Networking in the US for International Students

©2014 Dreambridge Partners LLC. All rights reserved. 1

Networking in the US for International Students

The Wharton School University of Pennsylvania

Judy Shen-Filerman, CEO

September 24 & 25, 2014

Where Are Networking Opportunities

Career Fairs

Campus Speaker Alumni

One-on-One

©2014 Dreambridge Partners LLC


Networking Preparation and Implementation

Personal Objective

Job and Industry Research

Self-Introduction & Personal Story

Finding Networking Contacts

Setting Up the Meeting

Meeting with Your Network Contact

Post-Meeting Follow-Up


Networking Implementation

Personal Objective

Job and Industry Search

Self-Introduction / Story







Emailing and Calling Dear Mr. Riley, My name is Arjun Gupta and I’m pursuing an MBA with a finance concentration at

Wharton Business School. I am contacting you to learn more about career paths in new venture investments. I learned about you through the alumni office and have been very impressed by your career accomplishments.

Prior to my studies, I was a manufacturing process engineer, with a strong

quantitative and analytical background. I’ve always enjoyed building complex models as a means for imagining what’s possible. I’m excited about modeling and analyzing new ventures because of its criticality in optimizing investments decisions that can have high market impact. I’ve enjoyed both the technical and strategic aspects of venture investments.

I hope to have an opportunity to speak with you in the next couple of weeks, at a

time most convenient for you. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Sincerely, Arjun Gupta


Expect to Follow Up… And It’s Expected by Contacts

1. Email about your interest in job / internship, attach your resume

2. Alert them through a VM, left early or late in day (but be ready to talk if they pick up!)

3. Wait 5 days, then repeat steps 1 & 2

4. Repeat cycle 3 times, then quit for a month

5. After a month, try steps 1,2,3. If nothing, then drop



Be Ready to Pitch at All Times

My name is Arjun Gupta and I’m a first year MBA at Wharton Business School. I learned about you through the alumni office and have been very impressed by your career accomplishments. I’ve just sent you an email as I hope we can find a time to meet. Would this be a good time to talk briefly?

NO - Whom may I contact to set

up time with you?

YES How much time do you have this

morning? Go into your story, questions, ask


Networking Implementation

Personal Objective


Self-Introduction & Personal Story







Meeting with Your Contact

•  Arrive early

•  Dress professionally (dressing and grooming)

•  Be ready with small talk

•  Observe the environment

•  Observe what is showcased in his/her office


Engage Ask See-saw End

Meet & Greet Small Talk

Opening

Learning

Showcasing

Asking

Closing

Directing the Conversation

Key Phases

-  Your Key Selling Points

-  Your Questions

-  The Ask




A short, transitional dialogue in which you

share your point of view

about a topic

in a light, no-too-deep manner

to establish a relationship

or bridge to the main event

What is Small Talk?

Engage Ask See-saw End

Small Talk

Opening

Your Turn


- Traveling there -  Weather -  Location -  Building Design -  Enjoying classes

-  How can I help you?

-  Tell me something about yourself.

•  Each identify 1.  Position you are interested in 2.  Who is your networking contact (position / company)

•  Role Play ENGAGE / ASK


See-saw Learning

I’m very interested to learn how you chose this career and how it developed over the years

and… I welcome your thoughts on how I can successfully enter / grow in this profession and what are specific ways I can further develop


See-saw

Showcase


Their Questions

•  Why are you interested in this industry?

•  What relevant classes have you taken?

•  What do you think are the big issues we’re facing?

Parallel “Selling”

•  Similar to you…

•  I agree with what you were saying about

•  I’ve also been very fascinated by…

Your Questions

•  You mentioned…do you think that…

•  Why has this career been a good fit for you?

•  Highlights? Challenges?

Connect to what your contact has

been saying


See-saw Asking

Reinforce your interest in this career… “I’ve really enjoyed learning about…”

- What is your advice for someone like me who is

entering this career, given my background?

-Are there others I could speak to, to learn more about their career development


This can happen during your Learning /

Showcasing Phases

See-saw End

Summarize what you learned

Express your gratitude

End gracefully – handshake “Thank you very much for your time. I look

forward to staying in touch”



Critical Steps to Successful Networking

Personal Objective


Self-Introduction / Story



Meeting with Your Contact



Thank You Follow-ups Dear Jim, Thank you very much for taking the time to meet with me

yesterday. I learned a great deal about this industry and career and particularly enjoyed hearing about your career path.

Our conversation reinforced my strong interest in venture

financing. The initiative you mentioned, requiring global perspectives and innovation, really connected with my interest in using modeling as a means to innovation and my international background.

I look forward to speaking with the colleagues whose names you

provided. Thank you again for your time and counsel. I look forward to keeping in touch as the year progresses.

Sincerely, Arjun Gupta ©2014 Dreambridge Partners LLC


Strategies to Stay Connected


When you’ve taken action on

the advice

When you’ve talked to a

contact that was referred

Emailing a related article / case of

interest to contact

Holiday / New

Year Cards

Interview Interest (Spring)

Networking Results Take Time 5 persons

1 person

3 – 6 – 9 months



Key Takeaways

•  Networking = high ROI

•  Story > List of activities

•  Research contact = better connection

•  Navigate with EASE

•  Follow up

•  Success = vision – tenacity – taking rejections – trying again


www.dreambridgepartners.com/international-

student-resources

[email protected]


Networking in the US for International Students

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