NETWORKING 101:IN PERSON AND ONLINE

Meet the Panelists

Brooke Fessler, Epsilon Kappa '97

Christina Patton, Epsilon Psi '97

Deanna Merino-Contino, Gamma Nu '95

Dolores Tersigni, Delta Mu '95

What is Networking?

o The act of meeting new people in a business or social context

o Developing strong connections and relationships with others within your career area

o It’s being engaged and engaging with others

“Selling” Yourself vs. Networking

Saying “Hi” and passing out business cards

One-way street: “I want to tell you all about me!”

Does not include any follow up

Conversation + interest = exchange of information

Two-way street: “What can we do for each other?”

It takes time to build credibility + trust

SELLING NETWORKING

In Person + Online

Networking In-Person

Never Eat Alone (the book + the meal)

Mentally prepare: What’s the plan?

Have a 60-second “Elevator Speech” ready

Use your recruitment skills Introduce, investigate, impress + bump

Networking Online

You are your profile

Take it all in before you type

Establish yourself in the community

Equal parts of asking, sharing + promoting

Do’s + Don’ts

Networking Do’s

Join a professional organization

Volunteer

Find a mentor

Organize your contacts

Ask for informational interviews

Keep networking

Networking Don’ts

Forget your resume or networking cards

Be afraid to ask for help

Think that networking happens only at “events”

Neglect to thank everyone who has been helpful

So Now What?

Tips: New Contacts

Be the first to make follow-up contact

Choose your method of contact wisely

Keep the person that referred you in the loop

Tips: Existing Contacts

Send Updates: How are things are going

Be Interesting: Articles, videos, etc

Provide Help: Referral, volunteers, info

Getting Started

Freshman Year

o Participate in organizations and activities

o Get to know your…o University faculty/staff o Fellow students o Alpha Chi advisors/alumnae

o Get a “big girl” email address

Sophomore Year

o Create a resume

o Explore internship opportunities

o Join student/professional organizations

o Order networking cards

Junior Year

o Make a list of companies you’d like to work for

o Create a list of potential networking contacts

o Conduct informational interviews

o Join online discussion groups

Senior Year

o Decide where you want to live after graduation

o Investigate professional organizations

o Explore campus career services

o “Work” your contacts

After Graduation

o Join an ΑΧΩ alumnae chapter

o Local and “home” chapter

o Join your university’s Alumni Association

o Keep in touch with key classmates

Resources

o Book: Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time

o Networking Cards: www.vistaprint.com

o Online Resume: www.eporftfolio.com

o BEC: www.businesseducationlinks.org

Questions?

Your turn to talk…

What do you want to know?

Today’s Homework

The Assignment

Make five or more contacts today

Choose at least three to follow-up this week

Put one thing you learned today into action