Networki ng
Networking
Building Contacts
Why is it important?
“You can find out about unadvertised openings by
talking to as many people as possible”
What is networking?
en.wiktionary.org/wiki/networking
“Meeting new people in a business
or social context”
When is the
right time to network?
When?
Job Fairs
Start With…
Self Assessment
Get to know your strengths and weaknesses
Join a professional organization/network related to your field (e.g. LinkedIn).
Participate in relevant discussions!
Try to find a mentor for yourself
Can be your teacher, colleague, or anyone who has professional experience
Mentorship
Want to prepare for some job fairs, networking nights or corporate events coming up. What should you do to make the most out of these opportunities?
How to prepare for some job fairs,
networking nights or corporate events?
When attending events, talk to people you don’t know!
To maximize networking opportunities.
Stay polite and be open to learning!
Ice Breakers…Address people by their first name
This personalizes the conversation and makes them feel connected.
Don't Be Aggressive! Start with some casual conversation before talking about work.
If you are already employed,
carry your business card with you and exchange them.
Don’t barge in on a group and dominate the conversation!
What if I am
shy?
Be Genuinely Curious! Encourage others to talk about themselves. Everyone has a story, so listen and ask open-ended questions that allow for conversation.
Learn something from everyone you talk to! Some of the best conversationalists do very little talking.
Find common ground with new people. Ask them about their interests
outside of work.
Don’t approach networking events as sales opportunities.
Workshops, conferences and job fairs are opportunities to meet people, to create likability and commonality; the two
cornerstones of networking.
Get to the event early! This way, you have a chance to talk to people one-on-one
Talk trash or get too personal.Do not talk about your personal woes or problems at work. People may remember you, but not for the right reasons.
Mention your business first. You’re at the event to meet people, not conduct business
Promote or sell yourself to the people you meet. The best way to “work the room” is to find someone and ask them about themselves and their interests.
Don't…
Come up with a system for organizing your network contacts
whether on a spreadsheet, a binder, email or your phone.
Initiate informational interviews
One of the best ways to gain more information about an occupation or industry
Keep in mind! The purpose of the informational interview is
to obtain information not to get a job.
.
Don't be afraid to ask for help! Most people are flattered to be asked for assistance
and advice with your job search.
Suggest a tip, tool, reference, book, website or referral to help that person
out. The other person will like your helpfulness, ask questions, and
request your business card.
Thank everyone in your network who have been helpful to you (through an email or a call/text). Your Contacts will remember your good manners.
Keep networking even after you've found a job. You never
know when you might need your network contacts again.
Don't…
Don't Use and Abuse! Networking is about creating mutually beneficial
relationships, helping others, meeting a wide variety of interesting people and creating solid,
long-term relationships.
Don’t use it for short-term, one-sided gain.
If the topic of your employment situation comes up and you have the opportunity to talk about your job search, state
specifically what kind of job you're seeking, as well as the industry and any specific companies that interest them.
Make it easy for people to help you
Most importantly
Don‘t expect instant results
from your contacts!
Be patient, as it takes a while before people are comfortable
enough to offer you a referral.
Want to read more?
• Career Networking Do's and Don'ts by Katharine Hansen, Ph.D.
http://www.quintcareers.com/networking-dos-donts.html
• Top Networking Do’s and Don’ts by Tia Jackson, April 25, 2011 http://brandmakernews.com/personal-brand/5337/top-networking-dos-and-donts.html
• The Do’s and Don’ts of Networking by Monika Jansenhttp://www.networksolutions.com/smallbusiness/2011/02/the-do%E2%80%99s-and-don%E2%80%99ts-of-networking/