NETWORKING GUIDE

CONTRIBUTOR: CAREERS SERVICE, ANNA PERSSON

NETWORK YOUR WAY

TO A JOB

Networking is an important part of any job

search. It’s the process of establishing

contacts for the purpose of gathering

information, communicating your career

goals, seeking advice, and obtaining

leads on jobs.

But if you’re like most students the

thought of networking could feel

intimidating!

And yet, it’s true. Networking is your

best return on investment when it

comes to landing a job.

CONCRETE TIPS TO EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Networking is about people helping people. It’s about actively creating and

maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with others, particularly those

in your fields of interest. Networking is all about communication but it’s not

about selling.

Create a list of primary contacts

Your primary contacts are people you already know, family members and

friends for example. Let them know about your career goals and ask them

whether they know of anyone who works in your area and who might be

helpful in your job search.

Create new contacts

Get in touch with the contacts family and friends have referred to you. Tell

them about your career goals, skills and experiences. You can also create

new contacts by joining professional associations and organizations,

attend career-related event and by volunteering or doing an internship.

CONCRETE TIPS TO EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Arrange information interviews

Information interviewing is meeting someone currently working for an

organization, or in an occupation of interest, in order to increase your

knowledge of the career you are targeting. It also helps grow your contacts

in that field. You can also do an information interview on the phone, but

even better if you meet in person.

Follow up

The importance maintaining and caring about relationships cannot be

overstated, as many people neglect this step. If you haven’t talked to

someone in a very long time, it can feel awkward asking them for a favor

when you haven’t done anything to maintain the relationship in the

meantime.

CONCRETE TIPS TO EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Say Thank You!

Also make sure to thank people at every opportunity you

have. Let them know if you have met with someone they

introduced you to and let them know how it went. I you share

your success and progress and say thank you, these people

are more likely to help you again. Also remember to give

back when you can.

Tip! Be proactive in seeking information and creating

contacts. The more people who know about you and the

kinds of positions you are interested in, the better.

GET COMFORTABLE WITH NETWORKING

Career success depends – partially, at least – on your ability to

create relationships and make connections. In other words,

networking. Networking comes naturally to some people but

can be challenging for introverts.

The good news is that introverts can be just as effective,

successful and socially able as extroverts.

PRACTICAL TIPS TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE

NETWORKING EVENTS MORE SUCCESSFULLY

Find out who is attending

Find out in advance, if possible, who else will be there. You can

deliberately seek out people you’re most interested in talking with. This

strategy is useful for everyone, but it especially allows introverts to use

their time most efficiently.

Introductions

If you’re uncomfortable approaching someone directly, ask the host or

organizer to make introductions.

Volunteer

If possible volunteer on the welcoming committee – having a specific

function makes it easier to talk to people and gives you a purpose as you

attend to the needs of other guests.

PRACTICAL TIPS…

Start a conversation

Prepare some conversation starters and questions

beforehand. To start a conversation, make small talk

about the event and/or the speaker. This is a great way

to build rapport. Keeping up-to-date with current trends

and reading the newspapers daily before going to such

events could serve as an important tool when

networking.

Prepare your introduction

Prepare (and practice) your own brief introduction.

When you prepare your introduction ask yourself the

following questions: Who am I? What do I offer? What

problem is solved? What are the main contributions I

can make? What should the listener do as a result of

hearing this?

PRACTICAL TIPS…

Ask questions

Getting people to talk about themselves is a good way of

getting them to open up. By asking questions you accomplish

several important things at the same time.

Use open-end questions in your networking conversations.

Open-end questions are the ones that can’t be answered with

a simple yes or no.

Ask questions starting with who, what, where, when and how.

This type of questioning opens up the conversation and it

shows the listeners that you are interested.

PRACTICAL TIPS…

Be memorable

Bring business cards - there are a number of

online services where you can order business

cards at a fairly cheap price.

Arrival

Arrive early before crowds arrive – this helps

people who are shy to find others to talk with

before little groups are formed.

Bring a friend

Knowing there’s someone in the room who will

be happy to include you in a conversation can

take the pressure off. If the friend is more of an

extrovert than you are, he or she may help

make introductions for you.

PRACTICAL TIPS…

Be a good listenerIf you happen to be more of an introvert you probably have good listening skills.

Listening is an excellent way to get to know a person and listening for the needs and problems of others give you the opportunity to recognize also how you can help others.

Talk to many or only a fewDon’t try to talk to everyone – instead, set a goal, some number of people that you think you can reasonably talk with. If you have a list of people attending, target a couple of people that are of special interest to you.

If you happen to see someone standing alone, looking a bit lost, go and talk to them. They may be shy or introvert and will most likely be grateful for you taking the initiative.

PRACTICAL TIPS…

Follow up

Send an email or call the people you met and acknowledge the

conversation you had. Perhaps send information or suggest resources in

follow-up to what you learned about their needs or goals. You can also

suggest an in-depth conversation over coffee or lunch, if you feel it’s

appropriate to ask.

Do it your way

Have an open mind and show a genuine interest in the people you meet.

Networking is vital and you will need to build, develop and nurture your

relationships but you can do this on your own terms.

Occasionally, you’ll need to step outside your comfort zone – but you don’t

have to be a super-connector to be a success.