Networking for Professional Development

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Networking for Professional Development
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Definition of Networking
noun 1. a supportive system of sharing
information and services among individuals and
groups having a common interest. Networking is
making links from people we know to people they
know, in an organized way, for a specific
purpose, while remaining committed to doing our
part, expecting nothing in return. Donna
Fisher and Sandy Vilas, Power Networking
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Networking Involves

• Establishing goals.
• Analyzing the type of assistance you will need to
  achieve your goals.
• Developing your people skills.
• Building and cultivating your network.
• Maintaining your network through the years.

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Networking Facts

• People love to give advice
• People like being thought of as experts
• Networking is not just asking for help, but
  agreeing to be helpful in return.

• 75 of people get their jobs through networking.
• Many positions are filled before they are even
  posted!
• People like to be heroes

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The Law of 250

• Every person knows at least 250 other people.
• Each of your contacts knows at least 250 people.
  So thats 62,500 at your 2nd level.
• Each of your 2nd level contacts knows 250 people
  - and thats over 15,000,000!

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4 Layers of Separation
You
Level 1 Contact
Level 2 Contact
Level 3 Contact
Level 4 Contact
Your Friend Alice
Alices Uncle Bill
Bills Friend Carol
Carols Boss David
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Corollary to Law of 250

• It is typically not your first level contact that
  eventually hires you - in fact, youll probably
  find that the hiring contact may be 2, 3 or 4
  levels deep.
• Some sociologists have found that acquaintances
  are more likely than family members to give
  individuals direct information and to recommend
  them for opportunities.
• Mark Granovetter, The Strength of Weak Ties

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Potential Level 1 Contacts

• Family/Friends
• Friends of Family/Neighbors
• Classmates/Alumni
• Contacts from Special Interest Groups (e.g.,
  Sorority, Fraternity, Student organizations)
• Members of your religious congregation
• People dependant upon networking (e.g., realtors,
  insurance agents)

• Former employers/co-workers
• Recruiters/employers who give presentations on
  campus.
• Other job candidates
• LUC Alumni Sharing Knowledge (LUC-ASK)
• Professional Associations
• Contacts in the Career Center
• Former teachers, current professors and staff

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First Steps!

• Assess your own interests, skills, knowledge
  areas, and personal attributes. Take stock so you
  can speak about yourself with enthusiasm.
• Research information about your potential network
  contact and his/her field.
• Decide what information you would like to obtain
  from your contact and prepare a list of questions
  you would like to have answered (see Guide to
  Informational Interviewing for sample
  questions).
• Remember that you are representing yourself and
  Loyola as a whole.

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What NOT To Do

• Do not ask for a job or internship (ask for
  advice, information, and other contacts).
• Do not spam with multiple e-mails or stalk with
  multiple phone calls.
• Do not act unprofessionally or negatively.
• Do not ask your contact to mass distribute your
  resume.
• Do not share their contact information with
  others unless you have permission to do so.

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Keep in Mind

• The same obligations and courtesies that come
  with traditional face-to-face networking apply to
  online interactions. Treat people the way youd
  like to be treated, both online and offline!
• Career-related online networking should
  eventually lead to other forms of contact like
  phone conversations or in-person meetings.
• Keep an eye out for alumni and student networking
  receptions which are also a great way to meet
  with alumni.

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Making the Initial Contact
Purpose Set up a meeting to discuss your needs,
interests and goals.

• Level 1 Contacts Call, e-mail or write a letter.
• Level 2, 3, etc. Contacts Send an Approach
  letter followed by a phone call.
• ATTACH YOUR RESUME AND INDICATE THAT ITS ONLY
  FOR REFERENCE!

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Networking (E-mail or Letter)

• Your letter should include
• A brief introduction and your affiliation with
  Loyola
• Why you are writing to this individual why you
  are interested in this field or organization
• A brief statement of your interests and/or
  experience
• That you would like to schedule a 15-30 minute
  meeting with them over the phone or in person
• That you are asking for information and advice.
• Information about arrangements for the meeting or
  call with suggested dates, times and locations.
• Proofread all of your correspondence and be
  professional in your tone. Even if this is
  already an acquaintance you should be formal
  and professional with them.

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Networking Telephone Call

• Tell them who you are, why you are calling what
  you need. Always ask if this is a convenient time
  to talk.
• Tell them you dont expect an immediate answer -
  ask if you can call them back at a later date.

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Tell Your Contact What You Need

• Ask them
• To be part of your personal NETWORK.
• For advice input.
• To recommend their tips for getting a foot in the
  door in this particular field or industry.
• To refer you to others who might be able to
  assist and give advice (ONLY if you are
  comfortable asking).

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Act Professionally!

• Be polite, respectful, and charming!
• Dress professionally for in-person meetings.
• Have 10-15 appropriate questions ready to ask for
  a half hour conversation, (see Networking
  Guidelines for examples of informational
  interview questions).
• Be prepared for the person to ask you about your
  interests and experiences.
• Be respectful of the persons time and keep the
  conversation short they will let you know if
  they have additional time to share.
• Say Thank You at the conclusion of your
  conversation!

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Follow Up After the Interaction

• Take notes after your interactions. They may be
  helpful to refer to when reflecting on your
  conversation and conducting follow-up.
• Send a thank you note within 24-48 hours either
  by email or handwritten. Include How can I help
  you in return?
• Ask yourself What did I learn from my
  conversation? How does what I learned fit with my
  own interests, abilities, goals, and values? What
  additional information would be helpful to know?

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Follow Up After the Interaction

• If your contact refers you to others, follow-up
  with them. Make sure to immediately mention your
  mutual contact and why they thought this new
  person might be helpful.
• Keep your contacts informed. If your original
  contact referred you to someone who was helpful,
  share that with her/him. Likewise, if a
  particular resource or research avenue was
  fruitful, let the person know.

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Networking Tips Techniques
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Develop Good People Skills

• Assert yourself positively and confidently.
• Ask good questions.
• Be a good listener.
• Be viewed as knowledgeable or skillful in a
  particular area.
• Show interest in being of assistance to others.

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Areas for Common Mistakes

• Voicemail / Answering Machine have a
  professional voicemail message.
• Social Networking websites Keep your profile
  professional. Many people can access your
  information, even if your privacy settings are
  set to the maximum!
• Email address again, keep it professional! Do
  not use something like cutygirl89_at_hotmail or
  johnny420_at_yahoothose will not make good
  impressions.

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Networking Business Card

• A business card creates an impression of
  professionalism and quickly provides your contact
  information.
• Business cards can be created online or at any
  printing/copy store.

• Your Name
• Description of Target Career Interest
• Home Address
• City, State Zip
• Phone E-Mail Address
• URL (optional)

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Networking Log

• Use a spreadsheet or notebook to keep track of
  contacts and what you discussed

• Contact name, title, company
• Address, Phone E-Mail address
• How you met contact
• Date last contacted
• Conversation summary
• Names of referrals
• Date of thank-you note for referrals
• Other follow up steps you took

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Keep Your Network Going

• Dont let your rolodex gather dust keep in
  touch through sending occasional emails, updates,
  links to articles, etc.
• Keep your contacts up-to-date on your progress.
• Always thank people!
• DONT STOP NETWORKING ONCE YOU GET A JOB!

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Final Thoughts

• Remember, part of networking is giving to other
  people. The best networkers know that networking
  is much more than passing around resumes. It
  involves building relationships over time...
• Jack Chapman, Build Your Network, Now!