For Students and Recent Graduates
As someone just starting your career, you may think the goal of networking is to find a job. Wipe that thought from your mind for now. Your goal is to make connections with people who are working in your field so that you may learn from their experience. Through these connections you may ultimately meet someone who can help you get a job. For now though, focus on asking for advice about the field you are entering.
What should I do if I know that a contact has a suitable opening available?
Even if you saw the ad in the classifieds and you know you'd be perfect for the job, you shouldn't mention it. Remember, you earned this contact through networking, not by reading a classified ad. (Of course, if the person asks whether you saw the ad, don't lie, but point out that you're calling as a result of speaking to so-and-so.) You want to position yourself as an industry insider who is networking around, not as just another person responding to an ad.
The Key to Networking
One of the secrets of networking is to know what you want — or at least appearing to know what you want. If, when you are making networking calls, you tell your contacts you're interested in the industry they work in and if you sound even somewhat knowledgeable about that industry, that makes you more or less an industry insider.
How do you start? Keep up to date with the industry. Read the trade publications. These are specialized journals and magazines that address the concerns of professionals in a given industry. Virtually every type of business has at least one.
It's Who You Know
Coming out of school, there's a good chance you have a very large social network. “Yeah, a lot of good that'll do me,” you may be thinking. “How can my freshman roommate help me with my career?” Your friends probably can't help you with your career directly — after all, they have no more experience than you do. But their parents or other relatives might be in a position to help you. Asking close pals to contact their relatives on your behalf is a most effective way of building a network. Be ready to reciprocate the favor.
Many colleges try to foster relationships between their alumni and their current students. Alumni often look to their alma maters to find qualified candidates to fill positions for which they need to hire. Fraternities and sororities often have gatherings where alumni and current students can get together for the purpose of networking.
Professors can also be a valuable resource when it comes to expanding your network. They probably come into contact with experts from their respective fields regularly and some, particularly adjunct faculty members, may have full-time jobs in their respective fields in addition to teaching. Ask them about their associates. This will help you add to your network.
A Sample Networking Conversation
When talking to a new contact, be sure to drop names that will be meaningful to the person to whom you're speaking. Always let your contact know who gave you his name — for example, “Ally Kendreck suggested I call you.” If you've been in contact with a well-known person in the field, make that known, too. As you continue networking, you'll find yourself dropping names of other people in your network. Don't be uncomfortable with this; this is the way it's done.
Here's a sample of what your networking conversations should sound like:
You then call the attorney, immediately identifying who referred you:
Keep the momentum on your side by offering to follow up yourself:
If a networking contact seems reluctant, you could redirect the conversation in this way:
If your contact is hesitant to give any names out without seeing in person that you're a polished, professional individual, you may be able to overcome some of that reluctance by setting up a face-to-face meeting. This technique also gives your contact the opportunity to think of some more names of people he can refer you to.
Career Fairs
Career fairs are another great, often overlooked, job-hunting resource. These organized gatherings of representatives and hiring managers from various companies afford you the opportunity to introduce yourself and often interview on the spot. Since putting a face and personality to a resume is a crucial part of decision-making in the hiring process, going to a career fair is a proactive way to get your foot in the door.
At career fairs you are given the chance to exhibit your skills, enthusiasm, and experience to many companies all in one day at one location. Some of these companies will have specific openings to fill. In addition, a job fair can save you time and money that would have been spent sending out multiple resumes by mail or waiting for advertised openings.
Many career fairs are industry-specific. For instance, you can find fairs that specialize in the high-tech, sales and marketing, or health care fields. Others are simply labeled “professional,” and consist of representatives from a wide variety of industries.
Upcoming career fairs are often advertised in newspapers and online through job-hunting Web sites.
Here are tips to help you maximize your success at a career fair:
Dress the part: Dress as you would for a formal job interview.
Bring your resume: Make sure you have plenty of copies to pass out to potential employers.
Act like a professional: Shake hands with those you meet, stand tall, and speak clearly.
Go solo: Traveling with a pack of your friends may distract you from making as many new connections as you can.
