NetworkingNetworking

Rosemarie Sena Center Rosemarie Sena Center

Career Development ServicesCareer Development Services

Networking BasicsNetworking Basics

1) Begin with someone you know.

2) Get referrals.

3) Keep getting referrals.

At the 10th level, you will have 1,024

referrals!!

Networking ObjectivesNetworking Objectives

1.1. Find Someone:Find Someone: Who will talk with Who will talk with

you, andyou, and Who knows other Who knows other

peoplepeople

2.2. Your Objectives:Your Objectives: Learn something new Learn something new

about your career about your career fieldfield

Ask about internships Ask about internships and job opportunitiesand job opportunities

Get 2 referralsGet 2 referrals

3.3. Follow Up!!Follow Up!!

Network ContactsNetwork Contacts

ParentsParents NeighborsNeighbors FriendsFriends FacultyFaculty Career Planning StaffCareer Planning Staff Alumnae/iAlumnae/i Professional Professional

OrganizationsOrganizations

Civic OrganizationsCivic Organizations– KiwanisKiwanis– RotaryRotary– Lions Lions

Churches/SynagoguesChurches/Synagogues EmployersEmployers

– JobsJobs– InternshipsInternships– VolunteerVolunteer

OthersOthers

Getting StartedGetting Started

Plan Plan youryour agenda agenda– What do you hope to What do you hope to

accomplish (goals)?accomplish (goals)?» Job, Internship, or Job, Internship, or

Summer JobSummer Job

» InformationInformation

» ReferralsReferrals

IntroductionsIntroductions

Introduce YourselfIntroduce Yourself– 3 Components3 Components

» Education & TrainingEducation & Training

» SkillsSkills

» ExperienceExperience

Be prepared to answer “interview type” Be prepared to answer “interview type” questionsquestions

Questions to AskQuestions to Ask

Information about the personInformation about the person– What do you do?What do you do?– How long have you been in the field?How long have you been in the field?

Information about the organizationInformation about the organization– Who do you work for?Who do you work for?– How large is the organization?How large is the organization?– Where is the organization located?Where is the organization located?– How do people enter the organization?How do people enter the organization?

Questions About the FieldQuestions About the Field

What do you like most about it?What do you like most about it? How did you get into the field?How did you get into the field? What do you dislike about the What do you dislike about the

field?field? What are good sources of What are good sources of

experience/information about experience/information about the field?the field?

Does the field require an Does the field require an advanced degree or special advanced degree or special training?training?

Networking Do’sNetworking Do’s Continue to nurture, cultivate and use Continue to nurture, cultivate and use

your network.your network. Strategically plan & market yourself. Strategically plan & market yourself.

Ask yourself, “Who do I need to Ask yourself, “Who do I need to know?”know?”

Engage people so they can see your Engage people so they can see your value.value.

Volunteer. Put yourself in a position Volunteer. Put yourself in a position to network.to network.

Develop a career objective.Develop a career objective. Keep abreast of what is going on in Keep abreast of what is going on in

your field.your field. Send thank you letters. Follow up is Send thank you letters. Follow up is

important.important.

Networking Don’tsNetworking Don’ts

Start the networking process if Start the networking process if you are not committed to making you are not committed to making contacts on a regular basis.contacts on a regular basis.

Appear to be too self-serving.Appear to be too self-serving. Hide on campus. Get out and Hide on campus. Get out and

meet people.meet people. Call people by their first names Call people by their first names

without their permission.without their permission. Forget to ask, “What can I do to Forget to ask, “What can I do to

help you?”help you?”

Next StepsNext Steps

How can the “contact” help you?How can the “contact” help you?– To whom can they refer you?To whom can they refer you?– Can you use their name(s)?Can you use their name(s)?– Can they sponsor you in an internship, etc?Can they sponsor you in an internship, etc?

Follow-upFollow-up– Discuss how you can/should proceedDiscuss how you can/should proceed– Send a thank you letterSend a thank you letter