicants
10-30 screened interviews
3-5 second interviews
2-3 finalists
1 hiredYou need to enlist any and all
resources to get noticed and hired!
networkingThe Goals of Networking
Build relationships that are mutually
beneficial
Gather information
Increase your exposure
Obtain referrals
Open doors
networkingIs Not
A two-way street
A communication skill used in everyday life
A learned behavior that becomes second nature
once you do it
Only effective if used and used properly
A short-term fix to an employment challenge
Just for finding an internship/job
Merely handing out resumes
Connecting only with people in your field and
friends
The number of contacts you make
Superficial socializing
Asking for an unreasonable favor
networkingEmployer Advantages You
Create a pool of qualified candidates before an opening
occurs
Reduce time spent finding prospective employees
Lower recruitment costs
Enhance college recruitment efforts
Learn about new trends, events or facts
Some people/organizations enjoy giving back and helping
others!
Keep professionals in your field informed
Get leads on opportunities that are never advertised
Exposure to terminology specific to your field
Improve your interviewing/questioning skills
Build confidence
networking
Build a network when you don’t need it,
so that it is therewhen you do.
networking
You
People you know
Mutual acquaintances
Cold contacts
Who Makes Up Your Network
networkingDetermining Your Network
Personal: people you don’t encounter in your
employment capacityFamily, friends and other peers
Professional: people you encounter at work,
who can comment on your work, who
understand technical details of your professionFaculty, staff, supervisors, co-workers, conferences
Organizational: overlaps with professional
networkOrganizational affiliations, community groups,
professional groups, alumni
Opportunistic: chance connections, accidental
conversationsClubs, sports, commuting, waiting in line, restaurants,
social events
networkingPreparing For Your Network
Self AssessmentDescribe yourself, review experience, update
resume/CVDetermine exactly what you can do for an
employerPractice your professional behavior and
questioning skillsBrush up on proper etiquetteBegin dressing for successCreate networking cardsMonitor your online presence
networking
Matching solid-color, 2-piece suit (either pant suit or skirt suit), preferably a dark color such as navy or gray; or tailored dress with jacket
Tailored fit, knee-length hem with no extreme slits
Shirt with collar, or tailored blouse (no ruffles or lace), white or light color; no cleavage showing
Dark, closed-toed shoes with 1-2” heel
Minimal jewelry, make-up or scent
No visible piercings or tattoos
What to Wear—women
networking
Matching solid-color, 2-piece suit, preferably a dark color such as navy or gray
Tailored fit, including pants length
Shirt with collar, white or light color
Tie required – no extreme prints or patterns
Dark-colored shoes, leather or leather-look, well-maintained and polished
Dress socks, dark in color
Minimal jewelry or scent
No visible piercings or tattoos
What to Wear—men
networking
Everyone is an opportunityand
opportunity is everywhere
networkingWhere Do You Network?
In classes and at work
Social events—formal and informal
Professional, academic and volunteer events
Formal networking functions
While traveling—business or pleasure
Career fairs, conferences, seminars
Social and professional clubs/organizations
Online social and professional communities
Everywhere!
networkingNetworking Functions
Dress appropriately and be well groomedSmileFirm handshakeStand tall; No fidgeting or other distracting
behaviorContinuously make eye contact—60-70% of the
timeDon’t mistake hors d’oeuvres for dinnerMingle and know when and how to politely walk
awayEngage in conversation, not a sales pitch
Be curious, ask open-ended questions that yield more than a yes/no answer
Actively listen and follow-up as appropriateUse proper grammar; refrain from verbal pausesAvoid politics, religion and personal questions
Remember people love to talk about themselves!
networking
Hi, how are you? Wow, can you believe this
weather? Gas prices?
Hi, I’m _______ , with _______
Are you here for the conference?
So what brought you _______?
… Really, what do you do?
How did you become interested in _______?
I like your _______
Cold Conversation Starters
networkingInformational Interviews
Best way to gain knowledge about an area of work
The interviewYou are the interviewerDo research on interviewee, career field and companyPrepare questions in advance Introduce yourself (elevator speech) with name dropPurpose is to gather information and make contactNo bait and switchSeek at least two referralsObserve time limitLeave your networking card
Follow upSend a hand-written or typed thank you note within 24
hours. No e-mail
networking
How did you get to your current position?
What advice would you give someone interested
in your position?
What types of positions/employers do you
recommend?
What common career paths could your position
lead to?
What journals/professional
organizations/meetings/events do you
recommend?
What concerns do you have about the
field/organization?/What do you think about …
(hot topic/relevant current event)
Can you recommend two people that I contact for
additional insight?
I value your opinion, would you review my
resume/CV?
II Questions
networking
Pre-planningDetermine who will be there that you want to meetWhat do you want to express to them?
At the conferenceTalk to speakers, people sitting around youMake lunch/dinner plans with new peopleGet friends, profs, etc. to introduce youMake eye contact and smile; Don’t interrupt heavy
conversationFollow-up
Take notes on what comes nextSend related papers to contacts and seek theirsRead their work and share commentsSeek joint research/work opportunities
Conference Networking
networking
Organization is the keyto success
networkingOrganizing Your Network
Establish a database or spreadsheet to track key informationContact names, titles, company names,
addresses, etc.Phone and fax #’s, e-mail addresses, dates of
communicationWhat was discussed and what you learned
Organize business cards for contactsSystematically file resumes, cover letters,
employment applications, notes and memosOnline networking sites usually track
information for you
networkingProfessional version of facebookMore than 250 million users from 200
countriesPost an e-resumé, with
recommendationsExplore career paths, search for jobs,
research employersJoin interest organizations and groupsMake ‘insider’ connectionsGet introduced to others through your
networkInform others of your endeavorsExtras—blog, Twitter, WordPress, ask
questions, reading list
networking
What medium works for you?Speed networking, online, classes, social or
professional settingWhat needs tweaking?
Public speaking, eye contact, elevator speechWhat additional kinds of resources/help do you
need?Resume, networking cards, clothing
What contacts/groups are particularly helpful?Professional, educational, religious, social
Evaluate Your Networking Strategies
networkingKeys to Success
Start networking with those you are most
comfortable with
Belong and make acquaintances before you need
them
Keep your network alive
Seek advice, not help
Share ways you can contribute when networking
Practice makes perfect
Be prepared—questions, business cards, resume/CV
Thank those who are particularly helpful
networkingNever Stop Networking
People will enter and leave your networkSome contacts will add value, some will have no
impactYou are always being observed so put the best
you forwardTo be effective at networking you must be
politely curious about othersNetworking works best when it is a two-way
street—give and receiveWhen you help others find opportunities, the
same will happen to you
networking
You can make more friends in two months by becoming really interested in other people, than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.
-Dale Carnegie
networking
Interact with students in with other majorsMeet faculty in your department and related
fields Introduce yourself to someone new in this
session
It’s Your Career,So Develop It!
Start Networking Today
