NETWORKING 101 There’s more to it than updating your LinkedIn profile!

WHAT DOES A COLLEGE PROFESSOR KNOW ABOUT NETWORKING FOR A JOB SEARCH?

BA English, State University of New York at Albany WTEN-TV, Albany, NY KXTV-10, Sacramento. CA WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA Norfolk, VA

MS & PhD, Technical Communication, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Technical Writing Co-op, Albany, NY Dissertation on socialization of writers at work

NC State University Department of English Associate Professor & Internship Coordinator

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM  Undergraduate course on  Career options  Job search strategies  Application processes  Graduate course on  Career options  Role of writing and writers in the workplace

5 Steps & 50 Tips

START YOUR CAREER Step 1: Identify your skills and strengths Step 2: Envision a satisfying worklife Step 3: Research potential jobs Step 4: Create a network Step 5: Prepare for the application process

HOW MANY OF YOU...  Are actively looking for your first job in technical communication?  Are actively looking to make a move within the field?  Are happy with your current position but open to new possibilities?  Are...?

WHY NETWORKING IS IMPORTANT  More than 70% of people land jobs through networking (NPR)  80% of today’s jobs are landed through networking (Recruiting Blogs) (for all of you!)

 Up to 80% of jobs are found through networking (New Business Networking)  Most jobs in the United States are filled via an internal move or networking. This was true for 58 percent of active candidates and for an astonishing 81 percent of passive candidates. (Careers Now/Chicago Tribune)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO NETWORK? HOW DO YOU PREPARE? WHERE CAN YOU NETWORK?

NETWORKING BASICS  Use your family and friends as networking sources.  Create and practice your elevator speech.  Produce a personal business card.  Create a profile on LinkedIn.

 Use your campus organizations.  Join a local professional organization.  Build a network within your community.  Go to job fairs.

 Go to talks given by local business people.  Join your alumni association.  Stay in touch with your major department and professors who know you well.

 Do volunteer work.  Make your volunteer work relevant to your career goals.  Tell everyone you meet what you would like to do.

HOW MANY OF YOU ENJOY NETWORKING? WHY DO PEOPLE RESIST NETWORKING?

NETWORKING PHOBIA  They see it as asking for a favor.  They’re afraid of rejection.  They don’t think it’s effective.  They aren’t comfortable talking to people they don’t know.  They want to do it on their own.

 They’re uncomfortable talking about themselves.  They don’t want other people to know their business.  They don’t know how.  They want instant results.  They think it’s too much work to keep at it. Barbara Sofani, Career Solvers

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE NETWORKING MORE COMFORTABLE?

OVERCOMING NETWORKING PHOBIA  If you don’t like talking to/approaching strangers at networking events  Take a friend  Look for someone who is alone  Get a drink (and talk to people in line at the bar)  Don’t load up on food

 Set a goal to talk to just two or three people  Be clear on your purpose  Ask questions and connect with responses  Read business cards and make notes  Offer to help those you meet  Smile  Stay in touch

ADVANCED NETWORKING  Recent research on networking and job matching  Social capital (personal relationships)  Active/Passive job matching

“The resources embedded in a person’s social networks are not reflective of social capital until they are activated through the networking process.” Steve MacDonald

THE MORE SOCIAL CAPITAL YOU HAVE, THE MORE LIKELY IT IS THAT YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT GOOD JOBS.  How do you increase your social capital? Networking!  How do you benefit from your social capital? Networking!

WISHING YOU ALL SUCCESSFUL NETWORKING! Contact me at fivestepstotherightjob.com