Networking Strategies

Networking refers to the process of developing and maintaining contacts.  You may be surprised to know that a network of contacts exists in the many facets of your life: relatives, friends, neighbors and professors, etc.  The more people you can connect with in the course of your job search, the broader your network, and the more likely you'll find the job you truly want.  Networking comes down to talking to people and building relationships. 

Networking can:
· Help you focus on your choice of major or career- talk to those in your field of interest.

· Give you advice about your job search: How to make the best connections? Is there a special type of resume to use? Where to find job leads in a tight industry?

· Validate your choice of career - learn about the pros and cons from those in the field.

· Practice your interviewing techniques - you will have an informal opportunity to explain your career goals by talking to a variety of contacts.

· Uncover information on a specific employer

To begin a network you need to let people you are close to know that you are job hunting.  You should also begin to research the career field that you are interested in, and then begin to ask for names.  Any contact within an organization is a starting point.  That person will be able to connect you to someone else who might give you the name of the individual in a decision making position.  A great website to visit for lists of associations by career area is www.weddles.com .

Informational Interviews are a good way to do your research and get your foot in the door.  If you are interested in a specific field, but you are not sure what is involved, or how to break in, an informational interview with a professional is a great place to start. By setting up a number of informational interviews you will begin to clarify what you have to offer an employer and you will be able to develop a presentation style. 

Prior to the informational interview ask yourself the following:
· What are your greatest accomplishments? What are the skills you used, how these skills would serve you in the workplace?

· What interests you professionally and personally?  What courses and activities do you enjoy?  What courses or activities do you not want to revisit?

· What are your values?  Are you looking to help others?  Do you need to be in a creative environment?  Do you prefer to work on a team or independently?  Is the main drive salary?

As you prepare to meet with an employer/contact have answers to the questions above.  You should write down questions for the meeting covering all of your interests, no mater how simple they may seem. 

Before you go for the informational interview do the following:
· Research the career field to the best of your ability and have specific questions written down.  Understand how your abilities, skills and values fit with this particular field.

· Bring a few copies of your resume, on bond paper, so your contact will have a clear picture of your experience.  You may be asked to leave a copy for a fellow employee or recruiter. 

· Wear conservative clothes, if it is a corporate setting a suit is appropriate.  If it is a creative business wear, a simple  "business casual" outfit.  You can only make a first impression once.

Questions to ask at the informational interview:
· General questions related to the field of work - job availability, employment outlook, what skills are needed, how does one break into the field?

· Employer specific questions - what types of services are provided, what areas of the company seem to have the most growth potential, are there training programs offered?

· Specific questions for your contact person- what does someone with your specific job do, what has been your career path, are there other related fields to look into?

· Office Culture and Organizational questions - what type of atmosphere is in the company, is it formal or casual, what values are most treasured, what is the company vision statement?

· Ask for referrals to others in similar fields, or organizations.

Within 24 hours of your meeting write a Thank You Letter to the interviewer.  Thank them for their time, and remind them of one or two topics that you discussed in the interview.  If they gave you a name of another contact, thank them and let them know later what happens with that connection.

Keeping a journal of your networking activity is easy and invaluable.  Maintain a journal or database with names, addresses, phone, email and fax information.  Keep track of contact dates and brief descriptions of topics discussed.  List new contact information.