Networking Guide

There are many aspects of networking. During exploration stages, networking can help us gather information about the types of positions and organizations you are seeking. Networking can also lead to exciting opportunities. This guide will define networking and offer strategies so that you can be informed and prepared. 

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What is Networking? 

Networking can be explained in a variety of ways. Below you will find multiple definitions and you may relate to one more than the others. 

  • 鈥淭he exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.鈥 鈥 Merriam Webster 
  • Career networking is the systematic development and cultivation of informal interpersonal contacts and relationships to: 
  • Compile information 
  • Gain as much exposure as possible in the job market 
  • Gather more names and referrals 
  • Assist others in doing the above 
  • To interact or engage in informal communication with others for mutual assistance or support; an interconnected system of things or people. 
  • Networking is the cultivation of productive relationships; the exchange of information or services among individuals having a common interest.  

Benefits of Networking 

Networking is important because鈥 

  • You can tap into the informal job market鈥 
  • Who you know can often be more important than what you know鈥 
  • Your network can help advance your career even when you have a job 

 

Networking is important because鈥 

  • You can tap into the informal job market鈥 
  • Who you know can often be more important than what you know鈥 
  • Your network can help advance your career even when you have a job 

The informal job market consists of jobs that cannot be seen, are not advertised, and are not made known to the public in a formal way. In fact, most employers prefer referrals from employees or others since they know these are more reliable. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 80% of jobs are found by candidates or filled by employers through networking.鈥疻hy is this the case? It saves employers time and money when they fill positions based on recommendations from colleagues or friends.鈥 

How can you use networking? It can be used鈥痶o鈥痵eek or give advice, learn more about a profession, industry, or company, meet like-minded individuals, learn of new opportunities and鈥痶o鈥痝ain referrals. One of the main strategies for building connections is to maintain an openness and awareness of people you encounter in your daily activities including professors, co-workers, peers, and family members.鈥 

 

When to Network and How to Identify Professionals

  • Build your network at the beginning of your college career鈥 
  • Meet as many people as you can鈥 
  • Utilize your academic breaks鈥 
  • Catch up with past colleagues during the holidays鈥 
  • Part-time work or internships during the summer and winter 鈥 
  • Take every opportunity possible 

 

  1. Begin by networking with people you know. Examples may include:
  • parents  
  • relatives  
  • friends  
  • neighbors  
  • members of professional organizations 
  • alumni  
  • teachers/professors  
  • present and former co-workers 
  • previous supervisors 
  • coaches 
  • mentors 
  • service club members 
  • social group members 
  • religious/spiritual institution members 

 

Places to find professionals to network with online: 

  • 向日葵视频's LinkedIn page, and Alumni tab for the alumni search tool:
  • 向日葵视频 Alumni Association (MUAA) page on LinkedIn: () 
  • 向日葵视频Career Network
  • Your MU Handshake profile. 

Make an appointment with a career counselor for assistance on using these tools! 

Making a Networking plan & What to Bring

Steps to take: 

  • 笔谤别辫补谤补迟颈辞苍鈥 
  • Identify what you want to learn about 
  • Know about yourself鈥 
  • Have a Target鈥 
  • Identify what types of individuals you want in your network鈥 
  • Locate opportunities to expand your network鈥 
  • Career Center networking programs 
  • Career Fairs 
  • On-campus networking opportunities 
  • LinkedIn Groups 
  • Professional organization meetings鈥 
  • Chamber of Commerce鈥 
  • Social gatherings 
  • 笔谤辞蹿别蝉蝉颈辞苍补濒颈蝉尘鈥 
  • Dress appropriately 
  • Be on time 
  • Use a firm handshake and smile鈥 
  • Represent yourself strongly鈥 using your Elevator Pitch (see section below) 
  • Ask for advice, not a job鈥 
  • Send a thank-you email afterwards 
  • Have Patience鈥 
  • Instant results are unlikely鈥 
  • Be persistent and polite鈥 
  • Avoid getting discouraged  
  • Take a break if you get overwhelmed 

 

Materials to Bring: 

  • Copies of your resume鈥 
  • The Career Center offers a maximum of 10 free resume prints on professional paper when you visit the Career Center in-person鈥 
  • Business Cards鈥 
  • The Career Center offers 30 business cards for $3. Please allow one week for completion of your order鈥 
  • Padfolio or Pad of Paper鈥 
  • The Career Center lends padfolio on a first-come-first-serve basis鈥 
  • List of references鈥 
  • Pen (at least two)鈥 
  • 蚕耻别蝉迟颈辞苍蝉鈥 
  • Good handshake, smile, and a positive attitude鈥 

Networking Methods 

Networking is a necessary tool to access the informal job market. There are multiple ways to begin your networking process.   

 

Networking In-Person:鈥 

This type of networking is taking place all the time, everywhere you go! Each person you meet presents an opportunity to build a relationship and learn more. A more formal type of鈥痠n-person鈥痭etworking鈥痬ight鈥痠nclude career fairs, employer information sessions, networking events, conferences, professional association meetings, and informational interviews.鈥 

鈥 

Online Networking:鈥 

Online networking offers access to individuals whose path you might never actually cross in real life. Utilize鈥痵ites like LinkedIn, Handshake, and other social media to locate and initiate connections鈥痺ith鈥痯eople within your field(s)鈥痮f interest.鈥疶ypically, these websites will provide you with access to a鈥痯rofessional鈥檚鈥痚mail for you to set up an informational interview (see below), or just introduce yourself.鈥疐ollow up on online conversations with in-person meetings, if possible. If that is not possible鈥痙ue to geographical constraints, try to schedule a phone call or Skype/Teams/Zoom call.鈥 

鈥 

Informational Interviews:鈥 

An informational interview is a conversation in which the job seeker requests a conversation with someone whose professional role they are interested in learning about鈥攑erhaps someone who works at a company or position of interest. As the job seeker is initiating contact with the professional, it is important to be prepared with thoughtful questions. A 30-minute conversation is an appropriate length of time to request for an informational interview, which you might initiate via email, LinkedIn message, or phone.  

 

A request for an informational interview might sound like this:  

Dear Dr. Last Name,  

I am writing in the hopes of speaking with you to learn more about your career in psychiatry. As a sophomore Biomedical Sciences major at 向日葵视频, I am in the process of researching potential career paths I may pursue after graduation. I see from your LinkedIn profile that you also studied biomedical sciences during your undergraduate career at Marquette, and I am interested to hear how you made the decision to pursue medical school and eventually the field of psychiatry. Please let me know if you would be available for a 30-minute conversation. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to speaking with you soon. If you have any questions about me or my request, do let me know.  

Sincerely,  

First Name Last Name 

  

You should come prepared with thoughtful questions so that your informational interview will be meaningful for both you and the person you are interviewing. If you do some research before your informational interview, the conversation will be more productive for both parties. Try to personalize the questions you ask based on the person you are interviewing so that they feel you have taken the opportunity seriously. Remember, you are trying to make a positive first impression with someone who might be helpful to you in your future career.  

 

Elevator Pitch:鈥 

An elevator pitch is a very concise introduction of oneself and may vary depending on the situation and type of professional. This pitch will help you initiate an intelligent and effective conversation with new professional contacts.鈥 

 

There are three pieces to an elevator pitch:鈥 

  1. Where are you now? (degree, program, year in college)鈥 
  1. Where have you been? (career-related experience, leadership experience, part-time work experience)鈥 
  1. Where are you going? (future goals)鈥 

 

If you are at a career fair, you may add:鈥 

  • What you know about the organization which shows your interest in their company specifically鈥 
  • A question to start the conversation鈥 

 

贰虫补尘辫濒别:鈥鈥 

鈥淗ello, my name is Alex. I am currently a Sophomore at 向日葵视频, and will be graduating in May of 20XX鈥痺ith my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Corporate Communication. As a student I have had the chance to gain leadership and organizational skills through my involvement as the Vice-President of the College of Communication Student Council. In addition, I have worked for two years as a server at the Annex, allowing me to gain valuable customer service experience. I am seeking an internship in the field of public relations next summer.鈥疻ould you be able to share with me鈥痑ny opportunities within your organization that might fit with my skills and experience?鈥濃 

Sample Questions to Get You Started 

Below is a list of sample questions you can ask during a networking opportunity such as an informational interview, networking event, career fair, or other appropriate situations. The questions you ask may change depending on the situation and type of professional.鈥 

 

Position Focused鈥 

  • What are your current openings?鈥 
  • What skills are you looking for in a desired candidate?鈥 
  • What are the major challenges of the position?鈥 
  • Are there advancement opportunities?鈥 
  • What does a typical day look like? 
  • What makes a great candidate as opposed to a good one? 

 

Field Focused鈥 

  • Is there a demand for people in this field?鈥 
  • What is the typical career/educational path to begin working in this field?鈥 
  • What experiences are valued for this field?鈥 
  • In your current position, what do you do in a typical day?鈥 
  • What is the culture of this field? 
  • How do people advance in this field? 
  • What are some hot topics in this field? 

 

Graduate Program Focused鈥 

  • What makes a strong application and desired candidate?鈥 
  • How does your program differ from others?鈥 
  • What are some challenges new graduate students face? 

 

Post-Grad Service Focused鈥 

  • What type of training is provided?鈥 
  • What do people typically do after they finish? 
  • What has been your biggest accomplishment during your experience? 

 

Recruiter Focused (may be used at a career fair) 

  • Are there any specific courses a student might take that would be beneficial in this field?鈥 
  • What types of training do companies give to a person entering this field?鈥 
  • What aspects of a career in this field do you consider particularly good? Particularly bad?鈥 

 

Advice/Expand Network鈥疐ocused鈥 

  • What is the best way to obtain a position which will start me in this field?鈥 
  • Do you have information on job specifications and descriptions which I may have?鈥 
  • What special advice would you give a young professional entering this field?鈥 
  • What would you recommend I be doing now?鈥 
  • Do you have any recommendations of who I could contact next?鈥