Networking

View our online networking workshop at http://www.stpaulcareers.umn.edu/workshops.html.

Have you ever asked a friend for a tip on a good class or professor?  What about trying to get information on someone you are interested in dating?  This is networking!  Whether you think of it that way or not, all of us have engaged in networking.  Applying these same skills to your job search can have a great impact.  Below are a few concrete steps for networking in your job search:

1.  Create your Elevator Speech

An “elevator speech” is your 30 second commercial for yourself.  Telling people about your education, experience and job target.  “I am just finishing a degree in graphic design.  I have recently been completing a graphic design internship in the Department of Recreational Sports at the University.  I hope to find a graphic design position in a local community recreation center or a health club.”  Share this “elevator speech” with everyone you encounter, people may quickly offer you suggestions and job leads.

2.  Identify Networking Contacts

Another important step in networking is to make a list of contacts and acquaintances who might be able to help you with your job/internship search.  This list should include everyone you feel comfortable talking to even if they have no experience in your field of interest…the point is they may know someone in your job target area.  Use the Networking Contacts Log Handout to help you develop a list of people to talk to about your career.

3. Call Contacts

Calling your contacts and acquaintances is your next step.  When you call, tell them that you are looking for a job or internship in X field and/or in X type of organization.  Ask if they know anyone who does this type of work and collect names/phone numbers.  Ask if you can reference their name when you call.

4. Identify Alternate Ways to Find Contacts

In some cases, all of your contacts with family, friends, neighbors and faculty members do not stir up contacts in your field of interest.  In those cases, research possible employers via professional associations, newspaper articles, yellow pages, trade journals and cold calls to organizations.

5.  Calling Potential Employers

Take the professional contacts you have received and call them individually.  If this makes you nervous, start with the least promising lead and practice with them first.  When you reach the contact tell them the following: your name, how you got their name, why you are calling – we encourage you to ask for a 30 minute face to face meeting (informational interview) to ask about possible openings in their organization and to learn more about the field and their company. (Even if they don’t have openings, there is still tremendous value to meeting.)

6.  Conduct Informational Interviews

This is a final critical step to meeting people in the field.  To get a detailed overview of how to schedule and conduct an informational interview click on Informational Interviews.