9 Chapter 8: Networking

8.1 Network Effectively

Definition of Networking

• Networking is establishing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.
• Focus on giving rather than taking to build strong relationships.
• Quality over quantity: build strong relationships with people you know and meet new people regularly.

The Power of Networking

• People are more likely to connect you with others if they know, like, and trust you.
• Your network grows exponentially as you connect with more people.

Building Your Network

• Potential connections:
  • Friends
  • Family
  • Schoolmates
  • Professors
  • Coworkers
  • Neighbors
  • Business owners
  • Volunteers
  • Religious organization members
  • Professional societies
• Networking opportunities:
  • Family events
  • Alumni events
  • School events
  • Community events
  • LinkedIn

Benefits of Networking

• Insider information that can help improve your understanding of work and access to opportunities
• Access to opportunities (e.g. jobs) and other people
• Credibility that comes with knowing things first and knowing other credible people
• Leadership opportunities

Strategies for Effective Networking

• Genuine interest in others
• Follow up with new contacts
• Maintain existing relationships
• Leverage your network for opportunities

8.2 The Four Stages of Networking

1. Research: Research enables you to identify key things and key people with whom you should be networking.

• Identify key information:
  • Company details
  • Departments
  • Decision-makers
  • Recruiting practices
  • Company profitability
  • Competitors
  • Products and services
  • Goals
  • Challenges and trends
• Conduct thorough research:
  • Company websites
  • Google
  • LinkedIn
  • Network contacts

2. The Approach

• Warm introduction:
  • Ask a mutual contact to make an introduction.
• Cold contact:
  • Contact without having a mutual connection or previous introduction.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the company and its goals.
  • Highlight how your skills can benefit the company.
• Reconnect with old contacts:
  • Reach out to past contacts without asking for anything.
  • Focus on reestablishing the relationship.
  • Use LinkedIn to reconnect and send personalized messages.

3. The Follow-Up

• Maintain contact:
  • Follow up after initial meetings.
  • Send thank-you notes and updates.
  • Stay in touch throughout the year.
  • Don’t just contact when you need something, such as a job.
• Creative follow-up methods:
  • Share interesting articles or news.
  • Share news about yourself, offer a results update.
  • Offer congratulations or recommendations.
  • Introduce new contacts.
  • Simply say hello.

The Request

• Make a request only after completing the first three steps.
• Avoid asking for favors too soon.
• Focus on building a strong network before making requests.

8.3 Building your Network

• Focus on building genuine relationships: Aim for mutually beneficial connections, not just what someone can do for you.
• Categorize contacts to help you decide where best to spend your time: Quadrant I-High willingness to help, low relevance to job search; Quadrant II-High Willingness to help, high relevance to job search; Quadrant III-Low willingness to help, low relevance to job search; Quadrant IV- Low willingness to help, high relevance to job search.
• Prioritize high-value contacts: People who are willing to help and relevant to your job search (professors, career counselors, alumni, bosses) are most valuable.
• Don’t neglect unexpected connections: Everyday encounters (neighbors, classmates) can lead to valuable contacts through their networks.
• Be strategic with low-value contacts: While someone relevant but unwilling to help might be worth some effort, prioritize those more likely to assist you.
• Networking strategies for shy people:
  • Observe successful networkers and mimic their approach.
  • Partner with an extroverted friend at networking events. Branch out when you start to feel more comfortable.
  • Prepare conversation starters to put others at ease.
  • Don’t take rejections personally – focus on building connections with those who are receptive.
• Places to network in college:
  • Join clubs that interest you.
  • Connect with career services for opportunities and advice.
  • Build relationships with professors who might have industry connections.
  • Meet a variety of people on campus, from administrators to student workers.
  • Stay in touch with high school friends to expand your network.
• Networking with executives:
  • Participate in cross-functional teams to meet people at different levels.
  • Follow up with senior managers who impressed you at presentations.
  • Seek mentorship from a trusted advisor who can offer guidance and introductions.
• Networking with recruiters:
  • Maintain contact with recruiters even when not actively seeking a job (inform them of industry news).
  • Follow up on specific positions you’re interested in, but avoid being too persistent.
  • Research before reaching out on social media, focusing on relevant open positions.
  • Offer to refer other strong candidates to recruiters you’ve connected with.

8.4 Social Networking

Be Aware of Radical Transparency

• Radical transparency: Personal information in cyberspace, exposed through social media.
• Impact on job search: Recruiters and admissions counselors review social media accounts, often leading to negative impressions.
• Digital dirt: Clean up any unflattering information online to maintain a professional image. Ask yourself if you would be comfortable with a recruiter referencing content you have posted.

Recruiters Use Social Networks

• Recruiting tool: Many recruiters use online social networks like LinkedIn to find candidates.
• Overwhelm: Job seekers often face a multitude of options and struggle to focus.

Make a Choice and Go Deep

• Prioritize: Choose one or two platforms that align with your career goals and dedicate significant time to them.
• Time limit: Set aside a specific amount of time for online job search activities.

Offline Networking Etiquette Still Applies

• Respect: Be mindful of others’ time and write professional, grammatically correct messages.
• Engagement: Ask thoughtful questions and focus on helping others.
• Common sense: Apply the same principles of networking etiquette online as you would offline.

Social Networking Is Not Just about Networking

• Target identification: Explore detailed profiles on LinkedIn to understand job functions and career paths.
• Company and industry research: Learn about companies and industries through project information and group discussions.
• Salary data: Gather information on salary, lifestyle, and growth prospects through Q&A and group discussions.

8.5 Business Networking Cards

• Job seekers: Business cards are valuable for leaving a lasting impression and providing easy contact information.
• Stand out: Business cards can be more memorable than resumes, which often get lost in piles.
• Key information: Include name, phone number, and email address.
• Additional details: Consider adding title, program, areas of knowledge, LinkedIn URL, website, portfolio, or blog links.
• Personalization: Choose colors, styles, and designs that reflect your personality and industry.
• Branding: Add a logo or design to emphasize your brand.

8.6 Networking Case Studies

8.7 Mentoring Partnerships

A mentoring relationship involves a mentor and mentee who share a goal of professional and personal development

Mentoring myths:

• One perfect mentor: It’s okay to have multiple mentors who support you in different areas.
• Formal long-term partnership: The relationship can be flexible and tailored to your needs.
• Mentoring for junior people: People at any career level can benefit from mentorship.
• Mentoring as charity: It’s a mutually beneficial partnership where both mentor and mentee grow.

Qualities of ideal mentors:

• Trustworthy: Creates a safe space for open communication and vulnerability.
• Desire and time to help: Willingness to invest time and effort into the mentee’s development.
• Asks thoughtful questions: Challenges the mentee to think critically and identify areas for growth.
• Actively listens: Pays attention to the mentee’s communication and provides feedback.
• Provides constructive feedback: Offers guidance and support without judgment or blame.

Benefits for mentors:

• Building leadership skills: Practicing motivation and support.
• Improving communication skills: Adapting to different communication styles.
• Learning new perspectives: Gaining insights from diverse mentees.
• Advancing career: Developing leadership and communication skills.
• Gaining personal satisfaction: Helping others grow and succeed.

Benefits for mentees:

• Gaining valuable advice: Receiving insider information and guidance.
• Developing knowledge and skills: Identifying and addressing skill gaps.
• Improving communication skills: Practicing effective communication.
• Learning new perspectives: Gaining insights from a mentor’s different background.
• Building your networking: Expanding your professional network through introductions.
• Advancing your career: Receiving support and accountability for professional development.

Managing a mentoring relationship:

• Establish guidelines: Create a clear agreement outlining meeting frequency, goals, and timelines.
• Set goals: Work together to define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals.
• Set regular meetings: Schedule consistent meetings to maintain momentum and accountability.
• Be honest and open: Share thoughts and feelings openly to ensure a positive and productive partnership.

8.8 LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a social networking website with the largest online professional network in the world.

LinkedIn Profile Essentials

• All-Star rating: Complete all suggested sections to increase visibility and attract connections.
• Profile completion: Focus on skills, current position, past positions, photo, location, summary, education, industry, location, connections, and endorsements.
• Effective profile tips:
  • Targeted headline: Describe your skills and value proposition.
  • Professional photo: Use a clear, well-lit headshot with a neutral background.
  • Informative summary: Highlight skills, experience, goals, and personality.
    • Make your first two lines captivating as this is all that is displayed at first glance.
    • Write in first or third person, keeping in mind first person is seen as more direct and intimate.
    • Incorporate industry keywords to be more visible in recruiter searches.
    • Include information on your background, what you can offer, your professional goals and a call to action.
  • Detailed experience: Use STAR technique and emphasize skills and accomplishments. Experience listed can be paid, unpaid, part-time, full-time, and or seasonal
  • Showcase accomplishments: Highlight certifications, awards, and project work.
  • Education details: List post-secondary education and notable achievements.
  • Promote skills: List soft and hard skills relevant to your job goal.
  • Personalized URL: Create a unique URL for your profile.
  • Multimedia: Add photos, videos, or presentations to showcase your work.
  • Build connections: Connect with friends, classmates, professors, and colleagues.

8.9 Using LinkedIn for Your Job Search

Networking and Connection:

• Personalized invitations: To increase the likelihood your LinkedIn invitations will be accepted, tailor your connection requests with specific references or reasons.
  • Remind someone how you know them if you have met them before.
  • Let them know why you would like to connect
• Timely follow-up: Send invitations promptly to keep your presence fresh in their minds.
• Endorsements and recommendations: Request and offer endorsements to build credibility.
• Job search: Use LinkedIn’s job bank and leverage connections within companies of interest.

Building Your Profile and Network:

• Find alumni: Connect with graduates from your program to gain insights and advice.
• Conduct people search: Research career paths of employees at target companies.
• Follow companies: Stay updated on company news, job openings, and employee perspectives.
• Stay active: Regularly update your status, share content, and engage in conversations.
• Be proactive: Initiate conversations and respond to others’ posts.
• Join groups: Participate in discussions, share knowledge, and connect with like-minded professionals.
• Be reachable: Provide additional contact information and link social media accounts.
• Publicity settings: Adjust your settings to display relevant information and consider going private during profile updates.