Does Your Pitch Need a Little Punch? Authentic Networking in the Technological Age

What Is Networking? Networking is the process of developing relationships with individuals who may assist you in reaching your professional or personal aspirations.

Effective Networking Is Purposeful. Ask yourself: What Am I Trying To Accomplish Through Networking?

EffectiveNetworkingFocusesOn Authenticity

Discovering Your Authentic Self Requires: An examination of your values, as well as your strengths and weaknesses. An understanding of the experiences that have shaped you as a professional. Reflection on what you learned from each experience. Feedback from others. Honest communication of how those values and experiences have shaped you in your profession.

Points To Ponder: Networking is a relational process, but many people approach it transactionally. If you approach it as a transactional process you will fail. People with a built in connection to you (family, friends, faculty/staff alums) are a natural starting place. Secondary level networking is just as important as primary level networking. Professional associations are your friend.

Points To Ponder: Effective networking is not dumping information on someone in the initial contact. Don’t write them your life story and don’t give them a 1 minute infomercial. – An elevator pitch is not a monologue. You can develop a tremendously effective networking contact by listening more than you talk. If you forget to say “Thank You” it will be noticed. Some of the greatest networking potential is around you right now. Who else is on this webinar?

Points To Ponder: Everyone brings something to the party, including you. If event networking is scary, go with a friend and help each other. Staying in touch is important. Holidays are a great way to do so. So is connecting with someone on LinkedIn and seeing if anything new is happening with them.

A Word About Technology : It can provide a larger quantity of networking contacts, but has no impact on the quality or authenticity of the interaction. That’s entirely up to you. We live in an age with a presumption of privacy that does not mirror reality. That pertains to both mobile phones and social media. Don’t believe me? Google the words, “Facebook” and “Fired.”

3 Excellent Networking Tools Available To Alumni Through iCareers: Alumni Directory CareerShift LinkedIn

Questions? Feel free to contact Ithaca College’s Office of Career Services at any time Office of Career Services 101 Muller Center

Want To Learn More? Ithaca College now hosts a monthly series of webinars that cover a broad range of career-related topics, such as networking, career development, social media, personal branding, and more. The webinar series features our very own IC experts as well as delivers the nation's top career authors and experts right to your computer, phone, or tablet. You can also view past webinars at any time on demand in the Events Library. Here’s a link to the career webinars web page where you can find out more and register: