Networking

Networking is the process of establishing relationships with people, exchanging information & ideas, and working together for future mutually beneficial exchanges.

You already have a network consisting of professors, co-workers, supervisors, friends, family, etc. Build your network by starting with your existing network and asking them to introduce you to people they know.

Networking:

• Serves to provide information, support, and job leads.
• Takes place in formal or informal settings.
• Assists in the choice of a major or career and can validate your career interests.
• Improves on your interpersonal and interviewing skills.
• Helps gather information about different types of careers and the job qualifications associated with those careers. Obtain advice about job searching.
• Can lead to mentoring relationships.
• Works best when you are being yourself. Genuinely seeking assistance and information can lead to positive results.

Steps for Networking – Adapted from University of Kansas School of Business

Step 1: Develop a list of potential contacts

• Potentially, everyone you know can help you develop your career and they may know someone who can also help you. Once your initial list is organized, actively work to expand your network.
• Paths for Networking include:
• Your parents’ friends
• Your friends’ parents
• School faculty/staff relationships
• Student and/or Greek organizations
• Professional organizations
• Attend conferences, seminars, etc.
• Sign up for listservs or contribute to committees
• Community involvement
• Company sponsored information sessions or evening presentations
• Informational Interviewing with alumni or professionals in the field
• Academic and career advisors
• Current and/or former employers
• Career fairs
• Social Networking
• LinkedIn – Check out the Learning Center on the LinkedIn website to learn how to use this social networking tool to your advantage.
• Twitter – Check out this blog post from our Internship Coordinator. Even though it is about internship searches, the same information applies to job searches.
• Also check out TwiTips for Beginners
• This online networking cheat sheet created by UW-La Crosse can be helpful for working on your on-line image.

Step 2: Organize Your Contacts

• Develop a system to assist you in maintaining your networking contacts (i.e. creating a spreadsheet).
• Be sure to include what they do, who they know, and what contact you have had with them.

Step 3: Outline Your Networking Objectives

• If you are in the initial stages of your career planning, you may want to use your contacts for informational interviewing and career research.
• If you are in the later stages of the process, you might consider networking to obtain job leads, referrals, or advice on how to conduct your job search.
• Go into an interview knowing what you hope to get out of it.
• Have prepared questions available to facilitate the discussion.

Step 4: Prepare!

• Review your accomplishments. Know what you are seeking and what you have to offer.
• Consider your skills, interests, and values. Knowing yourself will allow you to connect with contacts with greater ease and confidence and deliver the best impression.
• Have a solid version of your resume ready to give to the contact when you meet with them.
• Practice your introduction or “commercial.”
• This is a brief introduction of yourself. Good items to include are name, major/minor, year in school, and something unique about you (anything that has prepared you to take the next step in your career path).

Step 5: Decide how to make contact

• You might consider the following methods in initiating meetings or discussions with your contacts:
• Face-to-face (when possible, this method is generally best)
• Written letters
• Telephone calls
• E-mail
• Remember to communicate professionally, introduce yourself, state your purpose, and be polite. Use a style that is comfortable for you.
• If you leave a message or send a letter, let them know when you will be following up and then be sure to do so.

Step 6: Use your Communication Skills

• Be assertive, but not obnoxious.
• Listen intently to the information and advice that is being provided to you.
• Thank the networking contact for their time and assistance.
• Send a thank you note or e-mail to the contact after you have met with him/her.