Net

What is Networking? Networking is an integral and ongoing part of career development. Networking involves talking with people in your field of interest to explore career options, gather information, and understand how to market yourself to potential employers. Networking is one of the most effective ways to build your career and keep up with developments in your field.

Before the Meeting

Define your goals for the meeting. Some sample goals:

To acquire information about work responsibilities, trends, educational and entry requirements (also called an informational interview)

To target a specific position within a company

To find out how to get an internship or job in a specific industry

To find out who else you can talk to in a specific industry/company

To “get to know” people in an industry as potential contacts

Identify your network. Start with who you know: family, friends, faculty, advisors, students, and previous supervisors are just some of the contacts to begin with! NU resources are listed below

Have your resume prepared

Prepare a list of potential questions to ask (guided by goals)

Making the Initial Contact

Initial contact can be by phone or email

Introduce yourself

Tell the contact how you got their information and your relationship to that person

Identify the purpose of your call:

“Mr. Potter, my name is Patty Swanson and your cousin Lucy Gates is my roommate here at NU. She thought it would be beneficial for us to meet. I am currently a sophomore and I am very interested in advertising. I would love to talk to you for anywhere between 10-30 minutes to find out more about your job and how I might access opportunities in advertising. Would it be possible to

meet with you sometime within the 2 weeks at your convenience?”

During the Meeting

Dress professionally

Give your 30 second “story.” Your story is a brief summary of your strengths and career goals:

“I’m John Scott. I am currently double majoring in Economics and Political Science. I have been involved in a faculty research project this year. I would like to find a summer internship in economic consulting, where I can use my quantitative, research, and leadership skills, as well as learn if economic consulting is a good fit for me”.

Guide the flow of conversation by using your goals and questions

Ask for referrals to other people in the field

Listen and take notes

Don’t ask for an internship/job

Make sure you say thank you!

Ask for a business card

After the Meeting

Process: write down your thoughts, feelings, reactions to what you learned

Follow up with a thank you email immediately and a letter no less than 2 days after your conversation!

Maintaining Your Network

Keep them in the loop: be sure to inform your contacts of any developments that happened as a result off your meeting (e.g. job offer, making decisions about your career, gaining other contacts, etc)

Reciprocate whenever possible (e.g., pass on information that may be useful to the contact, serve as a reference for that contact, etc.)

NU Networking Resources Kellogg Mentors Program: Current Kellogg students who act as career mentors. Come to UCS (620 Lincoln St) to sign-up and find mentors.

Networking

University Career Services

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Northwestern University

Facebook: facebook.com/northwesternUCS

Twitter: twitter.com/northwesternUCS

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=1926036

Blog: northwesternuniversitycareerservices.wordpress.com

University Career Services

Main Location: 620 Lincoln Street

Career Lab: Main Library, Core Reserves, 2nd Flr

Phone: 847-491-3700

www.northwestern.edu/careers

Northwestern Externship Program (NEXT): In

January the NU Alumni Association & UCS coordinate a

program allowing students to shadow and network with

alumni March-April throughout the US and

internationally.

Northwestern Alumni Association CareerNet:

Database of Alumni in all fields and geographic areas.

Search by industry, geographic location, and degree.

https://www.nwuconnection.com/

Northwestern Alumni Local Clubs: Consider contacting

alumni chapters or clubs in the city you are seeking to

relocate to for a job or internship.

http://www.alumni.northwestern.edu/clubs

LinkedIn: A popular professional networking website.

The NU Alumni Association, UCS, and specific companies

have linked in groups. Register for LinkedIn and request to

join under “Groups”. www.linkedin.com