Benefits of Networking

The discipline of networking is centered around forming professional connections with potential collaborators, who you’re interested in working with at some point in the future. Learning to master this skill affords you the opportunity to gather information outside your immediate circle of knowledge, as well as to put your ‘foot in the door’ at new companies.

It should be stressed, however, that networking is less so about asking for a particular job or internship; rather, it helps you gain insight on a wider area of knowledge.

• There is no set medium through which people network.
• Whether by phone, email, in person, or elsewhere, the real focus lies in connecting people together, however that may tend to look.

Ultimately, if you’ve already established yourself at a company, and feel comfortable with the state of your career, you may be wondering the reasoning behind why you should even bother to network in the first place.

• And while at face value, that’s a reasonable question to ask, the benefits to networking truly are numerous…

1.You'll gain a taste of what potential there is for growth

• Closing your mindset off to one particular company or industry has a way of narrowing your field of view, thereby making it difficult to truly gauge a need for growth.
• Networking, however, offers a solution to this problem, by hinting at how it might be like to work at other companies.
• The true value in networking comes into play through the fact that you don’t need to make any final decisions to explore new opportunities.

2.Offers connections to higher-caliber positions

• According to recent studies, as much as 75% of job offerings go unadvertised.
• Considering the existence of this “hidden job market”, forming connections which transcend crowded job boards or spammy advertisements has become a vital skill to 21st century professionals.

3.You'll gain a taste of what potential there is for growth

• Above all, one of the cornerstone characteristics of accepted applicants is showing unique qualification.
• Getting to know off-the-beaten-path success stories with help you to distance the content of your resume from generic or overused qualifications.

Identifying Contacts

There is no limit set to restrict who you’re allowed to network with. That said, some contacts may provide you with greater growth opportunities than others. To understand the nuances of this gray area, try to ask yourself who aligns most directly with your vision of success.

While co workers, professors, internship supervisors, or professional speakers may very well constitute your definition of a good contact, there is no harm in branching out even further.

• Services such as LinkedIn are designed around the guise of this mindset.

Additionally, you may consider exploring Alumni Career Service Centers, which, much-like LinkedIn, connect you with networking opportunities.

• The advantage that comes into play with a more personalized service has to do with credibility.
• It’s more likely than not that a fellow alumni from your university will offer a similar, professional outlook.
• An overlap in education experience will help to ‘break the ice’ when starting conversation with another alumni.

There is no shame in trying to form connections with higher-ranking professionals.

• In fact, branching out your web of contacts to industry leaders may help you to get your ‘foot-in the door’ at top-of-the-line or ground-breaking projects.
• It’s more likely than not that a fellow alumni from your university will offer a similar, professional outlook.
• Just make sure to show humility in the process, avoiding inflating your accomplishments too heavily.

Having asked yourself the aforementioned questions, you should now be prepared to fill out a list of contacts. Realistically, you may only expect to advance with a third or fourth of the professionals listed. Even still, clearly outlining such information will help to save you time.

Before Reaching Out

1.Understand the larger context of your employment history

• Before the networking process formally begins, you must have a basic understanding of your own skills, interests, and needs.
• Be prepared to elaborate on your employment history: who you’ve worked with, what problems you’ve solved, and the impact you’ve made on your industry as a whole.
• Identifying such information will help you think about how your strong suits may translate to success in a specific career field or new position.

2.Research potential contacts

• Showcasing your respect and interest in another professional's work history will signal your compatibility in being able to work with them.
• In addition, it goes to demonstrate your dedication in seeking out a particular position. We recommend covering a few separate bases: namely, their career path, background, and current company.
• Educating your mindset will allow you to take more from the conversation, being able to make insightful connections with whomever you’re speaking to.

3.Prepare a list of questions

• Of course, you may not want to appear as though you’re reading from a script or you’re closely analyzing the other person, but even still, preparation is a virtue.
• Prepare some general (and unscripted) prompts to go over throughout the course of your conversation relating to their employment history and career field in general.

Here are some samples of potential questions you may consider asking:

What were your major responsibilities as a [job position] at [company]?
What are the major stress factors in your industry?
What are your career goals for the future?

Email Correspondence

Once you feel comfortable with advancing the networking process further, the next step will of course be to initiate conversation with your list of contacts. The email provides a communication alternative emphasizing brevity and non-involvement.

• If you’re trying to break the ice with someone knew, or haven’t had the chance to get to know them well, we would recommend straying away from face-to-face contact and exploring a digital communication network, such as LinkedIn or through email.

Your email should meet the guidelines of a few general themes…

To properly format the content of your email correspondence, we’ve laid out a sample for you to base inspiration around:

Dear [formal greerting],
My name is [name], working as a [job position] for [years of experience]
running. Ever since my graduation from [college] in [graduation year], I’ve
served positions at [companies] to peak my interest in the [industry] industry.

After [way in which connection was established], I was reminded of your
expertise in the [contact’s industry] industry. Your knowledge in
[1-3 skills possessed] aligns with my interest in exploring [new technical skills].

I would like to arrange a time to discuss our background, employment history,
and any other experiences you’re interested in sharing. My perspective on
[industry] may also help to reshape your understanding of [1-3 of contact’s skills],
leaving me to believe the exchange to be mutually beneficial. Thank you for
your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Name]

Stray away from overly generalized or “cookie-cutter” summary statements. This crucial component allows you to sum up your entire resume in 2 or 3 sentences; make them count. Most employers will take only 1 or 2 minutes to scan through a resume, often times only looking through as far as the summary statement to finalize their judgement.

Behavior During Networking Events

Serving as an alternative to email or LinkedIn communication, networking events and in-pitch interactions are perhaps the most daunting mode of communication. Even still, learning how to properly orient yourself in these situations is really what the core of the situation amounts to.

1.Dress professionally

• In the case that you’re attending a professional event, be sure to reflect your respect by your style of dress.
• An overly casual outfit may send the signal of disregard for the formality of the venue.

2.Stay on your best behavior

• Yes, while of course you’re an adult and mature behavior has most certainly become a natural for you at this stage in your life, poor attention-to-detail can skyrocket a situation out of control.
• Make sure you’ll allowing the person with whom you’re speaking to finish what they’re saying, while at the same time showing grace and courtesy.
• Demonstrate an interest not only in what they’re saying, but also to their wider qualification and knowledge of their industry.

3.Use the questions you’ve prepared

• Choking in the heat of the moment is more prone to happening during face-to-face contact, so we don’t blame you for slipping up and forgetting to mention the questions you’ve prepared.
• Regardless, try to be mindful to the research you’ve previously spent the time on and incorporate this information into your speaking.
• Bringing up such details will provoke interest and showcase your attention to detail

4.Propose a reason to stay in touch

• You must remember that networking goes beyond simply making contacts; in fact, it’s all centered around forming lasting connections.
• What specific conversation points did your contact mention?
• How can you further that discussion?
• Listen closely to what other suggestions they have for you, and follow up your next responses centered around those details.

5.Thank them for their time

• Even while trying to maintain a casual and non-forced conversation, showing respect for the other conversation member is a no-brainer.
• Thank them for engaging the conversation with you, and demonstrate your humility.

Focus on Building Relationships

Relationship building is all about stretching out a conversation over the course of an extended period of time. Directly following your first networking-based encounter with a contact, send them a thank you note within 24 hours.

There is no telling when the next opportunity will afford itself to retain contact with your new networking partner. With that said, take advantage of the closeness of your recent interaction to re engage with them.

To properly format the content of your email correspondence, we’ve laid out a sample for you to base inspiration around:

Dear [formal greeting],
After having taken the opportunity to reflect on your advice, I'd like to greatly
show my appreciation for your interest in helping me explore [position
or industry you’re learning about]. While I understand you’re extremely
busy, staying in touch with one another may prove to be a valuable networking asset.

I’ve already heeded your advice on [advice], reading over [recommendation]
and speaking with [person]. I do believe your insight on [knowledge] could be
helpful in [refer to specific idea you read about].

I’ll follow up by contacting you as my progress in learning about [industry]
continues to develop. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
[Name]

Aside from the contact to whom you recently spoke, if you were referred to any leads or other contacts, be sure to introduce yourself to them as well.

• It is important to demonstrate interest in the offers proposed by networking partners, as doing so affords the opportunity to elongate previous conversation points out further.

Networking stands to be a powerful tool in the job search process.

• With that said, by reaching out to a range of conducts, and conquering any demons blocking you from garnering the confidence to reach out to others, you should be well on your way to reinventing your professional identity!