Career Development Center

Presented by Nancy Stubblefield, Career Coordinator

College of Mass Communication

Networking or Not Working

What is Networking?

“Networking is making links from people we know to people they know, in an organized way, for a specific purpose, while remaining

committed to doing our part, expecting nothing in return.”

Donna Fisher and Sandy Vilas, Power Networking

Networking Involves:

• Establishing goals• Analyzing the kind of

help you need in achieving your goals

• Developing your interpersonal skills

• Building and cultivated your network Networking Exercise: Who do you

know in your network?

Why is Networking Important?

• Establishes a connection

• A referral generates 80% more results than a cold call

• Two-thirds of new hires did not respond to an opening posted on the Internet, anywhere

Things to consider

• People like to give advice

• People like to be recognized as a resource

• People like to be helpful

• Networking is a two-way street – it’s not just asking for help, but agreeing to be helpful in return

The Law of 250

• Every person knows as least 250 people• Each of your contacts knows at least 250

people – that’s 62,500 at your 2nd level• Each of your 2nd level contacts knows 250

people – that’s over 15,000,000

Corollary to Law of 250

• Typically not your 1st level contact that eventually hires you – contact will probably be 2, 3 or 4 levels deep

• Some sociologists have found that “acquaintances are more likely than family members to give individuals direct information and to recommend them for opportunities.”

Mark Granovetter, “The Strength of Weak Ties”

4 Layers of Separation

Level 1Contact

Level 2Contact

Level 3Contact

Level 4Contact

Your FriendAlice

Alice’s UncleBill

Bill’s FriendCarol

Carol’s BossDavid

You

Level 1 Contacts

• Friends• Neighbors• Relatives• Church members• Friends of parents/relatives• Teammates• Professors• High school teachers • Current/former classmates• Student organizations• MTSU alumni

• Career Development Center• Employers who give

presentations on campus• Former employers• Co-workers• Service providers• Other job candidates• Professional associations• People dependant on

networking (realtors, insurance agents, etc.)

Focus on the help you need

• Finding a job

• Asking for a referral

• Making a career change

• Increasing knowledge in targeted career area

• Improving visibility to others

• Generating new business/professional contacts

Tips and Techniques

• Assert yourself positively• Ask good questions• Be a good listener• Present yourself attractively• Be viewed as knowledgeable or

skillful in a particular area• Show interest in empowering others

Develop Interpersonal Skills

• Create an introductory opening line for recruiters at job fairs

• Develop an different line when you are asking the recruiter to pass your resume on to another person in his/her company

• Smile• Make eye contact• Practice!

Tips and Techniques

Networking at Formal Events

Tips and Techniques

• Never just use first name

• Print large and legibly• Wear name tags on RIGHT SIDE

(it’s in the line of sight when shaking hands)

• Add description below your name, when appropriate

Make your nametag work for you

Set Networking Goals

• Make at least one live networking contact per day

• Communicate regularly with your contacts

• Keep a log of all contact interactions

Everyone loves a college student

• Take advantage of being a student

• Current Students = Puppies

• Recent Grads = Stray Dogs

Say what?

• “May I ask for your advice?”• Develop a 10-second sound bite• Expand to a 30-second elevator pitch• Prepare a set of opening lines

– Statements/questions for career fairs, parties, professional association meetings, etc.

• Practice, practice, practice

Keep Your Network Going

• Don’t let your contact list gather dust

• Connect others• Keep your contacts

updated on your progress

• Always thank people• Don’t stop networking

when you get a job!

Sources

Seven Secrets to the Hidden Job Market-- Don Asher

Networking in the Real World: Turning Your Contacts into Careers

-- Maureen Smith

Web Resources

MTSU Career Development Centerwww.mtsu.edu/~career

Quintessential Careerswww.quintcareers.com

Rutherford County Chamber of Commercewww.rutherfordchamber.org

Nashville Area Chamber of Commercewww.nashvillechamber.com