Lose the Fear and Start Making Contacts Networking your way to your Dream Career

Presented by Clark University Career Services

Networking ....

• Gives you earlier chance opportunities, sometimes at a time when you can influence job description, level, and pay

• Gets you access to people who might not be responsive to a direct approach letter

• Provides you with the added recommendation from someone the hiring manager knows

• 40-50% of jobs are filled by candidates referred by staff members

Networking Truths and Myths

• Networking is NOT something to be feared

• Networking is NOT brown-nosing, begging, or harassing

• Networking IS making acquaintances who have the potential to help you on your career path OR for you to help them

MYTH

TRUTH

How to Begin Networking

• Personal Contact List• Figuring out your

Direction!!• Adding to your Social

Calendar• Developing your

Elevator Speech• Creating an Approach

Letter

Contact List Pyramid• A List

– Family– Friends– Co-workers– Anyone you know directly

• B List– Contacts obtained through A

List

• C List– Contacts obtained through B

List

Where to Build your Contacts:• Professional Networks

– Professional Associations– College/HS Alumni– Former Bosses, coworkers

• Social Networks– Religious Groups– Continuing Education– Social Groups– Political Groups– Teams– Clubs– Hobbies

Personal Groupsfamilyfriendsclergyneighbors

A List -- the Easy Stage• Approach A List with your ‘Help Me’ speech• Ask for people, places, and ideas to find more

contacts • Ask A List to review resume or elevator speech

-- especially if they’re in the field you’re interested in!

How to work your B List

• B Group Contact Options– Approach Letter– Phone Call– Introduction at a

Social Event– ‘Run’ into them– Be Creative– NO RESUMES!

• What do you say?– Request an Informational

Interview– Elevator Speech– Just get to know them

What is an Approach Letter?

• An Approach Letter is simply a written version of your elevator speech.

• It includes how you found out about this company, why you’re contacting them, your skills and qualifications, your contact information, etc.

• The Approach Letter can be used when another form of contact would be inappropriate or as a follow up to a brief previous conversation.

The Elevator Speech• Definition: An elevator speech is a brief (10-15 seconds) oral

presentation, usually in person, to an employer, which promotes your match to an employer (and possibly a job!)

• Objective: To present yourself in a memorable fashion and make a strong (and positive) impression with the employer

Five Key Steps: • Greeting

• Focus

• Skills

• Employer

• Questions

Suave Social Networking(James Bond Skills)

• #1 Treat Networking Like a Game• Honor the Networking Code• Keep track of your Contacts• Look for Opportunities others might

miss• Know who is on the guest list• Have your survival kit• Hold your drink with your left hand• Spend no more than 8 minutes with

each contact

Social GracesDO NOTS

• Avoid Grilling!!!• Do not give Resume!!!• Do not get drunk!!!• Do not speak negatively

about other people, places, things!!!

• Go beyond your limits!!!

DO’S• Proper Introductions• Hand Shaking• Eye Contact• Easy Conversation• Provide a business

Card• Smile

Big Picture Networking

A

B

C D

You

Party A

Party B Event A

Keeping the Contact Chain Linked

• Thank You Letters• Keep Contacts

Informed• Thought you’d be

interested in this... Letters

• Phone Calls• Emails

Networking Responsibilities• 1. Take responsibility -- it’s your career• 2. Develop Career and Job Focus• 3. Prepare a skill-based Resume• 4. Conduct Advanced employer research• 5. Develop an extensive list of contacts• 6. Plan your networking strategy and timelines• 7. Budget your time• 8. Develop and practice your ‘pitch’/ ‘elevator speech’• 9. Send thank you letters• 10. Practice 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Degree Networking

Questions