Using Columbia Career Connections (CCC): A Guide to Networking.

Using Columbia Career Using Columbia Career Connections (CCC):Connections (CCC):

A Guide to NetworkingA Guide to Networking

OverviewOverview

What is networking? What is networking? Why is it effective?Why is it effective?Building a networkBuilding a networkOnline networkingOnline networkingUsing CCCUsing CCCNext StepsNext Steps

What is Networking?What is Networking?

Making ‘informal’ contact or buildingMaking ‘informal’ contact or buildingrelationships with others to gain:relationships with others to gain:

knowledgeknowledgeadviceadviceinformationinformationinside informationinside informationfurther contactsfurther contacts

Why is networking effective?Why is networking effective?Provides invaluable information, support and Provides invaluable information, support and advice throughout the career exploration advice throughout the career exploration processprocessGives you effective job search tips from an Gives you effective job search tips from an insider perspectiveinsider perspectiveAllows you to gather feedback on job Allows you to gather feedback on job applications from someone who may actually applications from someone who may actually hire for the job you wanthire for the job you wantGives you further contact names who might Gives you further contact names who might know of opportunitiesknow of opportunities

Building a networkBuilding a network

Preparation- research yourself and/or an Preparation- research yourself and/or an industry of interest;industry of interest;Awareness- What are you looking for? A Awareness- What are you looking for? A job? To learn more about a career path or job? To learn more about a career path or industry? Company information?industry? Company information?Action- Who will be the best help to get you Action- Who will be the best help to get you the information you need?the information you need?

Building a NetworkBuilding a Network

Develop a networking strategyDevelop a networking strategy– What questions should you ask? How will What questions should you ask? How will

these differ depending on who you talk to?these differ depending on who you talk to?– How will you use the information you get? How will you use the information you get? – What are your goals from the networking What are your goals from the networking

process? process?

Benefits of working with Columbia alumni

Share existing connection (i.e. Core Curriculum; dorms; etc) Alumni want to maintain ties to alma mater, often want to give back Alumni have volunteered to be a resource for you

Online networking- how is it different?

Greater access to a wider variety of people “Break the ice” before meeting someone in person Not as intimidating as face-to-face contact

Online networking- Protocol Identify:- how you found them- your school and year of graduation- your current status (career search)- what you are asking for- how you would like to move forward Do not send resume right away Request a follow-up to this email, via phone or email

Typical Pitfalls Not doing your research beforehand Sending your resume too early in the communication Forgetting that proper etiquette still matters when networking online

How to avoid common pitfallsHow to avoid common pitfalls

You feel uncomfortableYou feel uncomfortable

Rude responsesRude responses

You ask for a job and the conversation endsYou ask for a job and the conversation ends

Failing to send thank you letters and/or Failing to send thank you letters and/or follow-upfollow-up

Poor record keepingPoor record keeping

Networking cannot replace researchNetworking cannot replace research

Appropriate Online NetworkingAppropriate Online Networking

Always maintain professionalism and remember Always maintain professionalism and remember your purpose for using CCCyour purpose for using CCC

- Risk removal from the system if “appropriate” - Risk removal from the system if “appropriate” networking is not adhered tonetworking is not adhered toRespect in communicationRespect in communication

- Alumni preferencesAlumni preferencesSpecific features of online networking- searchable Specific features of online networking- searchable database, direct communication, eliminates database, direct communication, eliminates traditional form of “schmoozing”traditional form of “schmoozing”

Following UpFollowing UpRespect the time and effort your Respect the time and effort your networking contacts have made to assist networking contacts have made to assist you. you.

• Thank you letters and follow-up Thank you letters and follow-up • Be gracious, respectful and do not call Be gracious, respectful and do not call

them too frequently, late at night (past them too frequently, late at night (past 8:00PM) or early in the morning.8:00PM) or early in the morning.

Develop an efficient method for keeping Develop an efficient method for keeping records of your networking efforts.records of your networking efforts.

Final TipsFinal Tips

Taboo subjects (politics, the war etc.)Taboo subjects (politics, the war etc.)

Do not ‘over share’Do not ‘over share’

Treat it as an interviewTreat it as an interview

Try to address people by their nameTry to address people by their name

*Studies repeatedly show that over 50% of *Studies repeatedly show that over 50% of all jobs are found through networking. all jobs are found through networking.

Accessing CCC

Using CCC

Using CCC

Center for Career EducationCenter for Career EducationEast Campus, Lower LevelEast Campus, Lower Level

(212) 854-5609(212) [email protected]

http://www.careereducation.columbia.edu

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