Network To Success! Career Services, M-8 Alliant International University

What Is Networking? Developing and maintaining relationships Developing and maintaining relationships Seeking out acquaintances, advice- givers, potential mentors and friends Seeking out acquaintances, advice- givers, potential mentors and friends Systematically building on these relationships Systematically building on these relationships You already do it now! You already do it now!

Why Network? Who you know is just as important as what you know Who you know is just as important as what you know Get your name out there! Get your name out there! Get your “foot in the door” Get your “foot in the door” Build a reputation for yourself in your field Build a reputation for yourself in your field

Networking Is Reciprocal Your network on contacts is an information exchange system Your network on contacts is an information exchange system Contacts provide you with information, contacts and leads Contacts provide you with information, contacts and leads You provide contacts with information, contacts and leads You provide contacts with information, contacts and leads

How Do I Get Started? Take advantage of the campus of which you are a part Take advantage of the campus of which you are a part Start looking at who you know, and identify who out of those contacts might be a useful resource to you Start looking at who you know, and identify who out of those contacts might be a useful resource to you Tap into your existing network Tap into your existing network

Your Existing Network You FriendsFamilyProfessorsNeighborsCounselors/AdvisorsAlumni Current/Former Employers

Sources Of Networking: Informational Interviewing Identify someone in the field/industry in which you are interested Identify someone in the field/industry in which you are interested Contact them and ask if they are willing to meet for an informational interview Contact them and ask if they are willing to meet for an informational interview Prepare questions that you have regarding that particular field/industry Prepare questions that you have regarding that particular field/industry Treat the informational interview as a professional job interview Treat the informational interview as a professional job interview

Sources Of Networking: Informational Interviewing Upon arrival, greet the contact with a firm handshake and a confident smile Upon arrival, greet the contact with a firm handshake and a confident smile During the interview, pick their brain about anything you would like to know regarding the field/industry During the interview, pick their brain about anything you would like to know regarding the field/industry Ask to leave a resume with them at the end of the interview Ask to leave a resume with them at the end of the interview Send a thank you letter and keep in touch! Send a thank you letter and keep in touch!

Sources Of Networking: Professors Professors not only know people on- campus, but off-campus as well, within their field/industry Professors not only know people on- campus, but off-campus as well, within their field/industry Professors are usually members of professional associations within their field/industry Professors are usually members of professional associations within their field/industry

How Do I Approach My Professors? Visit your professor during office hours Visit your professor during office hours Arrive at class early or stay a few minutes after class Arrive at class early or stay a few minutes after class Explain that you are interested in the field/industry Explain that you are interested in the field/industry Ask “What advice or suggestions do you have for me to gain more information?” Ask “What advice or suggestions do you have for me to gain more information?” Ask if they know of anyone that you could potentially contact for an informational interview Ask if they know of anyone that you could potentially contact for an informational interview

Sources Of Networking: Clubs and Organizations Identify clubs/organizations on or off campus that relate to the field/industry in which you are interested Identify clubs/organizations on or off campus that relate to the field/industry in which you are interested Attend meetings to assess if this club/organization is something that interests you Attend meetings to assess if this club/organization is something that interests you Become a member and attend meetings regularly Become a member and attend meetings regularly

Sources Of Networking: Former Employers Always stay in touch with people you have worked with/for in the past Always stay in touch with people you have worked with/for in the past Ask former employers for any contacts whom you can contact for informational interviews Ask former employers for any contacts whom you can contact for informational interviews Check in with former employers periodically to see if they have new openings/leads Check in with former employers periodically to see if they have new openings/leads

Sources Of Networking: Alumni Visit the office of alumni relations Visit the office of alumni relations Ask for a directory of alumni Ask for a directory of alumni Utilize alliantconnect.org Utilize alliantconnect.org Identify alumni working in your field/industry of interest Identify alumni working in your field/industry of interest Contact alumni and ask for an informational interview Contact alumni and ask for an informational interview

Sources Of Networking: The Web Visit any of the popular search engines such as Yahoo or Google and start a search relating to your field/industry of interest Visit any of the popular search engines such as Yahoo or Google and start a search relating to your field/industry of interest Investigate websites for professional associations relating to your field/industry of interest Investigate websites for professional associations relating to your field/industry of interest

Final Considerations Overcome shyness by making at least one new contact a month Overcome shyness by making at least one new contact a month Get to know your classmates, they might have contacts in their networks for you Get to know your classmates, they might have contacts in their networks for you Get out of your comfort zone Get out of your comfort zone Remember- everyone networks! Remember- everyone networks!