Networking

Building Contacts

Why is it important?

“You can find out about unadvertised openings by

talking to as many people as possible”

What is networking?

en.wiktionary.org/wiki/networking

“Meeting new people in a business

or social context”

When is the

right time to network?

When?

Job Fairs

Start With…

Self Assessment

Get to know your strengths and weaknesses

Join a professional organization/network related to your field (e.g. LinkedIn).

Participate in relevant discussions!

Try to find a mentor for yourself

Can be your teacher, colleague, or anyone who has professional experience

Mentorship

Want to prepare for some job fairs, networking nights or corporate events coming up. What should you do to make the most out of these opportunities?

How to prepare for some job fairs,

networking nights or corporate events?

When attending events, talk to people you don’t know!

To maximize networking opportunities. 

Stay polite and be open to learning!

Ice Breakers…Address people by their first name

This personalizes the conversation and makes them feel connected.

Don't Be Aggressive! Start with some casual conversation before talking about work.

If you are already employed,

carry your business card with you and exchange them.

Don’t barge in on a group and dominate the conversation!

What if I am

shy?

Be Genuinely Curious! Encourage others to talk about themselves. Everyone has a story, so listen and ask open-ended questions that allow for conversation.

Learn something from everyone you talk to! Some of the best conversationalists do very little talking.

Find common ground with new people. Ask them about their interests

outside of work.

Don’t approach networking events as sales opportunities.

Workshops, conferences and job fairs are opportunities to meet people, to create likability and commonality; the two

cornerstones of networking.

Get to the event early! This way, you have a chance to talk to people one-on-one

Talk trash or get too personal.Do not talk about your personal woes or problems at work. People may remember you, but not for the right reasons.

Mention your business first. You’re at the event to meet people, not conduct business

Promote or sell yourself to the people you meet. The best way to “work the room” is to find someone and ask them about themselves and their interests.

Don't…

Come up with a system for organizing your network contacts

whether on a spreadsheet, a binder, email or your phone.

Initiate informational interviews

 One of the best ways to gain more information about an occupation or industry

Keep in mind! The purpose of the informational interview is

to obtain information not to get a job.

.

Don't be afraid to ask for help! Most people are flattered to be asked for assistance

and advice with your job search.

Suggest a tip, tool, reference, book, website or referral to help that person

out. The other person will like your helpfulness, ask questions, and

request your business card.

Thank everyone in your network who have been helpful to you (through an email or a call/text). Your Contacts will remember your good manners.

Keep networking even after you've found a job. You never

know when you might need your network contacts again.

Don't…

Don't Use and Abuse! Networking is about creating mutually beneficial

relationships, helping others, meeting a wide variety of interesting people and creating solid,

long-term relationships.

Don’t use it for short-term, one-sided gain.

If the topic of your employment situation comes up and you have the opportunity to talk about your job search, state

specifically what kind of job you're seeking, as well as the industry and any specific companies that interest them.

Make it easy for people to help you

Most importantly

Don‘t expect instant results

from your contacts!

Be patient, as it takes a while before people are comfortable

enough to offer you a referral.

Want to read more?

• Career Networking Do's and Don'ts by Katharine Hansen, Ph.D.

http://www.quintcareers.com/networking-dos-donts.html

• Top Networking Do’s and Don’ts by Tia Jackson, April 25, 2011 http://brandmakernews.com/personal-brand/5337/top-networking-dos-and-donts.html

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Networking by Monika Jansenhttp://www.networksolutions.com/smallbusiness/2011/02/the-do%E2%80%99s-and-don%E2%80%99ts-of-networking/