1. Networking Your Most Important Job-Search Technique Sponsored by Jump into the Job Search Career Center ♦ Lucina Hall 220 www.bsu.edu/careers

2. Workshop Objectives 1. To learn how networking works in the job-search process. 2.To describe success rates of various job-search strategies. 3. To outline the steps used to build your network. 4. To identify network contacts.

3. Definition of Networking Making use of contacts to gather information, identify significant opportunities, and help make important career connections.

4. Purposes of Networking  To gather information and advice  To receive help about your job search  To obtain referrals

6. Success Rates of Job-Search Strategies  If... you only use creative marketing = 1-2% success rate.  If... you only attend job fairs= 1-3% success rate.  If... you only use your college or alumni for job leads = 3-5% success rate.

7.  If... you only use the unemployment / workforce development system = 3-5% success rate.  If... you only answer classified ads = 7-10% success rate.

8.  If... you only use recruiters, headhunters, or private employment agencies = 3-12% success rate.  If... you only use the Internet = 5-15% success rate.

9.  If... you only use targeted marketing = 35-65% success rate.  If... you only use new contact development = 25-50% success rate.  If... you only use networking = 35-70% success rate.

10. Most successful single method = 70%

11. Before you go, plan!  Decide exactly what kind of a position or career you want.  What do you have to offer?  What are your favorite skills?  Decide exactly where you want to work.  Explore your opportunities through research.  Conduct informational interviews.

12. Learn  Conduct an informational interview.  Follow up appropriately.  Keep good records.

13. Pursue  Go after the organizations that interest you the most.  Use members of your network to identify contacts.  Identify the person with the power to hire you.

14. Identify Contacts  Faculty  Students  Friends  Former employers  Former co-workers  Family  Social contacts  Chamber of Commerce  Young professionals groups  Social organizations  Professional associations

15. Resources  Career and Experiential Learning Lab  Lucina Hall 235, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.  Vault  http://www.bsu.edu/students/careers/secure/vault  Cardinal Career Link  http://www.bsu.edu/webapps/viewjobs/Default.asp  Links to Explore  http://www.bsu.edu/students/careers/students/recommended/  Career Management Action Plan  http://www.bsu.edu/students/careers/cmap

16. Resources Advising  Drop-in Advising (Lucina Hall 220) M,T,W: 1-3 p.m. Th,F: 10 a.m.-noon  Advising by Appointment (765) 285-2430

17. Opportunities

18.  Questions  Evaluation